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​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.

​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.

A rare opportunity to lead a respected charity at a defining moment in its evolution. With a proud history of supporting young people with muscular dystrophy, MHF is now entering a new phase - establishing a refreshed mission that responds to today’s needs while staying true to its values.

What will you be doing?

Small multi award-winning family-centred charity uniquely tackling the isolating and debilitating muscle wasting disease Muscular Dystrophy (MD) for children, young people and young adults (8-28yrs). Our vision is a world of hope, purpose, inspiration and empowerment for all children with MD. We deliver highly personalised interventions (in-person & virtual) in the UK called Muscle Dreams that provide powerful physiological and psychological benefits from improving emotional and mental wellness to boosting confidence.

Experience and charity governance…

As the charity moves into its 23rd year of operation, we have an exciting opportunity for someone to bring their leadership and communication skills to the fore. Previous trustee experience and charity governance are essential.

​Main duties for MHF’s Chair

You will work closely with and support the charity’s founder and CEO but you will also lead the trustees in strategy, good governance, and policy development.

Other duties will include:

• When necessary, ensure the Chair and Trustees challenge the CEO constructively and only in the best interests of the charity as ‘critical friends’.
• Liaising with the Charity Secretary, and the CEO with drafting agendas and supporting papers for Trustee meetings, ensuring provision of timely information and sharing with all.
• Ensure charity business is covered efficiently and effectively in meetings.
• Undertake a leadership role to ensure that board members fulfil their governance responsibilities and that trustee decisions are acted upon.
• Maintain trustees’ commitment to board renewal, succession planning and trustee performance reviews, in line with MHF’s governing document.
• Ensure board and trustee performance is reviewed annually.
• Ensure the performance of the CEO is reviewed annually.

What are we looking for?

Key criteria is a fundamental belief in our cause, a compassionate leadership style, good team player with proven experience and understanding of governance, strategy and oversight, underpinned by the Principles of Public Life (known as the Nolan Principles) of selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.

• You will have a commitment to the charity’s values and in your role as Chair, you will bring enthusiasm, understanding and a passion for our work, underpinned by great communication skills and finally, a desire to want to make a difference to the lives of our beneficiary community.

The Chair will also ensure that Trustees make an effective contribution and are engaged, fully involved and invested in the charity in discharging their responsibilities. Additionally, the role of the Chair will be to:

• Ensure that whenever practicable, Trustees commit to attending some of MHF’s Muscle Dream programmes, providing opportunities to not only meet the CEO but also the charity’s beneficiaries, their families, and the incredible volunteers that support MHF’s ongoing work.
• To ensure that major risks to which the charity is exposed are reviewed regularly, as required, and systems are established to mitigate these risks.

MHF is looking for a Chair who not only has experience of being a charity trustee or someone who has held a senior management role, but also an individual who has a keen sense of strategic purpose, underpinned by an inclusive and compassionate style of leadership.

• Ability to maintain confidences and a relationship of trust with the CEO.
• Ability to foster a collaborative board environment.
• Advocate MHF’s work through personal networks and other channels.
• Being responsive – as a small charity, things sometimes ‘come up’ that require the Chair to advise, support or authorise. MHF is seeking a Chair that’s available and responsive.
• Understanding of the context in which MHF works and a commitment to its values, which adds to public confidence and trust in the charity.
• Strong communication, listening and interpersonal skills.
• Professional or relevant business-related experience and knowledge and/or the ability to demonstrate the necessary skills needed to support MHF’s professional interests.
• Passion, enthusiasm, and time to dedicate to this key role.

What difference will you make?

• Your leadership and commitment to the role will ensure MHF continues to provide much-needed support and services via its Muscle Dream initiatives
• You will contribute to the governance of our small national charity that's respected across the UK and well known by the broad muscular dystrophy community
• You bring your skills in helping the ongoing strategic progression of the charity as it transitions to a new mission
• You will act as an storyteller/advocate in promoting the charity's work across your network
• You will receive induction, support and Chair training if needed
• You will have an opportunity to bring your lived experience, in using (and further developing) your leadership skills for the benefit of others
• In your role as Chair, you will not only energize and bring the team together, but you will also harness your passion and skills in helping to move the charity forward 

Before you apply

• Previous Chair / charity leadership experience is preferred. 
• Contact MHF's founder and CEO via this Reach portal.
• Interested applicants should upload a CV together with a covering letter outlining key skills, experience and motivations.

We would also like you to answer the questions below:

• Tell us what difference you believe you may be able to make?
• How could your leadership skills benefit the charity?
• Describe your style of leadership?
• Tell us whether you have any any direct or indirect experience of disability?