Board member and governor volunteer roles

Join us in making a positive impact on young people, meeting employers’ skills needs, and supporting our communities.  Help set the strategic direction of our college, drive innovation, and support our commitment to inclusivity and sustainability.  We have two immediate vacancies and one or two further opportunities arising in 2026​.

Governors are voluntary, non-executive board members who contribute their expertise, working constructively with the executive to set strategic direction, assess performance and ensure financial sustainability. You’ll work with a dedicated team, receive training and support, and gain insights into strategic business leadership.  You’ll attend 2-3 board/committee meetings per academic term.

We’re seeking people with the enthusiasm and commitment to share their knowledge and experience to support the mission, leadership, governance of our college in an ever-evolving education environment.  We believe in the strength of a diverse governing body and welcome applicants with varied backgrounds who bring fresh perspectives.

We particularly welcome professional expertise in:

• Education – especially post-16 (FE/ HE)
• Financial oversight (commercial or public sector)
• Chairing a board or leading a complex organisation
• Legal
• Board-level governance
• Sustainability
• Property and land management

We also value experience in sectors linked to our curriculum offer or knowledge of our local and regional stakeholders.  

Read our candidate information pack for more information about the role and time commitment.

To apply for this opportunity or for an informal discussion, please visit our Governance site. 

The applications closing day is Wednesday 5 November 2025 (midnight).

Become a  Member of our Governing Body or a Co-opted Member of one of its Committees

Barton Peveril College invites applications for the voluntary, non-remunerated roles of Corporation Governor or Co-opted Member of one of the Corporation's Committees.

We seek committed individuals who possess a dedication to Sixth Form Education and the development of young people within the Eastleigh, Southampton, and surrounding areas. 

This is a unique opportunity for residents to contribute directly to the strategic direction and governance of a leading educational institution.

About Barton Peveril College

Barton Peveril College is the largest sixth form college in the country by student numbers, serving over 5,000 16-18 year olds and holding an Outstanding judgment across all four key areas by OFSTED.

Our mission is to foster a strong community committed to the highest standards of effort, achievement, and ambition, preparing students to thrive as positive citizens in a complex society. The College maintains a strong financial performance, evidenced by an "Outstanding" financial health score, which has facilitated over £30 million in strategic capital investment over the last decade.

• Students: In excess of 5,000 16-18 year olds studying A Levels and BTEC courses.

• Outcomes: More than 80% progress to Higher Education annually; the majority of the remainder enter Apprenticeships or Employment.

• Reputation: Judged Outstanding across all four key OFSTED judgments: quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management.

The Role and Responsibilities

The appointment is primarily strategic in nature, focused on providing robust oversight, direction, and scrutiny, rather than day-to-day management.

Key responsibilities include:

• Setting the College's strategic direction and ensuring compliance with all regulatory and funding requirements.

• Scrutinising performance and holding the Executive leadership team to account as a 'critical friend.'

• Engaging in discussions concerning strategic planning, financial oversight, and the monitoring of teaching and learning quality.

• Reviewing, understanding, and challenging reports prepared by the College Leadership team prior to and during formal meetings.

We are committed to appointing a diverse range of individuals. Whilst previous experience in governance is not a prerequisite, candidates must demonstrate a genuine interest and passion for contributing to the betterment of the local community and enabling students to fulfil their potential. 

Required Areas of Expertise

We welcome individuals with varied skills and experience.  At this time we are particularly interested in hearing from individuals with professional expertise in the following domains:

• Finance;

• Information Technology (particularly Cyber Security and/or Artificial Intelligence); or

• Secondary or Higher Education

Potential exists to progress to become a Committee Chair or Vice Chair of the Corporation.

Time Commitment and Logistics

Commitment

Voluntary and non-remunerated; reasonable travel expenses are reimbursed.

Term of Office

Governor: Four years; Committee Member: Three years.

Meetings

2-3 Monday evenings per term on site at the College in Eastleigh, generally lasting 2-3 hours.  Online attendance is not generally permitted but will be considered in specific circumstances.

