Governor & Director Recruitment
If you’re new to the world of school governance, the concept of becoming a Governor or Director could potentially be daunting; we hope that this page will answer some of the questions that you may have regarding becoming a Governor or a Director.
If you find that any of your questions go unanswered, or if you would like to go ahead and start your new journey as a Governor, our friendly and supportive Governance Team is on hand to help and provide you with any guidance you may need. The contact details for the Governance Team are available at the bottom of this page.
Foundation Governor recruitment.
If you are interested in finding out more about becoming a Foundation Governor at one of our schools please feel free to download the information pack titled “Help the light of Catholic education shine bright”.
Foundation Governor vacancies
Foundation Governors are members of a Catholic school’s Academy Council. It is a voluntary role with a term of office of 4 years. The Bishop entrusts the power of governance, which he received at his Episcopal Ordination, to the Foundation Governors of each school’s Academy Council; he actively relies upon their support to exercise his role effectively.
Foundation Governors play an especially important role in the governance of a Catholic School as they are advocates for the Bishop’s vision: ‘To preserve and develop Catholic Education for the benefit of our pupils’. Unlike the other members of an Academy Council, Foundation Governors have a special connection to the Bishop, as he appoints them personally.
Develop new skills
If you do come from a background of education you may choose to serve on the Academy Council of a different phase of education. For example, if you have worked within a primary school setting you may opt to serve as a secondary school Foundation Governor. Serving within a different phase of education could provide you with a whole new educational perspective and provide you with much needed experience should you consider transferring to an alternative educational phase in the future.
If you are experienced in a solely pupil-facing role, being a Foundation Governor will enable you to experience the management of a school, strategies and how important decisions are made.
Grow as a Catholic
Foundation Governors build up the Catholic Church through their engagement with the education sector.
The time that you spend being a Governor is a concrete expression of Christian charity. Through focusing on ordinary things, such as the development of the curriculum, the Catholic life of the school, finance and safeguarding, you create environments in which our children can flourish, significantly promoting the common good of wider society.
School governance is a collective enterprise and through listening to and learning from each other, Academy Councils seek to model purposeful Christian fellowship which is always oriented to the good of others and to the glory of God.
The work of school governors is often unperceived by others, for it involves putting into practice Christ's injunction that in our acts of mercy ``...our left hand should not know what our right hand is doing.`` (Mathew 6:3)
Social connectedness promotes overall health and wellbeing
Research has also shown that those who regularly engage in volunteering experience higher levels of mental wellbeing than those who have never volunteered.
The primary function of all school Governors (not only Foundation Governors) is to provide supportive challenge to the school’s functions, monitor, and acquire assurances that school leaders are fulfilling their duties as per the school development plan and needs of the pupils.
Governors support the school, but are also prepared to question why decisions have been made and request information about the school to help them in their monitoring role.
As a Governor, you will gain a behind the scenes experience in school management. For example, you will monitor and challenge school leaders within the following areas:
- Finance and resources.
- Curriculum standards.
- Safeguarding, behaviour and attendance.
- Staffing, HR and wellbeing.
- SEND and pastoral care.
and much more…
As a Catholic Trust, the Catholic Diocese of Leeds dictates the required constitution (structure) of a school Academy Council.
- Headteacher- 1
- Staff Governor- 1
- Parent Governor- 2
- Foundation Governor-6
Upon appointment, a full Term of Office is 4 years. After 4 years, there is an opportunity to be re-appointed.
All Governors have the same status and work together towards the same purpose.
Foundation Governors
Foundation Governors play an important part in maintaining and developing the Catholic character of Academies.
Each Academy Council has six Foundation Governors, which must always outnumber all other categories of Governor by two to ensure the preservation and development of the Catholic character of the Academy.
Interested persons must complete an application form, which will be sent by the Trust Governance Team to the Leeds Diocese for processing- This category of Governor is appointed by Bishop Marcus.
Parent Governors
A Parent Governors provide a vital parental perspective for the discussions taking place in meetings. The Academy Council as a whole will take steps to understand how parents feel, whilst acknowledging that anyone on the Academy Council who is a parent themselves will have valuable knowledge and perspectives about the Academy to bring to discussions and decisions, and helps to guarantee that there is a link between Governance and the parent community.
