Education volunteer roles

16-Week Semester: 20 January – 24 May 2026

Location: Online (Google Meet & Google Classroom)

Commitment: Approx. 4 hours per week 

About the Role

Victory Afghanistan is seeking enthusiastic and committed Volunteer English Instructors to join our international online teaching team. We provide free English education to Afghan girls and women, helping them rebuild their futures through learning and mentorship.

Our next semester runs for 16 weeks, beginning 20 January 2026 and finishing 24 May 2026.

You do not need to be a qualified English teacher to apply, enthusiasm, reliability, and strong communication skills are most important. However, having teaching experience or a TEFL certificate would be advantageous. Join a multinational team of volunteers from 27 countries.

All curriculum materials, lesson plans, and assessments are provided. Volunteers only need to prepare for classes, teach their lessons, and complete light marking and feedback.

Responsibilities:

• Deliver two live online English lessons per week (1 hour each).

• Dedicate approx. 2 additional hours per week for preparation, marking, and communication.

• Follow the provided curriculum and assessments.

• Collaborate with co-instructors and program coordinators.

• Create a culturally sensitive and inclusive learning environment.

About the Students:

• All students are female and based in Afghanistan, aged 11 to 40.

• You’ll typically teach a group of around 10 students.

• We are currently recruiting instructors for Intermediate (Level 5) and Advanced (Level 6) classes.

• Many students face internet limitations and many connect via mobile phones.

Award-winning theatre company One Tenth Human is seeking people with a passion for developing children’s STEM potential to join our Board of Trustees. Could you help us succeed with our next adventures?

One Tenth Human is an award-winning theatre company based in Lancaster, led by Artistic Director Sarah Punshon. We are a registered charity (no. 1195497), on a mission to empower primary-age children with better stories about their own potential. We explode myths and expectations when it comes to science, technology, engineering, arts, and maths (“STEAM”) because too many children reach adulthood believing these subjects are not for “people like me”. We want to change this.

We create and tour interactive theatrical adventures nationally to arts venues, libraries, schools, and village halls. Since our formation in 2016, we have been commissioned and co-produced by Shoreditch Town Hall, Z-arts, China Plate, Polka Theatre, Tutti Frutti, Big Imaginations, ARC Stockton, The Dukes Lancaster, and Lancaster Arts. We reach nationally, but are deeply embedded in our local region, working closely with schools, community groups, charities, and higher education partners to incubate new work and give more children the chance to take part in our life-changing adventures.

Our current Board has expertise in the arts, business management, charities, and STEM public engagement. You can find out more about them here.

The Board meets for 90 minute meetings every quarter on Zoom, with occasional in-person Away Days.

Written information is sent out a week before each meeting, requiring careful reading and consideration. Trustees may take on additional tasks suitable to their area of expertise between meetings, but the role is fundamentally one of governance and strategic guidance.

We are currently recruiting for Board members with the following skills:

(A) Financial Management Trustee. We are seeking a Board member who would be able to support our financial management, working with the Treasurer (and our accountant) to oversee financial planning, processes, and compliance. Your experience might be an accountancy qualification, experience with charity financial management, experience in business, or similar. Your role would include joining our Budget Working Group, which meets quarterly, one to two weeks before each Board meeting.

(B) Board Members. More broadly, we are keen to recruit Board members who have any one (or more!) of the following areas of expertise:

• ○  Marketing/PR;

• ○  Fundraising / philanthropy;

• ○  Charity governance / legal;

• ○  IT;

• ○  Children aged 3-10 years - whether as a teacher, parent, carer, or volunteer;

• ○  Education, particularly primary education;

• ○  Science, technology, engineering or maths: this might mean in industry, in academia, in

  museums, or another public engagement area. In addition, we expect all Board members to have:

• ○  Interest in our work

• ○  A commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion across all aspects of society

• ○  The equivalent of about 1 day per month to devote to us.

  We would be particularly interested to talk to applicants who are based or have networks in the North-West, but this is not essential. Our meetings are via Zoom and current Trustees are based in Manchester, Leeds, York, and London.

We’re looking for two amazing trustees to join our board at Speech and Language UK. Could it be you?

You could help more children enjoy story time, learn their times tables, and share jokes with their friends and families by volunteering your time as a trustee. With a record two million children now dealing with speech and language challenges – and that number rising year on year – this a crucial time for our organisation and the children and families we support.

As a trustee, you will guide us, support us, and grow with us as we work to make sure every child can face the future with confidence. We’re looking for trustees with experience either in education (early years, primary, or secondary) or speech and language therapy (practice- or research-based or a combination) who are as passionate as we are about changing young lives.

If that sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you. This is your chance to make a difference.

For more information or to chat about the role, please get in touch or visit our website.

The closing date for applications is 9am on Monday, 24 November 2025. Interviews will take place on 10 December (morning) and 12 December (afternoon) via Teams.

Few institutions are or Students Unions are developing as fast as we are. Both UCB and the Guild of Students aspire to being models of excellence serving our unique a diverse student body.

We serve students from 6th form, vocational courses and degree and post grad, local and many international students. We have an exciting plan to take us into the next few years and need someone brilliant, experienced and enthusiastic to help steer us on this ambitious, challenging journey.

