Education manager volunteer volunteer roles

Do you want to be inspired by the impact of education? Schools across Bracknell Forest 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 Southampton 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? Schools across Colne 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

Shannon Trust fulfils an unmet need around adult learning, supporting people who’ve fallen through the cracks in formal education.

We know a lot of people have had negative learning experiences in the past, so our programme is designed to be different, with no exams and no classrooms. Our unique, evidence-based Turning Pages reading manuals are used by thousands of learners in prisons and the community to improve reading skills. 

Prison volunteers live near to their local prison so that they can visit about once a month during the working week to nurture the growth of the Shannon Trust in their prison. They help unlock the power of reading by offering advice, guidance, training and support to prison staff and prisoner mentors who help other prisoners to improve their skills 1 to 1.

We are looking for volunteers who are able to work alone, able to give a regular, reliable commitment for ideally two years and able to deliver engaging training to groups of people in prisons.  Due to the nature of the role, prison security vetting will be required.

We provide training for the role via e-learning and 4 training sessions which are a mix of live, online and group training.

South Cumbria MAT are seeking committed volunteers from a range of backgrounds to join as Trustees on their Board of Trustees.  Trustees are critical to the success of the Trust. Although they are volunteers, they provide challenge and monitoring. They ask questions and probe the information and data they have been provided with. Trustees are often seen as the ‘critical friend’ to ensure leaders are responding to the challenges and key priorities. Being a Trustee is supportive within a group of other volunteers who work together as a collective voice.  You do not need experience of being a trustee. South Cumbria MAT will support all new Trustees to develop in their role as well as additional training where needed.

Trustees come from many backgrounds. We are seeking individuals who may be able to offer expertise in the following areas:

• Education outcomes

• Special education needs

• Governance and compliance including experience of chairing boards

• School improvement

• Health and safety and facilities

• Finance, estates, and/or resources

South Cumbria MAT is a multi-academy trust and therefore registered as a Company Limited by Guarantee with charitable status. Due to this company status Trustees are registered with Companies House.

About CARAS: 

Community Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (CARAS) is a registered charity that has been supporting refugees and asylum-seekers since 2002 empowering them to integrate and engage in the local community. 

Arriving as an asylum seeker/refugee can be a disempowering experience. Difficulties with language, accessing services and overcoming prejudice are ever-present. As an organisation we are committed to work alongside refugees to overcome those challenges, and to help them build their lives. 

We offer group support and targeted support work. We offer a range of activities including: ESOL classes; social and recreational activities such as youth club, drama, trips, and family activities; educational support for young people; and casework and advocacy support. 

Our values are at the centre of all our work: 

• Kindness: CARAS will nurture all who are part of our community, helping everyone to develop their skills, talents, and interests. 

• Justice: CARAS will strive for social justice following a rights-based approach in all our work and challenging instances when rights are not upheld in wider society. 

• Empowerment: CARAS works alongside people, recognising and respecting their skills and strengths and striving together for better outcomes. 

• ‘With’ not ‘for’: CARAS will put the voices, opinions, experiences and needs of its beneficiaries at the heart of all that we do. 

About Youth Club:

Youth Club is a place for young people aged 14-19 to come and play games, learn new skills, make and strengthen friendships and build a sense of belonging. Regular activities include classic youth club games such as table tennis, pool, foosball, board and card games.

Youth club takes place at Tooting Hub- Beechcroft Road, Tooting, SW17 7B

About the Role:

CARAS is looking for volunteer Football Assistants to support our Football sessions on Mondays, 5.30-7pm in Balham.

Football coaching sessions are led by Fulham FC Kicks programme weekly, supported by CARAS volunteers to offer welcome to young people.

Volunteer tasks and responsibilities

· Welcoming young people to the session;

· Helping young people to register for sessions;

· Join in and be role model for young refugees and asylum seekers;

· Assisting participants to recognise and celebrate their achievements;

· Following FULHAM FC safeguarding policy and CARAS’ confidentiality, safeguarding, health & safety, equal opportunities, data management, online communications and all other policies as relevant.

Requirements:

Essential

· To be 18 years or older;

· To be non-judgemental and able to engage with people from diverse cultural backgrounds;

· To be reliable and punctual;

· Excellent communication skills, especially with people with varying levels of English;

· The ability to volunteer on Monday evenings for a minimum of four months;

· Currently resident in the UK;

- A love of football, and wanting to encourage others to play.

· Able to provide five years’ worth of addresses, and willing to undergo an enhanced DBS check (residency is not necessary if you are a Caras community member who is more recently arrived in the UK);

· Able to attend compulsory volunteer induction training (online) general and safeguarding prior to start of role

Desirable

· Knowledge of community languages, such as (including Arabic, Tigrinya, Amharic, Pashto, Dari, Farsi, Kurdish, Somali and Spanish).