Each Academy Council has two Parent Governors. The Academy Council invites nominations from parents of pupils at the Academy to apply for the positions as vacancies arise.
If there are more nominations than vacancies available, an election is held by secret ballot and the successful candidate is appointed as a Parent Governor. The number of Parent Governors is made up of persons appointed by the Academy Council if the number of parents standing for election is less than the number of vacancies.
Parents of children at the Academy with an interest in becoming a Parent Governor should contact the Headteacher or Chair of the Academy Council who will advise whether there are any vacancies.
Staff Governors
The Staff Governor provides a vital staff perspective for the discussions taking place in meetings.
The Academy Council invites nominations from all staff employed working at the Academy. If there are more nominations than vacancies available, an election is held by secret ballot and the successful candidate is appointed as a Governor.
Staff Governors have the same role and responsibilities as any other Governor. They are elected by staff and bring a helpful perspective to the Academy Council. Staff Governors are not elected to represent all staff, but are elected in order to contribute to the work of the Academy Council.
Employees of the Academy with an interest in becoming a Staff Governor should contact the Headteacher or Chair of the Academy Council of the relevant Academy who will advise whether there are any vacancies.
No experience is required. Although relevant experience as a school Governor or within an education setting is welcomed, it is useful to have alternative skill sets and perspectives so an Academy Council represents the local community. If you do not have experience, you have other life experience and transferable skills that may be useful to bring to the Academy Council.
If you are in education, or you are considering developing a career in education, then serving as a Governor will provide an opportunity to develop your skill set and may lead to career progression. Please feel free to read the booklet which has been created for staff within our Trust highlighting the role of Foundation Governor for more information about how the role of Governor could benefit you.
Academy Council meetings generally take place on 6 evenings throughout the academic year and last around 2 hours.
If other commitments get in the way, Governors can send their apologies for the meeting, alternatively, remote access to the meeting can be arranged. However, to fulfil a Governor’s role effectively, it is better to attend all meetings in person if possible.
If you have any concerns about this matter please talk to the Chair or the Headteacher. If you would like to see an example of a typical Academy Council calendar, please get in touch with the Governance Team.
If you would like to discuss the time commitment of a Director, please contact the Governance Team, as this can vary due to the participation in committees and working parties which support the full Trust Board.
Please click the link for Governor Eligibility relevant to all Governor types.
Directors, like Governors are volunteers, however, they are accountable for the decisions made at Trust level. The Trust Board sets the strategic direction and monitors the development of the Trust strategy through a variety of subcommittees, meetings, visits, data, reports, internal and external audits and uses this information to inform its future decisions. The areas that the Trust Board deals with include:
- Mission & Catholic Life
- Safeguarding
- IT and Cybersecurity
- Curriculum
- Finance
- Governance/legal
- Estates/business operations
- Staff/HR
It is advised that Directors have strong Governor experience or relevant skills or experience in one or more of the above subjects. However, if you have any questions regarding your suitability for a role as Director, please contact a member of our Trust’s Governance Team.
As well as being welcomed as a part of a friendly, supportive and inclusive community, and the feel-good factor of making a difference in the lives of pupils, becoming a Governor or Director offers an opportunity to build a wealth of transferable skills and network regularly with like-minded, skilled individuals from a variety of backgrounds.
Perhaps you have an interest in building a career in education? The skills and knowledge you will acquire as Governor or Director will set you apart from those who have not had your experience.
Our Trust has access to a plethora of platforms for learning and training opportunities. As a Governor or Director, you will benefit from a supportive Trust Governance Team who will guide you through the application process, right through to your last day of office, alongside being amongst an abundance of skilled and experienced peers who share best practices in the ever-developing landscape of education.
Governor training and development opportunities are offered by the Trust, the Diocese, Local Authorities, the National Governance Association and other training providers. The training and development opportunities will serve to better your output as a Governor or Director, however, it goes without saying that the benefits will be seen in your personal and professional life by experiencing the new prospects of growth and opportunity.