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School Governorship: is it worth it?

Laura Hood

Hi all

I have recently seen a few adverts for the opportunity to be a governor of a number of local schools. They often want someone with HR experience. 

I know that this would be tough - they say it would be around a day a month but I am sure it would be much more. However, I would like a place on our Company's board and felt that this would potentially give me a (safer) stomping ground and an opportunity to work strategically, whilst offering my skills which I'm sure would be rewarding.

Does anyone have any insight into this?

Parents
  • Hi Laura,

    Quite a few views for you to ponder! As someone who has been a Community Governor for a Junior School, then Chair of Governors and now a Parent Governor for a Secondary School, I think you need to ask about the value you'd bring to the School and what you'd experience as a result. I've had a mixed experience from real involvement in changing the direction of a school to feeling a bit of a spare part with not much input despite my HR experience (which occasionally has been considered). My view is simply that schools need governors and that HR professionals can add to the school. You need to get your voice heard and not sit back (which as someone has said is difficult as finding the time can be challenging - I wouldn't do Chair of Governors again at the moment!) but equally there isn't a huge commitment and sometimes your advice can make a difference. As someone else has also said it may not, however, give you any particular strategic experience akin to that you'd want at the level of a Company Board.
Reply
  • Hi Laura,

    Quite a few views for you to ponder! As someone who has been a Community Governor for a Junior School, then Chair of Governors and now a Parent Governor for a Secondary School, I think you need to ask about the value you'd bring to the School and what you'd experience as a result. I've had a mixed experience from real involvement in changing the direction of a school to feeling a bit of a spare part with not much input despite my HR experience (which occasionally has been considered). My view is simply that schools need governors and that HR professionals can add to the school. You need to get your voice heard and not sit back (which as someone has said is difficult as finding the time can be challenging - I wouldn't do Chair of Governors again at the moment!) but equally there isn't a huge commitment and sometimes your advice can make a difference. As someone else has also said it may not, however, give you any particular strategic experience akin to that you'd want at the level of a Company Board.
Children
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