Become a Local Governor

Each school within Waterton Academy Trust has an Academy Standards Committee (ASC), which is made up of Parent, Community and Staff Governors, who review, monitor and evaluate educational provision to foster an environment where all children reach their full potential.

Governors provide support and challenge to hold the Headteacher to account for the performance of the school. The ASC works together to ensure clarity of vision, values, ethos and strategic direction of the school. The overall governance structure at Waterton Academy Trust can be seen below.

Why volunteer as a Governor? 

School governors make a valuable contribution to children’s education, opportunities and futures. Being a school governor is a challenging but hugely rewarding role. It will give you the chance to make a real difference to young people, give something back to your local community and use and develop your skills in a board-level environment. 
You will also be joining the largest volunteer force in the country: there are over a quarter of a million volunteers governing state funded schools in England. 
Schools need governing boards that have a balance and diversity of knowledge, skills and experience to enable it to be effective. 

What training is available to support me in my role as Governor?

Governance across Waterton Academy Trust is built upon those making the decisions to have the appropriate knowledge. As a trust we work in partnership with system leaders and the Local Authority to ensure our training package for governors is the best it can be. We offer a range of e-learning and face to face training on various topics accessible at a convenient time for our governors. Our Trust School Improvement Team and Governance Team also deliver Waterton bespoke sessions to ensure you have the information and tools you need to carry out your role effectively. We provide a Waterton Governor Induction and have a team of staff who are available to support you and answer any queries you may have. As a trust we also provide IT training and support to you in your role as governor to ensure that you are able to access the full library of training and resources available to you. 

Who can be a Governor? 

Anyone aged 18 or over can be a governor (but there are some exceptions) and you do not need to be a parent of a child at the school. There is no requirement for you to have an understanding of the education system, just the necessary skills, character and time to contribute. All Governors must adhere to the Governance Code of Conduct. Every Governor has a responsibility to hold the Headteacher to account, and ask robust and challenging questions, but these must be appropriate and objective, and meetings should not be used to raise issues.

What is a Parent Governor?

A Parent Governor is a governor in the same way as a community or staff governor. They bring a parental perspective to the ASC which is a vital viewpoint. However, it is crucial to note that a parent governor is not a spokesperson for parents, nor should they bring personal matters to the ASC meeting.

What do Governors do? 

Governors work together to carry out their core functions in holding senior leaders to account for the educational performance of the school as set out within the Scheme of Delegation – this includes, but is not limited to;

• attending meetings (3 ASC meetings each year – one per term), reading papers and preparing questions for senior leaders in advance
• getting to know the school, including visiting the school occasionally during school hours at times agreed with the Headteacher and support with monitoring visits. 
• vsiting the school to monitor implementation of the strategy and reporting back to the ASC
• ensuring that all pupils have access to a broad and balanced curriculum such that pupils are well prepared for the next stage of their education and adult life 
• ensuring the required policies and procedures are in place and the school is operating effectively in line with these policies
• asking challenging questions of school leaders in order to hold them to account

How do I find out more? 

To find out more information and how to apply, please contact the Governance Team on 01924 240767 governance@watertonacademytrust.org

How to I apply? 

To apply for the role of governor please complete an ‘expression of interest form’  and forward to governance@watertonacademytrust.org