National charity highlights need for school governors in North and West Kent

by | Feb 21, 2016 | Dartford News

School governors are the largest and most vital volunteer force in education. However, at present there many vacant governor positions across Kent, which is why national school governor recruitment charity SGOSS – Governors for Schools will be working in partnership with Kent County Council to recruit new governor volunteers for the region’s schools.

SGOSS highlighted Dartford, Gravesend, Sevenoaks, Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge as areas where they have a particularly high number of schools registering governor vacancies.

Ofsted data shows that 81% of primary school children and 84% of secondary school children are currently receiving a Good or Outstanding education in Kent. However encouraging, this demonstrates that Kent’s schools still have some way to go before being able to offer every child the chance of a good or better education.

One important element which helps to drive school improvement is the support of a full, skilled and effective governing board. The role of a school’s governing board is to make sure that the school’s pupils receive the best education possible. Governing boards play a crucial part in raising school standards in three key capacities: setting strategic direction, monitoring school performance and ensuring the school’s finances are appropriately accounted for. Governors offer crucial support, as well as professional knowledge and skills.

The Leigh Academies Trust has 12 academies in the region and is currently working with SGOSS to recruit governors. Stuart Reeves, the trust’s executive director, remarked on the positive impact of their existing governors: “Whether they are lawyers, engineers, HR directors, parents or those running their own business, each governor brings their own skills to help make a difference and to support and challenge our schools to be the best they can. Governors find the role fascinating and with so many changes afoot in education there’s never been a better time to get involved.”

Hannah Riley, Team Leader for the South East at SGOSS – Governors for Schools said: “Being a school governor is a learn-on-the-job role with free training provided where you will pick up skills that can be transferred back into your professional career. We would urge anyone with an interest in driving improvement in local education and enhancing their own skills to get in touch and find out more.”

For further information about the role and how to apply, please visit www.becomeagovernor.com or contact Hannah Riley on 020 7288 9534 / hannah.riley@sgoss.org.uk.

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