Governors — frequently asked questions.

What does a governor do?

School governors provide strategic leadership, robust accountability and oversight of educational and financial performance. That means helping set a clear ethos, vision and direction; making sure money is well used; and ensuring the learning, organisation and leadership is as good as it can be.

Each governor is also assigned to particular areas of school life — safeguarding, SEN, premises, wellbeing, finance, curriculum.

What's expected of you?

The full governing body meets at least twice a term, with separate working parties when needed. It probably equates to about a half-day a month. You'll be expected to read the papers before each meeting and bring good questions.

Most of our current governors work full-time and fit the role around their other commitments — but we equally welcome retirees, part-time workers, or anyone with the skills and the appetite for the job.

Do you need experience?

No. Plenty of training and mentoring is available, plus a supportive team alongside you who all care deeply about getting the best for every pupil at Swiss Gardens.

What is useful is people bringing their professional skills and experience into the room. Skills we'd especially welcome on the board: finance, risk management, data analysis, safeguarding, SEND, HR, marketing and communications, and health & safety.

What kind of people do we want?

We'd particularly like to hear from you if you have:

• A desire to contribute to and represent our diverse community
• An open and enquiring mind
• The ability to look at issues strategically and objectively
• The confidence to ask questions and join in debate
• A willingness to listen and make informed judgements
• The ability to work well, challenge and support others
• Willingness to dedicate your time for the greater good

You don't need to be a parent at the school to become a co-opted school governor — many of our most valuable members joined that way.

What's in it for you?

The warm-fuzzy feeling of helping create the conditions for hundreds of children to learn and thrive. A real chance to give something back to your local community. And a chance to develop your own skills in a board-level environment — many governors find the experience genuinely useful in their own working lives.