Have you ever moaned about the fact that the young people applying for jobs in your company don't have the sort of education that you need?
You have a real chance to change that by becoming a school governor in Wokingham and doing something concrete to help your local community.
But why should I become a Governor? | |
Here are just a few reasons: |
| - It offers opportunities for your own personal development, giving you the chance to get involved with strategic management. This can help you to develop skills in areas such as recruitment, personnel, buildings management, training, public relations, people management and forward planning that you might not be directly involved in at work. The school will benefit from your existing skills.
- You can become really involved in your local community - a great way of making it feel more like 'home' especially if you've recently relocated here.
- There's the personal reward of making a difference to children's lives and raising school standards - this tangible and often 'feel good' benefit can be a great way of taking your mind off the stresses and strains of business life!
- You can have a real hand in shaping education in the area, contributing to the training of employees of the future.
- It can open up a meaningful relationship between your company and a local school with possibilities of corporate sponsorship programmes bringing mutual benefits such as good publicity.
- Parents who have taken a career break can use the opportunity to ease back into the working environment.
- And, last but not least, it's good for your CV - being a governor demonstrates your commitment to working in partnership for the good of the community.
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What would be expected of me? A lot of time and commitment will be needed from you. | |
Governing bodies usually meet at least once a term. They usually have sub-groups meeting more often to look in detail at specific areas such as finance, staffing, curriculum and premises. |
The amount of commitment involved need not be daunting - the amount of time you devote to it will depend on how involved you become and what needs doing. It might help you to know that school governors have a legal right to reasonable unpaid leave from their employers.
Sometimes difficult decisions have to be made about individual pupils or members of staff and, at times, it may be hard work, but there is plenty of support available both from inside and outside the school. Training and support is available from us and there is even a governors' website.
The benefits do make up for the hard work
Don't take our word for it - here are some comments from businesspeople who are governors ...
What does being a school governor involve?
'Time, effort, commitment, a sense of humour, being part of a team.'
What do you get out of it?
Tony Stokoe Absolute Events and Exhibitions said:
'A sense of belonging to a wider community, a different perspective outside the business world, meeting some new people from all different walks of life and, most of all, the chance to work with children and enjoy the fresh approach they have to life.'
Mark Ashwell of TradeMark Windows Ltd said:
'Being a governor gives you the opportunity to work within the school team of governors, staff and parents, sharing ideas and problem solving. What I have learnt has been valuable and I have been able to take it back and apply it in my business team. I hope what I have put into the school has been valuable too.'
How can I find out more?