We think someone with experience as a senior Students' Union and perhaps some broader experiences and interests too would be great for the role but we would be happy to talk to someone who has a good understanding of governance and students' unions acquired during their varied history.

About the Guild of Students

Since becoming an independent charity six years ago, the Guild of Students has become a hub of student life and advocacy, in line with our mission to help every student at University College Birmingham achieve their potential. We run a Course Representative scheme of over 400 volunteers, lead change campaigns in students’ interests, facilitate around 25 student-led clubs and societies, and organise exciting social opportunities.

We’ve been recognised with several accreditations, including Investors In People, Disability Confident, and most recently the National Union of Students’ ‘Quality Students’ Union’ status.

The Guild is led by three elected full-time Officers: an Education Officer, Equalities and Wellbeing Officer, and Societies & Activities Officer. They, in turn, are supported by a team of 6 part-time volunteer Officers and a small but dedicated staff team, which we are keen to expand to develop the quality and breadth of our services.

About our Members

UCB is home to a wide range of courses with a particular emphasis on skills-based education. We are proud to welcome a diverse student body, including many from the West Midlands who have traditionally faced barriers to accessing further or higher education.

The Guild represents around 10,000 students, including apprentices, college-level students, UCB’s new Sixth Form, and university-level students. We engage with a clear majority of our members each year, and are keen to deepen our reach — especially with FE students.

About the Role

As Chairperson, you will lead a Board comprising external trustees, student trustees, the three full-time Officers, and a member of UCB’s governing body. The Board meets quarterly for around three hours, and the chairperson will be expected to provide additional support and guidance between meetings (which can be done remotely).

The initial term of appointment is four years, with the option of renewal.

We ask candidates to note the following key dates:

• Applications close: Friday 7th November, 16:00
• Interviews: Week commencing 17th November (to be confirmed)
• First Board meeting (if appointed): Thursday 27th November in an observing capacity

Further Information and Adjustments

For an informal conversation about the role or to discuss the appointment process in greater detail (including any adjustments we can make to ensure accessibility) please send us a message for the attention of Alex Harden-Way, Guild Director.

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.

Medaille Trust is one of the leading providers of support to survivors of modern slavery and human trafficking in the UK. We are working to provide refuge and freedom for survivors and fighting to see slavery in all its forms become a thing of the past. The need for this work has never been higher, there are more than 50 million estimated victims of modern slavery worldwide, and over 120,000 potential victims in the UK.

We operate ten safe houses and five outreach hubs, staffed round the clock by specialist staff, working with more than 600 men, women and dependent children each year.  We work to raise awareness in the UK and to provide preventive work in source countries. Our Pursue work helps survivors to engage with police and within the legal system to seek justice and to secure convictions against their perpetrators.

This role is based in the Thanet area.

We are looking for an educational volunteer who can help empower service users in the safe house environment through informal English language support. Tasks will include:

•Listening to service users read

•Play games such as scrabble and wordsearches to help them learn in an informal and relaxed way

•Work through every-day scenarios like booking a GP appointment, communicating in a shop, purchasing train tickets

•Offering a safe and comfortable experience for all service users, showing awareness of service users’ varying physical and mental well-being needs

Our volunteers come from all walks of life and have a wide range of experience and motivations for wanting to volunteer with us. Whatever your reason for deciding to volunteer, we want to make sure you enjoy your time with us and know just how much we value your support.

This role requires maturity, and an ability to engage with adults in a trauma informed way, while working alongside staff members to deliver the activities in line with agreed procedures and systems

Volunteers need to:

•Be at least 18 years old

•ESOL or TEFL qualifications would be advantageous

•This role requires a regular commitment- weekly

•Be able to get to the venues which is in Thanet

•Be computer literate and have a good standard of spoken and written English

•Be willing to have an enhanced DBS check

•Have an understanding of the importance of professional boundaries in the role and ability to maintain confidentiality is essential

This role is restricted for females under the Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010 and is subject to satisfactory Disclosure & Barring Service checks.

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

We are seeking enthusiastic, innovative volunteer teachers who are passionate about education, youth development and equity to join our 25-26 cohort. Food and housing expenses are covered. We currently serve hundreds of students across our partner school, Santa Monica Bilingual School, in northern Honduras. You will be joining a network of hundreds of alumni who have supported this important work for nearly 20 years. Our signature teaching program includes  ear-long teacher training and year-long professional development opportunities that highlights the important current and historical context in which we are teaching and learning from our students and the communities in which we live. If you have any questions or want further information, feel free to reach out to us. 

At a high level, each volunteer teacher is responsible for: leading an English curriculum for students in grades PreK-9 in ELA, Science, Math, Art, PE and Computers (all classes are capped at 25 students, and most teachers take on one full curriculum for a grade level) supporting fellow teachers in the classroom, getting to know your students and their families, and immersing oneself in Honduran culture. Don’t worry - we’ll be there to support you with every step along the way! 