Preparation

An estimated 2-3 hours of advance reading is required for each meeting.

Full Governors serve on the main Corporation and at least one dedicated Committee (e.g., Search and Governance, Standards, Finance and Employment, Audit). Co-opted Members serve solely on a Committee initially, with potential progression to a full Governorship within 6-12 months.

Candidates are also strongly encouraged to attend additional College events and departmental visits each term.

Application and Recruitment Process

Submission of Interest

Interested candidates should apply by submitting the following documents.

1. A brief Curriculum Vitae (CV).

2. A Letter of Interest (not exceeding 250 words) detailing suitability for the role, relevant experience, and any particular specialism or interest.

There is no fixed deadline for applications. Due to administration by volunteers, applicants should allow up to 10 working days for a response.

Recruitment Stages and Prerequisites to Appointment

All applicants will be invited to the College to meet with the Chair of Governors, the Principal, the Clerk, and an existing Governor. This process is intentionally informal, serving as an opportunity for mutual assessment and for candidates to tour the College facilities.

Safeguarding and Compliance: All appointed Governors are required to undertake an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, annual Safeguarding training, and commit to the College Code of Conduct, which incorporates the 'Seven Principles of Public Life' (Nolan Principles).

Support and Further Information

New Governors receive comprehensive onboarding and support from the College Clerk, including access to internal and external training events.

Details regarding the current Corporation and its function are available on the College website.

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Should you have a disability and require any reasonable adjustments or support during the recruitment process, please contact us confidentially to discuss the steps that can be taken. Barton Peveril College is fully committed to the principles of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion.

Come and join the Feeling Strong team! ����

We're looking for a Co-chair to lead and shape the strategic vision of Feeling Strong, Dundee’s youth mental health charity, through the next 2026 - 2029 Strategy in line with our mission and our values. In this role, you will act as one of two lead Trustee Board Members of the organisation, responsible for the agenda and actions of Trustee meetings and AGM, improving good governance, supervising the Chief Executive Officer and acting as a senior ambassador of the organisation. 

This is a voluntary, fixed three-year term governance role, requiring attendance at six meetings per year, and monthly support sessions held in Dundee (Block 5, 2 Seabraes Lane, Dundee, DD1 4NX).

Training and induction will be provided so we are open to all candidates, and we expect them to develop skills once in post, but we would welcome candidates with any of the following experience:

• Governance and previous board experience

• Business development and trading income generation

• Human resources

• Lived experience of mental health and wellbeing challenges

• Financial background

Work-related travel costs will be reimbursed.
We will require that the position is taken up ahead of our August Trustee Board Meeting. ����

Our trustees are the people that have overall oversight of Foothold.  They are not involved in running Foothold on a day-to-day basis as we have a team of staff and volunteers that do this.  However, our board of trustees collectively make decisions about the approach the Foothold will take and its future direction.  They make sure that, as an organisation, we have the policies and procedures we need to ensure we’re complying with our legal obligations.  They provide support, ideas and constructive challenge to our staff team to test our thinking and help Foothold to achieve the best it can for our community members and demonstrate the difference that we make.

Do you want to be inspired by the impact of education? Schools across Birmingham and the surrounding area are looking for skilled volunteers to support education by becoming school governors.

What will you be doing?

Governing bodies are responsible for the strategic management of a school and will make decisions about a wide range of issues

The core responsibilities involved are:

• Ensuring accountability
• Providing support and challenge to the schools senior leadership team
• Monitoring and evaluating the school’s progress
• Budgetary allocation and control
• Shaping plans for school improvement and overseeing their implementation
• Setting the school’s aims and values
• Appointing senior members of staff including the Head Teacher

The governing body is usually split in to a small number of committees, each responsible for one area such as finance or pupil achievement. These committees will meet separately from the main governing body to discuss relevant issues in more detail. Discussion is then fed back at a full governing body meeting.

A school governing body is made up of representatives from the school, the parents, the local authority and the local community.

What are we looking for?

