Why become a Local Governor?

No previous experience in education is required. Effective boards benefit from people with diverse backgrounds, perspectives and expertise. In line with the Confederation of School Trusts' recommended direction of travel, our approach to local governance focuses on fewer meetings, richer conversations and meaningful engagement, making the role both rewarding and manageable.

Being a local governor is an opportunity to:

• Make a meaningful difference to the lives of children and young people within your local community.
• Use your skills, experience and perspective to support school improvement and strengthen governance.
• Act as a bridge between the school, parents and the wider community, ensuring local voices are heard.
• Work alongside school leaders, directors and governors from across the trust to help every child thrive.
• Develop your own understanding of leadership, education and governance in a supportive environment.

What do Local Governors do?

Local governors provide local insight and constructive challenge to help schools and the trust continually improve. They do not manage the day-to-day running of the school; instead, they focus on understanding the experiences of pupils, staff, parents and the local community and helping leaders to make informed decisions.

Local governors:

• Attend three local governing body meetings each year.
• Participate in focused discussions on key priorities for the school.
• Undertake school visits to gain first-hand insight and understanding.
• Use agreed question banks to support discussions and provide effective challenge.
• Engage with parents, carers and the wider community at least once each year.
• Identify strengths, opportunities and emerging risks.
• Share local intelligence and feedback to help inform trust-wide decision making.
• Work collaboratively with school leaders, directors and governors across the trust.
• Complete induction and ongoing training to support their effectiveness.

Local governors are ambassadors for both their school and the trust and play an important role in ensuring that local communities remain connected to the wider trust family.

What is the time commitment?

The role has been designed to provide meaningful involvement with a manageable commitment.

Typically, local governors will:

• Attend three local governing body meetings each year.
• Read papers and prepare for meetings in advance.
• Undertake occasional school visits to support discussions.
• Engage with parents and the local community at least once each year.
• Complete induction and mandatory training.

Most governors find that the role is flexible and can fit around professional and personal commitments.

Optional Trust Committee Membership

Governors who wish to become more involved may choose to join one or more trust committees alongside directors and governor representatives from across the trust.

The committees are:

• People Committee
• Pupil Committee
• Standards Committee

Committee membership is entirely voluntary and provides an opportunity to contribute to governance across the trust, collaborate with colleagues from other schools and develop a deeper understanding of key areas of trust activity. Training and support will be provided to all governors who wish to take part.

Many governors value the opportunity to contribute beyond their own school while remaining part of a strong and connected trust-wide governance community.

Please contact Jayne Newson, Governance Professional to express your interest or request further information:

By email: jayne.newson@sharemat.co.uk

By telephone: 01484 955007