Vacancies
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School Governors
Several opportunities have arisen for School Governors at Furzedown Primary School. Becoming a school governor is a rewarding role and will allow you the opportunity to use your skills and attributes to have a positive impact on the education of all of the children in our school. You will be able to develop and learn new skills, take on different challenges and work as part of an established and successful Governing Board with a record of successful mentoring and support.
About us:
Furzedown Primary School is a hidden oasis in the heart of the local Tooting community situated in the southernmost extremity of the borough of Wandsworth.
We are a two-form entry school that is a happy, inclusive place with a strong sense of individuality and history, very much reflective of our diverse community where difference is respected and celebrated! We are proud of our school and its holistic approach to ensuring that every child achieves their full potential.
Through the commitment and expertise of our staff in conjunction with our parents and governors, we provide a high-quality education that is unique, stimulating, fun and engaging. Underpinning our approach is the belief that every child has an equitable right to a consistent opportunity to be safe, happy and is nurtured to grow spiritually, mentally, physically and academically.
Our Ofsted report from July 2022 states that:
“Furzedown Primary School continues to be a good school...”
“Furzedown is a welcoming and inclusive school. Pupils are proud to be part of the Furzedown
community...”
“Leaders have high expectations for pupils in all areas of their learning. Pupils work hard and want to succeed...”
“Leaders prioritise learning to read right from the start of Nursery...”
Our Governing body is committed to continuous improvement and as such we are seeking Governors who would bolster our strong and committed team in challenging the school’s performance to ensure continued rapid improvement for all our pupils.
For further information please visit our website: Furzedown Primary School - Home (furzedownschool.co.uk)
Additional information regarding the role
What is a school governor?
A governor is a volunteer who gives their time to oversee the long-term development of the school. The three main areas a governor is involved in are:
- Support and Challenge: This includes asking the difficult questions and holding the school to account for its actions, using your skills and experiences to support the school in achieving its aims and recognising good performance.
- Providing Strategic Leadership: This Includes helping to set the school’s aims and objectives and analysing decisions to check they are achieving the desired results.
- Making Executive Decisions: This includes budget setting and monitoring, purchasing and premises and appointing senior staff e.g. the Headteacher.
Being a governor is an incredibly valuable experience. It is a unique opportunity to give something back to the community and further develop your own skills and experiences, and perhaps benefit your own professional development and career progression.
All Governors are expected to:
- Support the aims of your school
- Visit and get to know your school
- Work in partnership with the Headteacher, senior leadership team and other governors to raise standards and improve outcomes for all children
- Prepare for meetings by reading papers beforehand
- Take responsibility for your own learning and development as a governor including attending training
- Attend full governing board and relevant committee meetings promptly, regularly, and for the full time
- Read briefings and newsletters for governors
- Be loyal to the decisions made by the governing board
- Respect the confidentiality of governing board affairs and sign a legally binding confidentiality agreement.
- Declare an interest and withdraw from any meeting where you, a partner or close relative or associate stands to gain, or where you are so close to a matter discussed it is difficult to be impartial.
- Have regard to the broader responsibilities as a governor of a public institution in regard to promoting accountability for the actions and performance of the governing board.
- Uphold the Nolan Principles. For more information please see: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-7-principles-of-public-life
Can I be a school governor?
- You must be aged 18 and over.
- You must be living in the UK.
- You must be committed to the role and able to dedicate enough time (see below) to being an active member of the governing board.
- You must not be an elected member of the County Council.
- You should meet the relevant statutory eligibility criteria for school governors as set out in the Regulations and agree to an enhanced DBS check being completed.
- You will have: an interest in all the children’s futures, a desire to make a difference, a willingness to accept responsibility, an ability to work in a team, ask questions, listen and learn.
The Skills we are seeking to Recruit (it is not expected that all Governors will have these/all of these) but where we have more than one candidate for a role, we will select or nominate based on the skills required.
- Finance
- Premises/Property/Facilities Management
- Health and safety
- Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
- Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
- Change management
How much time will it take?
The average time commitment is approx. 8-10 hours per term per term (3 terms per year). This includes one full governing board meeting and governor morning in school (all governors attend) and one committee meeting (only members of the committee attend). All governors are expected to join at least one committee, Curriculum and Achievement (C&A) or Finance and Resources (F&R). The time commitment above includes time needed for background reading to prepare for meetings, school monitoring visits etc.
School governors are like magistrates or members of a jury and therefore have a right to reasonable time off work for their public duties (although this may be unpaid). Check with your Human Resources
Department for your company’s policy on this.
How long does a governor role last?
School governors have a minimum term of office of four years. However, as a volunteer you can resign at any time if your circumstances change.
Will I be offered any training and support?
All new governors will undergo a full induction process which will be overseen by a designated Governor Mentor (as per our Governor Induction Policy). This will include the completion of a skills audit and the development of a tailored training plan for the individual governor and the role(s) they are taking.
What is the legal responsibility of a governor?
Maintained school governing boards are corporate bodies that are legally responsible for the conduct of the school. Because of this, individual governors are generally protected from personal liability because of the governing board's decisions and actions. Provided they act honestly, reasonably and in good faith, any liability will fall on the governing board even if it exceeds its powers, rather than on individual members. All Governors will be covered by a liability Insurance.
Which positions are available?
Co-opted governors - appointed by the Governing Board and who, in the opinion of the Governing Board, have the skills needed to contribute to the effective governance and success of the school.
How can I apply?
To apply please send a letter of introduction stating why you would like to be a governor at Furzedown Primary School, which position(s) you are applying for, how you meet the skills and experiences criteria (above) and what you would bring to the role. Please send this by e-mail to the Clerk to Governors Selina McClure at selina.mcclure@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk
Need further information?
If you would like more information, or would like to discuss the role further, please contact Selina McClure using the e-mail address above.
You can also visit the governance section of the school website for further information on the work of governors at Furzedown Primary School - Governors Information (furzedownschool.co.uk) and view the DfE Governance Handbook and Competency Framework at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/governance-handbook.
How long do I have to apply?
The closing date for applications will be Monday 6th November 2023
Furzedown Primary School is a diverse community, and it is important to us that our governing board reflects that. We welcome and encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and abilities.
The school is also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff, Governors and volunteers to share in this commitment. All postholders in regulated activity are subject to appropriate vetting procedures and a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.