You don’t need any specific skills or experience to be a school governor. You must be over 18, but you don’t need to be a parent or have experience working in education. Often, it’s the outside perspective you can bring that a school needs.

Professional experience in areas such as HR, finance, law, or project management are all useful to a school. But soft skills such as leadership, communication, and problem solving are also great additions.

What difference will you make?

Governors make decisions that affect schools for years to come. Our recent impact survey found that our volunteers bring £9.9 million worth of value to schools each year, and 9/10 volunteers would recommend being a governor to a friend. 

As a governor, you can visit the school to gain an understanding of the culture and ethos and to get the most out of the role. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet children, parents, and teachers, and see the impact of your work first-hand.

What's in it for the volunteer?

Volunteering as a school governor is a challenging but rewarding role. As part of the governing board, you’ll:

• help schools overcome challenges to ensure a bright future for children in your community
• work collaboratively with people from different backgrounds, challenging your own perspective and broadening your network
• gain experience outside of your job description and skills you can bring back to work

Before you apply

You will need to complete an application form and will have an interview with the school. DBS checks will be taken up

Do you want to be inspired by the impact of education? Do you have the skills to lead an established board of governors? A school in Barking in Essex is looking for a skilled volunteer to drive school improvement by becoming a chair of governors.

What will you be doing?

Governing bodies are responsible for the strategic management of a school and will make decisions about a wide range of issues

The core responsibilities involved are:

· Ensuring accountability

· Providing support and challenge to the schools senior leadership team

· Monitoring and evaluating the school’s progress

· Budgetary allocation and control

· Shaping plans for school improvement and overseeing their implementation

· Setting the school’s aims and values

· Appointing senior members of staff including the Head Teacher

A school governing body is made up of representatives from the school, the parents, and the local community.

What are we looking for?

This vacancy is for a Primary School and nursery (ages 3-11).  The school would ideally like to find someone who has experience in safeguarding and anti-bullying.

You must be over 18, but you don’t need to be a parent or have children of school age. Often, it’s the outside perspective you can bring that a school needs. Professional experience in areas such as safe guarding, change management, and leadership skills are all useful to a school. Soft skills such as communication and problem solving are also great additions.

What difference will you make?

Governors make decisions that affect schools for years to come. Chair of Governors work in partnership with Head Teachers and the Senior Management Team to help deliver the best possible education, and help children realise their expectations and aspirations.

Our recent impact survey found that our volunteers bring £9.9 million worth of value to schools each year, and 9/10 volunteers would recommend being a governor to a friend.

As a chair of governors, you will be encouraged to visit the school to gain an understanding of the culture and ethos and to get the most out of the role. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet children, parents, and teachers, and see the impact of your work first-hand.

What's in it for the volunteer?

Volunteering as a chair of governors is a challenging but rewarding role. As part of the governing board, you’ll:

· Have support from the vice chair(s) and the clerk, to ensure the effective functioning of the board by keeping it focused on its core functions. You will also encourage the board to work together as an effective team, building its skills, knowledge and experience.

· help schools overcome challenges to ensure a bright future for children in your community

· work collaboratively with people from different backgrounds, challenging your own perspective and broadening your network

· gain experience outside of your job description and skills you can bring back to work

Before you apply

You will need to complete an application form and will have an interview with the school. DBS checks will be taken up.

About Governors for Schools

Objectives

Governors for Schools exists to improve educational standards so that children and young people have the chance to realise their full potential.

We believe the key to improving school performance is effective governance. By finding, nurturing and supporting a committed network of governors we help to drive systematic change in how schools operate. We have been connecting schools across England for over 20 years, and expanded our service into Wales in 2020, with skilled and committed volunteers, supported by our business and university partnerships.

Do you want to be inspired by the impact of education? Schools across Derby and the surrounding area are looking for skilled volunteers to support education by becoming school governors.

What will you be doing?