Through volunteering with us you will:

· Meet new members of your local community;

· Learn about different cultures;

· Learn about issues relating to refugees and people seeking asylum;

- Be able to obtain a reference from us relating to your placement after 3 months’ regular volunteering

· Work as part of a friendly, welcoming team;

· Develop your skills and competencies;

· Be able to access relevant training;

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.

Volunteer Researcher – Fundraising Team

Organisation: Baca Charity
Location: Loughborough (with option to work remotely and visit office monthly)
Hours: Flexible – minimum 2 hours per week
Salary: Voluntary
Start Date: ASAP

About Baca

Baca supports young people who have been forced to flee their home countries due to war, persecution, or trafficking. We provide safe housing, education, and therapeutic care to help them rebuild their lives and thrive in the community. Our vision is to create an inspiring environment that raises hope and strengthens resilience.

The Role

We are looking for a Research Volunteer to join our Fundraising and Communications Team. You will help identify trusts, foundations, and potential partnerships to secure funding for Baca’s vital work.

Key Responsibilities

• Research and record details of trusts and foundations eligible for funding.
• Use online databases and Charity Commission resources to verify information.
• Present findings in an agreed format for the Grants Manager.
• Research potential partnerships and complete pro forma templates.
• Prepare letters of introduction.
• Maintain clear communication with the team.

Skills & Experience

• Experience in desk-based/internet research and using databases.
• Strong organisational skills and ability to prioritise workload.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and email systems.
• Ability to work independently under supervision and take feedback well.
• Understanding of cross-cultural issues and sensitivity when working with asylum seekers.

What We Offer

• Flexible working – from home or in our Loughborough office.
• Role-specific training, safeguarding, and data protection training.
• Induction to Baca and ongoing support.
• The opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of young people seeking safety.

Shannon Trust fulfils an unmet need around adult learning, supporting people who’ve fallen through the cracks in formal education.

We know a lot of people have had negative learning experiences in the past, so our programme is designed to be different, with no exams and no classrooms. Our unique, evidence-based Turning Pages reading manuals are used by thousands of learners in prisons and the community to improve reading skills. 

Prison volunteers live near to their local prison so that they can visit about once a month during the working week to nurture the growth of the Shannon Trust in their prison. They help unlock the power of reading by offering advice, guidance, training and support to prison staff and prisoner mentors who help other prisoners to improve their skills 1 to 1.

We are looking for volunteers who are able to work alone, able to give a regular, reliable commitment for ideally two years and able to deliver engaging training to groups of people in prisons.  Due to the nature of the role, prison security vetting will be required.

We provide training for the role via e-learning and 4 training sessions which are a mix of live, online and group training.

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.

Senior Fundraising Manager 

Purpose:
To design, lead, and oversee a powerful multi-channel fundraising strategy that supports the CIC’s mission, volunteer expansion, and community-impact programs.

Key Tasks:

• Develop and execute a high-level fundraising strategy across individual giving, corporate partnerships, grants, community fundraising, and online campaigns

• Build the infrastructure for our upcoming Volunteer Fundraising Ambassador Programme, including training pathways, scripts, tools, and reporting systems

• Lead the development of both in-person and digital fundraising models, ensuring they are ethical, transparent, and scalable

• Manage relationships with high-value donors, trust funders, partners, and community stakeholders

• Analyse fundraising data, forecast income, and build systems for tracking donor engagement

• Work closely with leadership to ensure fundraising aligns with the CIC’s decentralised, community-first mission

• Provide mentorship and guidance to the Digital Campaign Fundraising Manager and junior fundraising volunteers

Ideal For:

An experienced fundraising professional who cares deeply about community empowerment, grassroots impact, and building sustainable systems that uplift vulnerable groups across the UK and globally.

Why Join Us

• Shape the entire fundraising arm of a growing, innovative, creative UK social enterprise

• Build systems from scratch and see your work directly empower young people, vulnerable adults, and community-led initiatives

• Work with an ambitious leadership team dedicated to decentralised, people-powered structures

• Gain strategic experience in developing ambassador programmes, hybrid fundraising models, and multi-channel campaigns

• Access recorded training, references, and opportunities to transition into senior paid roles as the CIC scales

• Be a foundational leader in building a national—and later international—fundraising network

• Have the oppotunity to be out of the box thinking creativity.

• Be the 1st in line to move the role into paid position once sustained donor growth is achieved.