REQUIRED DUTIES:

• Facilitate relationships with students’ parents and other community members 

• Plan lessons and teach in English (all subjects with the exception of Social Studies and Spanish)

• Foster a safe and productive classroom environment for students 

• Serve as a Lunch/Recess monitor

• Collaborate with the teaching team (Honduran and International) on school projects, events, planning, and curriculum development

• Contribute to the collaborative and respectful group living experience

• Serve as an ambassador for BECA by helping to spread the word about our work to your families and friends 

• Participate in professional development events, such as local education-based conferences, and BECA-lead efforts

BENEFITS: All BECA volunteer teachers receive…

• A monthly food stipend 

• Local transportation to/from the airport upon arrival and departure

• Housing (within a shared living accommodation)

• High-speed internet, and all utilities, provided by BECA 

• Assistance in obtaining temporary residency status, or support with obtaining a temporary VISA, depending on volunteer need/local regulations

• Intensive summer training, and ongoing training and professional development throughout the academic year 

• Immersion in a Spanish speaking community, with opportunities for Spanish-language acquisition

Orchard Hill College Academy Trust is seeking dedicated/skilled individuals to join our Board of Trustees. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to a dynamic organisation that transforms lives of children and young people with SEND.

What will you be doing?

Orchard Hill College Academy Trust (OHCAT) is seeking dedicated and skilled individuals to join our Board of Trustees. 

We are particularly keen to hear from:

• Finance Professionals

• Education Professionals 

Joining OHCAT as a Trustee means becoming part of a values - driven governance team committed to transforming lives. You’ll help shape strategic decisions that create safe, inclusive, and thriving environments for learners and staff. Guided by our principles of Collaboration, Integrity, Impact-Driven practice, and Culture & Values, and rooted in our core values - Confident, Respectful, Equitable, Advocacy, Teamworking, Enabling - your leadership will directly influence the future of specialist education across our Trust.

We’re seeking strategic leaders with significant experience in education or finance to help shape the future of Orchard Hill College Academy Trust. Beyond professional expertise, we value your time, curiosity, and commitment - whether preparing for meetings, engaging with papers, attending events, or visiting our academies. You’ll join a governance community rooted in collaboration, integrity, and impact, where your insight will influence strategic direction, financial sustainability, and educational outcomes. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and industries; if you’re passionate about transforming lives and leading with purpose, we’d love to hear from you.

What are we looking for?

We’re seeking strategic leaders with significant experience in education or finance to help shape the future of Orchard Hill College Academy Trust. Beyond professional expertise, we value your time, curiosity, and commitment - whether preparing for meetings, engaging with papers, attending events, or visiting our academies. You’ll join a governance community rooted in collaboration, integrity, and impact, where your insight will influence strategic direction, financial sustainability, and educational outcomes. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and industries; if you’re passionate about transforming lives and leading with purpose, we’d love to hear from you.

What difference will you make?

At OHC&AT, trustees play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our Trust. Guided by our four key principles - Collaboration, Integrity, Impact-Driven, and Culture & Values - Trustees lead with purpose and ensure governance is not just a structure, but a lived culture. Trustees provide strategic oversight and are the principal decision-makers for both Orchard Hill College Academy Trust. Their leadership ensures legal and charitable compliance, promotes transparency, and drives continuous improvement. Through constructive challenge, trustees ask the right questions, seek clarity, and make decisions that prioritise learners, staff, and communities. Their impact is felt across every layer of governance. Trustees strengthen relationships with Local Governing Bodies and operational teams, fostering shared leadership and inclusive decision-making. They embed our values - Confident, Respectful, Equitable, Advocacy, Teamworking, Enabling - into everyday practice, ensuring that every action makes a meaningful difference. By championing ethical leadership, supporting long-term planning, and aligning governance with strategic goals, trustees help OHC&AT to thrive. Their commitment ensures that our Trust continues to do the right things, in the right way, at the right time - for the right reasons.

Before you apply

Interviews will be held after shortlisting has taken place.

Application forms will be required if an interview is offered.

Orchard Hill College & Academy Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Appointments made will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure via the Disclosure and Barring Service.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.

In line with the statutory guidance in Keeping Children Safe in Education, the Trust reserves the right to request and review references prior to interview as part of our safer recruitment process. Any concerns raised will be followed up with the applicant before a recruitment decision is made.

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.

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

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.

We are seeking a new Chair for the Scottish Workforce Professional Development Board (WPDB). The group has been working for five years to deliver their skills plan for Scotland, and is well established with 12 members from a variety of different stakeholders in Scotland, including employers, education providers and government agencies.

The UK WPDB is the lead on workforce policy, with a vision of growing the attractiveness of working in the sport and physical activity sector and of ensuring that all customers and consumers have a safe and excellent experience.  The Scottish WPDB was established to ensure the successful delivery of UK-wide workforce policy and strategy within Scotland, reflecting the significant differences between each of the home nations in areas such as legal systems, education policy, funding, delivery infrastructure and career pathways.   It has the flexibility to operate in line with the Scottish policies and priorities.

We are looking for an individual who understands the sector’s workforce requirements within Scotland and has an ambitious view for what the future could look like.  You will have a proven ability to drive strategic discussions around workforce policy, and to provide effective leadership to the rest of the Board. 

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.