Tuesday 5 March 2013

East Sussex schools need YOU!

Do you have the skills, experience and commitment to make a difference for a local school? If so, East Sussex County Council wants to hear from you.

The search has begun for new school governors who can bring professional skills and expertise to help schools be the very best.

Cllr Nick Bennett, the County Council's Lead Member for Learning and school Effectiveness said: “There are big challenges but also big rewards for school governors. Theirs has always been an important role but I don't think it has ever been more vital.”


With schools having more options on their governance arrangements, with the prospect of more freedom, and with Ofsted placing a much greater emphasis on the effectiveness of school governing bodies, the importance of getting the right people was crucial, Cllr Bennett added.

School governors play an increasingly important role ensuring the effectiveness of a school. They are responsible for recruitment of head teachers, ensuring the effective management of a school, and challenging the leadership team to ensure the best possible standards are achieved.

They work in close partnership with the school's headteacher and senior management team to deliver the best possible education to support their pupils to fulfill their potential.

Cllr Bennett said: “School governors come from all walks of life and they are volunteers. You don't have to be a parent, know about education or be a particular type of person. All you need, really, is to be 18 and have a real desire to make a difference – and that's the reward, a real sense that you are making a contribution and helping children.”

There can be as many as 2,500 volunteer governors at schools across the county. But schools always have vacancies and so the County Council is looking for people with a range of skills and expertise that could make a real contribution.

“It's a really great volunteering opportunity and it gives anyone interested the chance to apply their skills and experience within a new environment. We're particularly looking for people who have skills or experience in areas such as finance, health and safety, marketing and communications, personnel issues, and special educational needs.” Cllr Bennett added.

To help with the recruitment, the County Council has teamed up with a national charity called School Governors' One-Stop Shop (SGOSS). It helps schools that are looking for new governors, and it helps potential governors who want to help a school.

Schools in East Sussex that are looking for governors have been encouraged to sign up with SGOSS to help them with their recruitment, and anyone interested in becoming a school governor is also being encouraged to get in touch – either with the SGOSS or with the County Council's Governor Services team.

Anyone who wants more information should visit
SGOSS at http://www.sgoss.org.uk/ or call 020 7288 9533
Governor Services at sis.governorservices@eastsussex.gov.uk

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