Governing bodies are responsible for the strategic management of a school and will make decisions about a wide range of issues

The core responsibilities involved are:

• Ensuring accountability
• Providing support and challenge to the schools senior leadership team
• Monitoring and evaluating the school’s progress
• Budgetary allocation and control
• Shaping plans for school improvement and overseeing their implementation
• Setting the school’s aims and values
• Appointing senior members of staff including the Head Teacher

The governing body is usually split in to a small number of committees, each responsible for one area such as finance or pupil achievement. These committees will meet separately from the main governing body to discuss relevant issues in more detail. Discussion is then fed back at a full governing body meeting.

A school governing body is made up of representatives from the school, the parents, the local authority and the local community.

What are we looking for?

You don’t need any specific skills or experience to be a school governor. You must be over 18, but you don’t need to be a parent or have experience working in education. Often, it’s the outside perspective you can bring that a school needs.

Professional experience in areas such as HR, finance, law, or project management are all useful to a school. But soft skills such as leadership, communication, and problem solving are also great additions.

What difference will you make?

Governors make decisions that affect schools for years to come. Our recent impact survey found that our volunteers bring £9.9 million worth of value to schools each year, and 9/10 volunteers would recommend being a governor to a friend. 

As a governor, you can visit the school to gain an understanding of the culture and ethos and to get the most out of the role. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet children, parents, and teachers, and see the impact of your work first-hand.

What's in it for the volunteer?

Volunteering as a school governor is a challenging but rewarding role. As part of the governing board, you’ll:

• help schools overcome challenges to ensure a bright future for children in your community
• work collaboratively with people from different backgrounds, challenging your own perspective and broadening your network
• gain experience outside of your job description and skills you can bring back to work

Before you apply

You will need to complete an application form and will have an interview with the school. DBS checks will be taken up

Bring your AI and digital expertise to the Board at Ada by becoming a Governor and working to support our mission ‘to educate and empower the next generation of diverse digital talent’.

Time commitment: up to 10 hours per month.

Location: Greater London and Manchester

Who we are

Ada is a specialist further education college, whose mission is, ‘To educate and empower the next generation of diverse digital talent.’ Every sixth form student takes Computer Science, and every diverse higher-level and degree apprentice works in skills-shortage disciplines within innovative, blue-chip companies.

The UK has 800,000 unfilled IT jobs, and the digital skills gap is costing the UK economy an estimated £63 billion a year in lost GDP, but young people are not being adequately supported to bridge this gap, with over 50% of secondary schools in the UK not even offering Computer Science.

Ada seeks to fill this skills gap, but in a different way: one that ensures young people are being equipped with the skills industry actually needs and one that empowers young people who are currently underrepresented in UK tech. Ada’s core focus is on reaching individuals from low-income households, young women and those from ethnic minority backgrounds to address the diversity challenges in tech-focused roles.

About the role

The College is seeking a strategic and forward-thinking individual to join our Governing Board as a Governor with expertise in artificial intelligence (AI). This role is critical in helping the college navigate the opportunities and challenges presented by AI, ensuring our curriculum, infrastructure and strategic direction remain relevant and future-focused.

Do you see technology fundamentally changing the economy and world around you and care passionately about building an organisation to educate and empower those currently least likely to benefit from these developments? Ada does and it has big plans.

Working closely with its many high-profile partners, Ada seeks to harness tech as a positive tool for social mobility and improve the gender balance in tech-focused roles.

Who we are looking for

We are seeking an experienced and forward-thinking professional to join our Governing Board as an External Member, bringing insight and strategic guidance on artificial intelligence (AI) and digital innovation.

As the College continues its digital transformation, this role offers a unique opportunity to shape how emerging technologies enhance our teaching, learning, operations and community impact. We are looking for someone who can help the College navigate the opportunities and challenges of AI responsibly, ethically and effectively — ensuring we remain at the forefront of innovation in further education.

You will bring a strong understanding of artificial intelligence and its applications across education, industry or public services, coupled with the ability to think strategically and provide effective governance oversight.

Your expertise will support the Board in embedding AI within the College’s long-term vision and strategic planning, ensuring alignment with our mission, values and commitment to inclusivity and excellence. You will help ensure that innovation is pursued responsibly — with attention to ethics, data governance and the broader societal implications of technology in education.

