DO YOU want to help improve the standard and quality of education in our schools?

If so, then Oldham Council wants to hear from you as they are looking for people to put themselves forward as school governors.

Anyone who is a legal resident in the UK and is over
18 can become a governor and you do not need to be a parent or a parent of a student at a school.

Governing bodies across the borough are made up of a broad range of talented and skilled people, including: parents, school staff, m
embers of the community, and people nominated by the local authority and sometimes places of worship.

Governors, who give of their time freely and generously, are responsible for the strategic direction and financial health and wellbeing of the school, the employment of the headteacher, senior staff and the employment of other staff.

Schools can also benefit from governors who have really strong skills in areas such as data analysis and interpretation, understanding financial accounts, business skills, managing staff and dealing with legal matters.

There are currently more than 1,000 school governors – the largest number of volunteers in the borough – and over a year there are usually have around 100 posts that need filling.

Councillor Amanda Chadderton, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills is a governor at Blackshaw Lane Primary, Royton.

She said: “Our governors have a range of different backgrounds, skills and experiences.

“They are all committed volunteers who work together for the benefit of the school and are the link between the school and the community it serves.

“Effective governors do not need to be experts in education but they do need to be committed.

“A key role is holding the school leadership team to account robustly and effectively, and to do this it is important that governors have a questioning mind and are diplomatic. They also need to be enthusiastic and a good team player.

“The most important thing is that governors have the skills to contribute, and the willingness to learn and develop their own abilities as a governor.”

Oldham Council offers a free training and development programme for new and existing governors.

So are you interested in becoming a volunteer governor? Do you have:

• the ability to form effective working relationships with fellow governors and staff?
• the ability to enquire, scrutinise, challenge and actively support the work of the senior staff of the school?
• the desire to work hard as a volunteer for the benefit of the children families and staff?
• the ability to look at issues objectively?
• the confidence to ask challenging questions and join in debate?
• the willingness to listen and make informed judgements?
• The willingness to act honestly, openly and with integrity?

The benefits of becoming a governor include:

• A chance to develop your skills in strategic management role
• The opportunity to work with a team of governors and staff in improving school performance
• Training to develop an understanding of specific school management issues
• A sense of achievement in making a difference to the school
• The pleasure of helping children and young people reach their potential

If you want to learn more about becoming a school governor log onto www.oldham.gov.uk or contact GBSupport@oldham.gov.uk or call 0161 770 1620.