The Westgate School (all-through) is unique in its educational provision for children and young people. As a community of learning, we are always seeking new expertise and insight. We are seeking to recruit to the Board an independent, co-opted governor with particular experience in:

• Building and construction

• Health services

  
  

The following information explains what the role of a school governor is, the benefits and the expectations of you.

The role of the school governor:

• Governing bodies have a strong focus on three core strategic functions: Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and direction of the school

• Holding leaders to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and the performance of employees

• Overseeing the financial performance of the school and ensuring money is well spent

• Each individual governor is a member of a governing body and all decisions are the joint responsibility of the governing body. 

• No one governor is expected to know it all. The strength of a governing body lies in its ability to attract and rely upon members from a wide variety of backgrounds, share out the duties amongst its members, and be able to take decisions as a group and in partnership with school leaders.

  
  

Benefits of being a governor:

Being a school governor can be a very rewarding role. Here are some benefits:

• the knowledge that you are helping schools and pupils,

• the satisfaction of giving something back to the community,

• a sense of purpose and achievement,

• new skills which may be transferable elsewhere,

• broader horizons,

• new friends and workmates, and

• training and support to help you fulfil your duties and responsibilities

Expectations

At The Westgate School we link governors to specific School Development Plan objectives as written by the School’s leadership team as well as to curriculum areas or phases; some governors also have a special responsibility, for example, Development and Training, Safeguarding or Health and Safety.

We suggest it will require about 20 to 30 hours per term, for tasks including:

• prior reading of paperwork and the preparation of questions before meetings,

• attendance at full governing body meetings (6 per annum),

• school quality assurance activities,

• reviewing policies and the school’s use of resources,

• attendance to governor training, and

• membership of Disciplinary Panels/Governors hearings.

Safeguarding:

The Westgate School and Hampshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.  All governor appointments are subject to a DBS and identity check.

If you are interested in becoming a governor at The Westgate School then please use our contact form on our contact page to 'general enquiries' FAO the Headteacher’s PA, Mrs. K Wild for an exploratory meeting with the Headteacher and Chair of Governors.