Please click 'Redirect to recruiter’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the candidate profile and register your interest to apply.

Do you want to be inspired by the impact of education? Schools across Hampshire are looking for skilled volunteers to support education by becoming school governors.

What will you be doing?

Governing bodies are responsible for the strategic management of a school and will make decisions about a wide range of issues

The core responsibilities involved are:

• Ensuring accountability
• Providing support and challenge to the schools senior leadership team
• Monitoring and evaluating the school’s progress
• Budgetary allocation and control
• Shaping plans for school improvement and overseeing their implementation
• Setting the school’s aims and values
• Appointing senior members of staff including the Head Teacher

The governing body is usually split in to a small number of committees, each responsible for one area such as finance or pupil achievement. These committees will meet separately from the main governing body to discuss relevant issues in more detail. Discussion is then fed back at a full governing body meeting.

A school governing body is made up of representatives from the school, the parents, the local authority and the local community.

What are we looking for?

You don’t need any specific skills or experience to be a school governor. You must be over 18, but you don’t need to be a parent or have experience working in education. Often, it’s the outside perspective you can bring that a school needs.

Professional experience in areas such as HR, finance, law, or project management are all useful to a school. But soft skills such as leadership, communication, and problem solving are also great additions.

What difference will you make?

Governors make decisions that affect schools for years to come. Our recent impact survey found that our volunteers bring £9.9 million worth of value to schools each year, and 9/10 volunteers would recommend being a governor to a friend. 

As a governor, you can visit the school to gain an understanding of the culture and ethos and to get the most out of the role. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet children, parents, and teachers, and see the impact of your work first-hand.

What's in it for the volunteer?

Volunteering as a school governor is a challenging but rewarding role. As part of the governing board, you’ll:

• help schools overcome challenges to ensure a bright future for children in your community
• work collaboratively with people from different backgrounds, challenging your own perspective and broadening your network
• gain experience outside of your job description and skills you can bring back to work

Before you apply

You will need to complete an application form and will have an interview with the school. DBS checks will be taken up.

Do you want to be inspired by the impact of education? Schools across Surrey are looking for skilled volunteers to support education by becoming school governors.

What will you be doing?

Governing bodies are responsible for the strategic management of a school and will make decisions about a wide range of issues

The core responsibilities involved are:

• Ensuring accountability
• Providing support and challenge to the schools senior leadership team
• Monitoring and evaluating the school’s progress
• Budgetary allocation and control
• Shaping plans for school improvement and overseeing their implementation
• Setting the school’s aims and values
• Appointing senior members of staff including the Head Teacher

The governing body is usually split in to a small number of committees, each responsible for one area such as finance or pupil achievement. These committees will meet separately from the main governing body to discuss relevant issues in more detail. Discussion is then fed back at a full governing body meeting.

A school governing body is made up of representatives from the school, the parents, the local authority and the local community.

What are we looking for?

You don’t need any specific skills or experience to be a school governor. You must be over 18, but you don’t need to be a parent or have experience working in education. Often, it’s the outside perspective you can bring that a school needs.

Professional experience in areas such as HR, finance, law, or project management are all useful to a school. But soft skills such as leadership, communication, and problem solving are also great additions.

What difference will you make?

Governors make decisions that affect schools for years to come. Our recent impact survey found that our volunteers bring £9.9 million worth of value to schools each year, and 9/10 volunteers would recommend being a governor to a friend. 

As a governor, you can visit the school to gain an understanding of the culture and ethos and to get the most out of the role. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet children, parents, and teachers, and see the impact of your work first-hand.

What's in it for the volunteer?

Volunteering as a school governor is a challenging but rewarding role. As part of the governing board, you’ll:

• help schools overcome challenges to ensure a bright future for children in your community
• work collaboratively with people from different backgrounds, challenging your own perspective and broadening your network
• gain experience outside of your job description and skills you can bring back to work

Before you apply

You will need to complete an application form and will have an interview with the school. DBS checks will be taken up.