What You’ll Learn

• How to design in-person and online fundraising systems for a CIC

• Donor psychology, community engagement techniques, and long-term supporter retention

• Multi-channel campaign planning: face-to-face, digital, events, and community-led

• How to train and oversee a large volunteer fundraising workforce

• Ethical fundraising and safeguarding for vulnerable communities

• Strategic planning and organisational development within a decentralised structure

Job Title: EPAfrica – Project Associate (PA)
Location: Kakamega, Kenya
Duration: Approximately 1st July – 13th September 2026, with limited flexibility on start and finish dates.
Start Date: UK-based training and preparation begins in June, with travel to Kenya for final pre-summer preparation in late June.

Compensation: Non-salaried placement.

About EPAfrica
Education Partnerships Africa (EPAfrica) is a volunteer-led organisation with a mission to improve secondary education in East Africa and create opportunities for young people. EPAfrica partners directly with schools to support their self-driven growth through establishing a strong resource base and implementing holistic development programs. The organisation is dedicated to making a sustainable impact by investing in both infrastructure and the long-term capabilities of partner schools. 

Role Description
This is a volunteer placement opportunity involving hybrid training in the UK and then 10 weeks in Western Kenya over the summer of 2026. We're mainly considering applications from UK-based university students and recent graduates, however we are happy to hear from anyone who believes they can make meaningful impact and contributions. This includes apprentices, early careers or even those in the later part of their career. 

Who we are looking for

• Self-motivation and ability to work in a team with key stakeholders
• A passion for education development or sustainable non-profit work 
• An interest in working in an international context, learning through cross-cultural communication

What you'll do
Project Associates are not teachers or builders. Working with an EPAfrica partner school in teams of two or three, Project Associates will have autonomy to collaborate with key stakeholders to tailor, facilitate and project manage EPAfrica's investments. Project Associates will be responsible for ensuring investments suit individual school needs and yield sustainable results beyond the duration of our direct collaboration.
Programmes begin with Project Associates engaging all school stakeholders to identify the best available options for long-term improvement of students’ career opportunities, welfare and health.
Project Associates then co-ordinate the delivery of identified opportunities, in continued partnership with school management. Investments come in the form of cash in educational resources and time in development of initiatives. 

Why join us?
Project Associates benefit from an outstanding opportunity to experience grassroots development whilst building essential skills.
In the UK, Project Associates engage in fundraising and training that considers how evidence-informed investment can effect change. In East Africa, they co-manage a time-limited project (including its budget), work in a different cultural context and collaborate with multiple stakeholders.
Employers such as the FCDO, Deloitte and the WHO have regularly been impressed by the autonomy and critical thinking Project Associates have demonstrated through their projects.
We are proud to be entirely volunteer-run and so Project Associates can build on their experience by continuing to volunteer with the charity after their summer in Kenya. 

The Commitment
The Project Associate placement runs for a total of ten weeks in Kenya, between late June and early September. There is an orientation week, eight weeks working directly with your school, and a midway break week.

With comprehensive support and training; you'll fundraise £900 (all of which goes towards your investments in the school you work with) plus ~£1,600 for essential personal expenses (flights, in-country expenses, health insurance etc.).

We're excited to hear from you! To learn more, you can message us on LinkedIn or Instagram, apply through the link on our website.

You’re welcome to apply with a friend and complete your summer placement together, just let us know in your application which close on 9th January.

Ready to make a difference to a young person's life? Team Up is seeking dynamic volunteer to help transform the lives of disadvantaged pupils by improving their grades and building confidence in their learning.

We are looking for inspirational role models who will tutorEnglish on one of our 10-12 week online progarmmes, starting mid-January 2026.

You will be matched with a small number of pupils and provide them with the academic support, encouragement and inspiration they need to get back on track. The pupils on our online programmes have had some disrupted schooling due to challenging personal circumstances and our tuition programmes aim to build not just academic strength, but confidence and positivity towards learning as well. 

All our volunteer tutors receive full training, lesson resources and support from a qualified teacher / team manager throughout their placement.

Practical Considerations:

• Our online programme runs on Tuesday afternoons from 17:00 till 18:00.
• The start date is 13th January 2026 and the final session is on Tuesday 24th March 2026
• Sessions are 60 minutes and take place via Teams. Tutors are expected to be online 15 minutes prior to their session. There is a 15-minute debrief with your progarmme manager after each session.
• This role requires you to undergo a free of charge enhanced DBS check, which will be arranged by Team Up.

We are looking for:

• Strong grades in English
• Experience working with young people
• Committed, organised and patient individuals 
• Good interpersonal skills when dealing with pupils
• Individuals who are passionate about social mobility and helping to reduce the education attainment gap

Our volunteers love building a rapport with each pupil, seeing pupil growth, and personal confidence increase across the 12 week programme. By the end of the programme, you will see how the support you give has enabled a young person to not only improve their grades, but also build long term resilience. 

Alongside this meaningful experience, you will also be able to attend our employability seminars, as well as receiving a personalised reference upon completion of the programme.

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.