Local Governors

About the Role

For the schools in our Trust, a sense of place matters: the history, geography, social and economic context underpins the views and experiences of pupils, staff, and parents. A well-functioning local tier of governance provides the Trust Board with insight into the unique challenges and opportunities faced by our various communities. With this in mind each school the Trust has a local governing body (‘LGB’) composed of a group of volunteers drawn from the wider community. These volunteers bring a range of skills, experience, and professional expertise to support the school’s senior leadership team at a strategic level. We are dedicated to diversity in our governance structure, and to ensuring that every voice is heard respectfully. Our Local Governors provide essential links between the school, parents/carers, the local community, and the Trust board, which is ultimately responsible to the Department of Education for the performance of all its schools.

What skills and experience we're looking for

Our LGBs provide strategic oversight at the local school level of the management and operation of each school on behalf of the Trust Board. The LGB does not run the school on a day-to-day basis; this is the job of the Headteacher and other senior staff. A passion for education and a willingness to contribute to the school and its wider community are the main qualities we look for in our governance volunteers. Specifically local governors are responsible for maintaining strategic oversight in their school of Standards, Safeguarding, Special Educational Needs provision and Stakeholder engagement. Other areas that governors are involved in include the school's vision and strategy, and panel work where you may be asked to sit on panels to consider suspensions and exclusions or complaints.

What the school offers its staff

As a Trust we offer new governance volunteers a full induction and ongoing training and support.

Further details about the role

Time commitment Volunteering to be a local governor does require time commitment but is a rewarding position that provides essential support for the school and the Trust. Local Governors are expected to attend at least 4 full local governor meetings per year, usually held in the evening and lasting approximately two hours and which will have required reading of reports from the school leadership before each meeting. There is also an expectation that all local governors will wherever possible make themselves available to sit on Pupil Disciplinary or Complaint panels for their school, and they may also be asked to take on a specific link governor role which will involve termly visits with the link area staff lead at the school and producing a report for the wider LGB. Local governors are encouraged to attend school events such as annual school productions, parent forums, concerts and art shows and complete appropriate training. An appointed local governor’s term of office is usually four years.

Further details about the role

How to apply

If you are interested in finding out more about our governor vacancies or would like to request an application form please contact Shalene Varcoe, Head of Governance on svarcoe@tcset.org.uk

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

The Charter Schools Educational Trust is committed to equality and diversity, and to being a family where everyone can be themselves. We are committed to continuous improvement in how representative we are of our local communities, including gender, ethnicity, religion, age, and all other aspects of diversity.

We offer family friendly, flexible working arrangements, and staff networks to provide a supportive environment in the workplace where members can receive peer to peer support.

The Charter Schools Educational Trust is committed to safeguarding the welfare of all children and young people and expects all its staff to share this commitment.

Job Title
Local Governors
Start Date
May 1, 2025
As soon as possible
Department
Local Governing Bodies (Various)
Pay Scale
Voluntary position
Contract type
Volunteer
Working Pattern
See role description
Closing date for applications
March 25, 2025

Organisation Information

The Charter School Bermondsey

Keeton's Road,

Southwark

London

SE16 2BT

0203 542 6506

info@charterbermondsey.org.uk

www.charterbermondsey.org.uk