Who are Governors for Schools?

Governors for Schools operates across England and Wales to improve educational standards and ensure all children and young people have the chance to realise their full potential.

We believe the key to improving school performance is effective governance. By finding, nurturing and supporting a committed network of governors, we drive positive systematic change that benefits each and every student, regardless of their background.

Governors for Schools recruits and matches volunteers with school governing boards and provides ongoing support.

What’s involved?

There are governor vacancies across England and Wales. Some schools are also looking for remote governors who don't need to live near the school they support.

Governors volunteer at board level to set the strategic vision for their school. This involves constructively challenging current processes, using your unique skills to support senior leaders, and overseeing school finances. You’ll be involved in areas such as monitoring, budget management, and data analysis. As well as putting your expertise to good use, you’ll have the opportunity to develop your professional skills. Ultimately, you’ll work towards facilitating the delivery of a broad and exciting curriculum and oversee wellbeing and inclusion initiatives. Governance represents a fantastic opportunity to develop yourself while making a real impact on the education of children and young people.

Governors work collaboratively with the headteacher and other members of the board, including parents and school staff. In most schools, full board meetings are held termly, as are committee meetings. Many governors will sit on a committee linked to their expertise or interests, such as teaching and learning or finance and resources. In addition to attending meetings, governors will need to read the papers in advance, complete training courses, and occasionally visit their school.

Governors usually support schools for a period of four years and with an estimated time commitment of 7 hours per month. During these hours, you will attend meetings, read papers, attend training sessions, and make occasional visits to school.

Who can be a governor?

The most important part of being a governor is the ability to ask questions, provide support and have the best interests of the school at heart. You don't have to be a parent or have experience in education to become a governor. Schools seek a  wide range of skills to support the board, including finance, HR, and data analysis.

Boards also need governors with a diversity of backgrounds and lived experiences to ensure a range of perspectives are considered during board meetings.

Schools welcome professional experience, as well as community insight and experience of working collaboratively.

You need to be aged 18 or above and there are certain criminal convictions that would exclude you from the role. A Disclosure and Barring Service check will be carried out by the school.

What’s the process?

You can find out more about the school governor role by attending one of our recruitment webinars.

You can complete your online profile on the website, including your motivation to take on the role, your skills and your school preferences. Your regional Partnership Manager will then look at vacancies that match your requirements. Once a school is identified, you will have the opportunity to discuss the role with them in more detail, visit the school, and observe a meeting. If appointed, a DBS check will take place and, in some cases, the school will seek references.

Ongoing support

Governors for Schools isn’t just a matching service. We want to help you thrive in your role through bespoke and ongoing support. We provide eLearning and monthly webinars covering a variety of topics to increase your knowledge of the education sector and governance. You’ll also have access to The Key for School Governors, an information hub designed to show new governors the ropes and offer a useful point of reference for existing governors.

Do you want to be inspired by the impact of education? Schools across Burnley and the surrounding area are looking for skilled volunteers to support education by becoming school governors.

What will you be doing?

Governing bodies are responsible for the strategic management of a school and will make decisions about a wide range of issues

The core responsibilities involved are:

• Ensuring accountability
• Providing support and challenge to the schools senior leadership team
• Monitoring and evaluating the school’s progress
• Budgetary allocation and control
• Shaping plans for school improvement and overseeing their implementation
• Setting the school’s aims and values
• Appointing senior members of staff including the Head Teacher

The governing body is usually split in to a small number of committees, each responsible for one area such as finance or pupil achievement. These committees will meet separately from the main governing body to discuss relevant issues in more detail. Discussion is then fed back at a full governing body meeting.

A school governing body is made up of representatives from the school, the parents, the local authority and the local community.

What are we looking for?

You don’t need any specific skills or experience to be a school governor. You must be over 18, but you don’t need to be a parent or have experience working in education. Often, it’s the outside perspective you can bring that a school needs.

Professional experience in areas such as HR, finance, law, or project management are all useful to a school. But soft skills such as leadership, communication, and problem solving are also great additions.

What difference will you make?

