Do you want to be a Governor?
If you are thinking about becoming a Governor, the information on this page should help you in your decision. Choose from the links below to learn more about what Governors do:
- Composition of Governing Bodies
- Useful Skills for Prospective Governors
- Governor Vacancies and Recruitment in Sheffield
You may find it useful to visit our I'm a New Governor - What Do I Do? page or look at some of the websites listed under Useful Links for Governors.
At the bottom of this page you can view or download a document giving more information about how to become a school governor and also download an application form to become a school governor.
If you have any questions or require any information on becoming a Governor please Contact the Governor Support Team.
Composition of Governing Bodies
School Governing Bodies are made up of:
- Parent Governors
- Staff Governors (including the Headteacher, unless they choose not to be a Governor)
- Local Authority (LA) Governors
- Community Governors
- Foundation Governors (in Church and Foundation schools)
- Sponsor Governors (in a few schools in Sheffield)
Governing Bodies vary in size from 9 to 22.
Governing Bodies may also have Associate Governors (who do not have voting rights).
Observers (with or without speaking rights) may be invited to meetings and non-Governors (with voting rights) may be co-opted onto Committees.
Observers (with or without speaking rights) may be invited to meetings and non-Governors (with voting rights) may be co-opted onto Committees.
Useful Skills for Prospective Governors
If you have particular skills or experience or can represent a particular part of the local community you may want to become involved.
We would particularly like to hear from prospective Governors who feel they can bring some of the following skills:
- Team Building
- Chairing Skills
- Strategic Planning
- Monitoring and Evaluation
- Education Management
- Business Management
- Financial Planning
- Personnel Management
- Fundraising
- Community Development
- Work with Children and Young People
Please do not be put off applying if you are not sure what you can offer. Anyone who is committed to our children achieving to their potential and willing to commit themselves to the work of the Governing Body will find that their skills, experience or perspective will be useful.
Find out more about what Governors do, or apply to become a school governor, by downloading the documents below. You can also find further information by visiting Governornet, the website for School Governors set up by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF).
Governor Vacancies and Recruitment
We support schools across the city in recruiting Governors and give priority to schools as follows:
- Identification and appointment of Additional Governors for schools in Special Measures or with a Notice to Improve following OfSTED inspection
- Schools with "turnover" vacancies where the current position leaves the Governing Body with insufficient capacity to share the workload
- Schools where Governor recruitment is an ongoing issue
- Schools where the Governing Body wants to bring on board particular skills or experience, including "Business Governors" and community representation
In many cases the Governing Bodies we support in this way would like new members who would be willing and have the skills and experience, to take on the responsibility of chairing committees.
Often the schools concerned are not local to prospective Governors so we are particularly keen to hear from people who will consider governorship in any area of the city.
Please Contact the Governor Support Team on 0114 250 6868 if you are interested in becoming a Governor at a school where we have priority vacancies.
Downloads
View or download more information on becoming a school governor. (459 KB)
View or download an application form to become a school governor. (477 KB)
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