Would you like to join our team of committed and valued volunteers?
If you have you ever wondered how a school works or if it might benefit from your skills, experience or insight, please take a look at the FAQs below.
What is a Governor responsible for?
Ensure clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
Governors agree the school’s vision for its future – approving school policies, plans and targets for how to achieve its vision. They check on progress and review regularly the school’s strategic framework in the light of that progress.
Hold the school to account for its performance
Governors support and strengthen the school leadership and hold them to account for the day to day management of the school, including the performance of pupils and staff.
Oversee school finances
Governors make sure their school’s money is well spent and contributes to improving the education for pupils.
What Does a Governor do?
Governors work as a team. They are responsible for making sure the school provides a good quality education for all pupils.
The headteacher focuses on the operational side of running the school and governors are there to assist with the strategic decisions, supporting and challenging the school’s leadership team to drive school improvement.
Governors usually attend around 6 meetings a year, but also get involved in visits to the school. Being a school governor is a commitment and a responsibility, but offers you the chance to see first-hand the impact you can make in improving education for children in your community
Governors are at the heart of how a school operates. It's important they get things right. How they do their job effects the interests of pupils, staff and the reputation of the school in the community. Governors support and challenge head teachers by gathering views, asking questions and discussing what's best for the school.
Governors need to be committed, have the inquisitiveness to question and analyse, and the willingness to learn. They need good interpersonal skills, an appropriate level of literacy and be sufficiently numerate to understand basic data.
What is the time commitment?
The average time commitment is 5-8 hours per month, although it will vary depending on the needs of the school and the role. This includes meetings, background reading and school visits. Most governing boards hold their meetings in the evenings.
Like magistrates or members of a jury, school governors have a right to reasonable time off of work for their public duties, although this may be unpaid. Your company’s HR department will be able to tell you about its policy.
The school is a Catholic School, do I need to be Catholic?
As a priority we need foundation governors who do need to be Practicing Catholics. We will later in the year also be looking for parent governors.
Do I need a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check?
Yes. To be appointed you will require an Enhanced DBS check which the school will organise for you.
Will I need training?
We will induct you into your new governance role with access to a range of resources, training and experienced fellow governors. Do not be put off if you are unfamiliar with education – we are looking for enthusiasm and a willingness to get involved.
What is a multi-academy trust?
Your child’s school is part of Our Lady Immaculate Catholic Academies Trust, a family of 12 schools across Bedford, Northampton, Corby, Kettering and Wellingborough. Each school has its own governing body, but the Trust overall has a Board of Directors (also volunteers) where some overall responsibilities lie.
Sounds interesting, how do I find out more?
Please get in touch for further information either by calling Andrew Waterhouse by email info@olicatschools.org. We look forward to hearing from you!