Being a school governor
New governors
If you have recently become a school governor you should let us know by contacting governors@manchester.ac.uk.
Your details will be added to the school governor database which keeps a record of all known governors within the University. Your email address will also be added to the UMSGI listerv which ensures you receive all relevant information and updates directed at school governors.
UMSGI network
We have an active internal network for staff who already volunteer as governors. The network meets three times a year and the lunchtime forums help you to find out more about pertinent issues, learn from other governors and share best practice in order to maximise the impact you have on schools. We also have regular guest speakers to help boost your knowledge and aid your professional development. All governors are welcome and meetings will be advertised at least four weeks in advance.
Annual conference
There are no scheduled conferences for 2022
Additional leave
Being a governor will sometimes require you to be away from the University for short periods of time to attend the school for meetings, committees, interviews and Ofsted.
To make the process of taking time off for this purpose more straightforward there is a HR Policy to cover time off for public duties. Please read the policy and we also advise that you speak to your line manager (where applicable) when you become a governor so that they are aware of potential unplanned time off. The University allows up to 5 days leave per year for governor meetings.
Personal & professional development
It goes without saying that as a governor you are an essential asset in the wider leadership of the school and offering your skills and knowledge to your school is a fantastic and rewarding way to contribute to the school's future success. Schools could not perform effectively without the skills and support of their board members and governing bodies are critical to the Ofsted rating of all schools.
As a governor you will also develop a whole range of skills. These may be soft skills such as improved communication, listening, patience, diplomacy but equally you could hone some specific new skills such as finance and data skills, chairing of meetings, and health and safety.
Governor learning log
Whatever skills you use or develop as a governor we want you to be able to evidence that as part of your personal and professional development. The governor learning log is a tool that you can complete as you go along your governor journey, it is best used to record details of any meetings, conferences or issues you have dealt with and reflect on the skills you displayed at the time. We encourage all our governors to use this document as part of the P&DR process with your line manager and use these skills in any future job applications.
Please download a copy and keep a file of all your learning.
Governor skills & experience survey
Every two years we ask governors to take a short skills and experience survey so we can look at how govenors feel they are developing and how we can support you more.
In 2021 we carried out a 10 year report about the impact of our School Goveror Initiative. The report can be read here
You can also read the web pages which explain more about the work here