Governors make decisions that affect schools for years to come. Our recent impact survey found that our volunteers bring £9.9 million worth of value to schools each year, and 9/10 volunteers would recommend being a governor to a friend. 

As a governor, you can visit the school to gain an understanding of the culture and ethos and to get the most out of the role. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet children, parents, and teachers, and see the impact of your work first-hand.

What's in it for the volunteer?

Volunteering as a school governor is a challenging but rewarding role. As part of the governing board, you’ll:

• help schools overcome challenges to ensure a bright future for children in your community
• work collaboratively with people from different backgrounds, challenging your own perspective and broadening your network
• gain experience outside of your job description and skills you can bring back to work

Before you apply

You will need to complete an application form and will have an interview with the school. DBS checks will be taken up

Who are Governors for Schools?

Governors for Schools operates across England and Wales to improve educational standards and ensure all children and young people have the chance to realise their full potential.

We believe the key to improving school performance is effective governance. By finding, nurturing and supporting a committed network of governors, we drive positive systematic change that benefits each and every student, regardless of their background.

Governors for Schools recruits and matches volunteers with school governing boards and provides ongoing support.

What’s involved?

There are governor vacancies across England and Wales. Some schools are also looking for remote governors who don't need to live near the school they support.

Governors volunteer at board level to set the strategic vision for their school. This involves constructively challenging current processes, using your unique skills to support senior leaders, and overseeing school finances. You’ll be involved in areas such as monitoring, budget management, and data analysis. As well as putting your expertise to good use, you’ll have the opportunity to develop your professional skills. Ultimately, you’ll work towards facilitating the delivery of a broad and exciting curriculum and oversee wellbeing and inclusion initiatives. Governance represents a fantastic opportunity to develop yourself while making a real impact on the education of children and young people.

Governors work collaboratively with the headteacher and other members of the board, including parents and school staff. In most schools, full board meetings are held termly, as are committee meetings. Many governors will sit on a committee linked to their expertise or interests, such as teaching and learning or finance and resources. In addition to attending meetings, governors will need to read the papers in advance, complete training courses, and occasionally visit their school.

Governors usually support schools for a period of four years and with an estimated time commitment of 7 hours per month. During these hours, you will attend meetings, read papers, attend training sessions, and make occasional visits to school.

Who can be a governor?

The most important part of being a governor is the ability to ask questions, provide support and have the best interests of the school at heart. You don't have to be a parent or have experience in education to become a governor. Schools seek a  wide range of skills to support the board, including finance, HR, and data analysis.

Boards also need governors with a diversity of backgrounds and lived experiences to ensure a range of perspectives are considered during board meetings.

Schools welcome professional experience, as well as community insight and experience of working collaboratively.

You need to be aged 18 or above and there are certain criminal convictions that would exclude you from the role. A Disclosure and Barring Service check will be carried out by the school.

What’s the process?

You can find out more about the school governor role by attending one of our recruitment webinars.

You can complete your online profile on the website, including your motivation to take on the role, your skills and your school preferences. Your regional Partnership Manager will then look at vacancies that match your requirements. Once a school is identified, you will have the opportunity to discuss the role with them in more detail, visit the school, and observe a meeting. If appointed, a DBS check will take place and, in some cases, the school will seek references.

Ongoing support

Governors for Schools isn’t just a matching service. We want to help you thrive in your role through bespoke and ongoing support. We provide eLearning and monthly webinars covering a variety of topics to increase your knowledge of the education sector and governance. You’ll also have access to The Key for School Governors, an information hub designed to show new governors the ropes and offer a useful point of reference for existing governors.

City of Wolverhampton College is looking for dynamic and committed individuals to join its Corporation Board as Governors. This is a unique opportunity to help shape the strategic direction of a forward-thinking college whose purpose is to define futures.

