Becoming a school governor

Before you register

Being a governor is an important role and it's really useful to speak to someone about it before signing up. It's a role that can be challenging and time consuming but also extremely interesting and rewarding. Information about the role can be found on the websites of Governors for Schools, Inspiring Governance and The National Governors Association. In addition, there are over 230 school governors here at The University of Manchester so please don't hesitate to ask colleagues who you know are governors about the role. You can also look at our information leaflet to find out more. 

The role

By becoming a school or college governor you will have an opportunity to broaden your skills and make an important contribution to the strategic development of a school. You may become involved in issues as diverse as site management, pupil welfare, curriculum development, HR and finance. The governing role is diverse and your involvement will vary according to the needs of the school you are placed in.

Training is usually offered locally through the school and normally provided by an external agency or the local authority.  This training aims to build personal skills and boost confidence and understanding of the role. Volunteer governors do not have to be parents, nor do they need first-hand experience of the education system. The most important attributes are enthusiasm, commitment and a desire to make a difference.

Finding a vacancy

The University will support staff in finding a placement through our partnerships with:

1. Governors for Schools, an independent charity dedicated to recruiting volunteers to serve on school governing bodies across England.

2. Inspiring Governance, a charity run by the Education and Employers Taskforce in partnership with the National Governors Association.

Staff can opt to register with one or both of these organisations in order to maximise their success in finding a volunteer role on a governing body.

Details of how to register can be found on their websites. However should you wish to make contact with them first, the contacts for the two organisations are as follows:

Governors for Schools

Emma Harris, Area Manager

Tel: 07935 829517

Email: Emma.Harris@governorsforschools.org.uk

Inspiring Governance

Helen Knowles,  North West Regional Manager

Tel: 07395831377

Email: helen.knowles@educationandemployers.org

Here is a short video to highlight why some people choose to become a school governor.