THE CAREER-boosting benefits of becoming a school governor are being highlighted in a new recruitment campaign.—East Sussex County Council, 10 October 2018
School Governors: Campaign to encourage professional people to consider signing up for voluntary role
East Sussex County Council is hoping its ‘I’m a Governor’ campaign will encourage professional people to consider signing up for the voluntary role in which they can gain useful experience.
“There are so many benefits to becoming a school governor,” said Cllr Bob Standley, the county council’s lead member for education and ISEND.
“As well as contributing to the future of young people in the local community, volunteers can gain experience of being on a board, setting strategy and financial planning, and develop skills that can help boost their careers.”
The desire for children in Peacehaven to have the best possible education and a long history with Meridian Community Primary School drove Edward Dunn to become a school governor.
“I went to Meridian myself, my daughter goes to Meridian, and I felt I wanted to be involved in the school to help positive outcomes for the children of Peacehaven,” he said.
“I feel like I am making a difference by being a governor by introducing a strong strategic vision for the school and making sure that the school has a really good ethos.”
Working in the procurement sector, Ed feels his role as a governor has helped him in his career.
“It has given me a different way of looking at things,” he said. “I work in procurement and work closely with children’s services colleagues, being a governor has let me get a better insight in my area of work.
“You get many different types of training when you’re a governor; you get induction training and different training depending on your role. I have really gained a lot by being a governor.”
With 15 per cent of school governor places in local authority maintained schools across East Sussex being vacant at any one time, the county council is keen to encourage as many people as possible to look into applying.
“You don’t have to be a parent to apply,” Cllr Standley added. “You just have to have an interest in education and between five and eight hours a month to spare.
“We are finding that employers are increasingly recognising the value of their staff becoming school governors and many now offer time off to enable them to perform their duties.”
To find out more information about the role of a school or how to apply for a vacancy at an East Sussex County Council maintained school, visit www.eastsussex.gov.uk/schoolgovernor
Photo caption
Edward Dunn: Edward Dunn, a governor at Meridian Community Primary School, Peacehaven