Location: Wolverhampton

Time commitment: 12 hours per month

 Closing date: 9 a.m. Wednesday 12th November

Who we are

City of Wolverhampton College currently operates from two main campuses in Wolverhampton – Paget Road and Wellington Road – and delivers over 300 different qualifications through a range of full-time and part-time courses, including apprenticeships and HE. We also have specialist provisions for polymer training, rail, and electric vehicle maintenance, delivered from satellite sites at Telford, Dudley, and Bentley Bridge (Wolverhampton).  Each year, we deliver education and training to around 9,000 students.

As an education provider, the College is subject to periodic inspection by Ofsted.  The most recent inspection took place in January 2023, and the College was rated ‘Good’ overall, demonstrating the high level of quality that we deliver across the College. This is further demonstrated by our consistently high achievement rates, our growth in our student recruitment numbers and the high levels of satisfaction that both our students and our staff report.

Over recent times, we have been progressing with an exciting estate transformation project, which has already seen us extend our Wellington Road campus to include new training workshops and classrooms as part of our Construction Innovation Centre. Furthermore, in November, we will take the next step on this journey by vacating our Paget Road site and moving into a new state-of-the-art campus – the City Learner Quarter.

These estate developments are just one example of how we continue to evolve and develop our provision, ensuring that the education and training we deliver are of the highest quality whilst led by the needs of our local community, employers and stakeholders such as the West Midlands Combined Authority.

From a strategic perspective, our new strategic plan will be published soon and has been created in collaboration between our Governors and our Senior Leadership Team, led by our Principal & Chief Executive, Louise Fall, who was appointed just over a year ago.

Once this plan is published, attention will turn from development to delivery, and to do this, Louise and her colleagues across the college will be able to call upon the board for their support. Our Board is made up of a diverse range of successful strategic leaders. As our college enters a new phase of its journey, we believe now is the right time to add new perspectives and expertise to our board. As such, we now seek to appoint a number of new members who can provide this in the years ahead.

About the role

Becoming a Governor at the City of Wolverhampton College is a rewarding opportunity to use your professional skills and experience to make a tangible difference to education, our local communities, and the lives of diverse group of learners.

As a Governor, you will play a central role in shaping the future of the College, ensuring it continues to thrive and delivers high-quality education and training.

Working collectively as part of our Corporation Board, led by our Chair, Mike Hastings, you will help determine the organisational culture, educational character and strategic direction of the College, while safeguarding its financial health and long-term sustainability. For context, our annual turnover is c.£43m, and we have a formal financial health rating of Good.

Governors at the College hold responsibility for approving such things as our mission and our annual budgets, as well as overseeing the performance and remuneration of senior leaders. The Board also sets frameworks for staff pay and conditions, ensuring that the College remains an excellent place to work and study.

In our most recent external review of governance, our board was recognised as being high-performing and for ensuring that we prioritise the success and well-being of our students. The findings of this review showed our board was highly proficient and consistently had a positive impact on college strategy, effectiveness and outcomes.

Your impact as a Governor will be wide-reaching: from safeguarding the use of public funds and ensuring strong governance, to setting and monitoring targets that drive student retention, achievement, and success. In short, you will help ensure every learner has the opportunity to reach their potential.

Who we are looking for

Having considered the current skills composition on our Board, we believe there are several areas of expertise which would add considerable value to our Board. These are:

• Qualified finance professionals
• Professionals working in senior compliance, risk and audit-focused roles
• Those working in leadership roles within local employers and the wider business community, ideally leading business operations of an organisation which complements the curriculum strategy of the college.
• Those with oversight and responsibility for large-scale capital development projects and facilities management in similarly large and complex organisations
• A professional with expertise in the area of safeguarding

Prior experience as a member of a non-executive board is not essential, but it will, of course, be welcomed, especially where this experience relates to time served on an audit or finance committee within a complex business or not-for-profit environment.

The role requires commitment and active participation. Our Governors meet five times per year in person on Thursdays from 5 pm, with additional committee and strategy sessions across the year. Preparation, attendance, and engagement are essential, as is a willingness to attend College events and undertake training. On average, the role involves around 12 hours per month.

Please click 'Redirect to recruiter’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the candidate profile and register your interest to apply.

Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Wednesday 12th November.