School Governor (Volunteer Role)

Job Description

This is an exciting opportunity to give back to the education community in your local area.

Many kinds of people become governors of schools. They all have a particular reason for serving on a governing body. In Pembrokeshire, we're looking for people who...

• care about teaching, learning and children
• want to be part of a team which accepts responsibility for everything a school does
• are willing to learn
• are able to act as a critical friend who supports the school but also challenges and asks questions about how the school works and the standards it achieves
• can act as a link between parents, the local community, the Local Authority and the school.

If this sounds like you, we'd love to hear from you.

The composition of a Governing Body is regulated by Welsh Government and varies according to the category of school and the size of the school. We are looking for applicants specifically interested in serving as Community Governor or Local Authority Governor.

Community Governors

These governors are appointed by the Governing Body. Community members bring their own experience or skills to the Governing Body and can act as a link with the community in which the school serves. Community governors usually live or work in the community of the school area and are committed to the good government and success of the school.

Local Authority Governors

Local Authority (LA) governors are appointed by the LA which maintains the school. LA governors may present the LAs views but they are not delegates of the LA and they cannot be mandated by the LA to take a particular view.

Skills and Experience

The Local Authority aims to appoint governors with specific knowledge, experience and skills to ensure that governing bodies have access to a broad skillset overall. Some of the key areas we are interested in are:

• Challenge and accountability
• Financial management
• Health and safety
• HR and recruitment
• Interpreting data
• Leadership
• Monitoring and evaluation
• Strategic planning

Time Commitment

A Governing Body, by law, has to meet at least once per term. This meeting is likely to take between one and two hours. Some schools have their meetings at the end of the school day, others in the early evening. Occasionally, a Governing Body may need to meet more often than this. You are also likely to be on a committee which, again, is likely to meet once per term. You must also set aside time to prepare for meetings by reading paperwork in advance and should also be prepared to attend other school events and, occasionally, to visit the school during the working day, by arrangement with the Headteacher. You may also, occasionally, be asked if you are available to serve on a statutory committee to deal with a pupil exclusion or a staff disciplinary matter.

All governors are unpaid volunteers, so you may need to check with your employer about being allowed time off for meetings. It is very important that, as well as the skills, you have the time and commitment to give to the Governing Body. The Governing Body is a team and is reliant on all members contributing fully.

To discuss the role of school governor further, please contact:

Governors' Support Services

Email: GSSadmin@pembrokeshire.gov.uk

Employment Checks

This post is subject to a DBS disclosure check.

Where it is appropriate for your role and responsibility, the personal information we have collected from you will be shared with Cifas who will use it to prevent fraud, other unlawful or dishonest conduct, malpractice, and other seriously improper conduct. If any of these are detected you could be refused certain services or employment. Your personal information will also be used to verify your identity. Further details of how your information will be used by us and Cifas, and your data protection rights, can be found by visiting https://www.cifas.org.uk/fpn.

Applicants should ensure they have the right to work in the UK before applying for a vacancy.

Safeguarding

Safeguarding and protecting children and adults at risk is a high priority for Pembrokeshire County Council. We aim to support vulnerable children and adults at risk to ensure they are as safe as they can possibly be. We are committed to ensuring their safety and will take action to safeguard their well-being. The Council's Corporate Safeguarding Policy provides a framework for every member of staff and Service within the Council, setting out responsibilities in relation to safeguarding and protecting children and adults at risk as well as the methods by which the Council will be assured that it is fulfilling its duties.

This policy applies to all Council employees and workforce, councillors, volunteers and also service providers that are commissioned by the Council. Safeguarding is everyone's business whether they work for, or on behalf of, the Council.

Support & Additional Info

• Please contact the Recruitment Team as early as possible if you're unable to apply online or require support by emailing recruit@pembrokeshire.gov.uk.

• Please note, we have a legal obligation to consider employees for suitable alternative employment if their posts are at risk; therefore prior consideration will be given to existing employees who meet the person specification and are registered on our redeployment pool.

Welsh language skills are desirable. Applications may be submitted in Welsh and will not be treated less favourably than applications submitted in English.