This Volunteers Week, we are celebrating some of the excellent work done by outstanding volunteers, and today we are looking at people supporting our schools as school Governors.
Governors are the strategic leaders within schools and are responsible for promoting high educational achievement standards, ensuring every child and adult in their school flourishes.
Governors can make a huge difference to a school, pupils, their families and the community.
Effective governing boards work collectively to make their schools a place of Christian welcome where adults and children flourish.
Di Tunnard is one of the governors at Sharow CE Primary School in the Ripon area, and has shared something of her experience of being a Governor.
She writes: “I was asked by the Priest in Charge of Sharow if I would be interested in becoming a Foundation Governor at Sharow School.
“I attended a couple of meetings, listening and making a few notes and initially wasn't sure how I would be able to make a meaningful contribution.
“My background in Education Leadership has enabled me to support the Headteacher in recruitment of staff across the board. I have also been involved in the Headteacher's appraisal, and I currently chair the School Development Committee.
“Our Governing Body is strong, with members bringing different strengths to the table. We enjoy the presentations that Subject Leaders make to us, giving us detailed information about their curriculum areas, schemes of work, assessments and pupil engagement. We are also encouraged to focus on a particular area of the curriculum, and I have recently written a report on the development of R.E. including world faiths.
“It's a real pleasure to be in school and interacting with the staff. and pupils - the latter always keen to chat about their work, and so polite and friendly to visitors, staff and each other.”
Our Education Team are here to help support all those working in schools, including Governors.
To find out more and what support we can offer, please click here.