School Governors: The benefits of being a school governor

In the last post of our ‘School Governors’ series, we looked at who school governors are and what they do. We explored how, as a school governor, you’ll provide support and challenge to senior leadership and work with the board to develop the strategic vision for the school. Being involved in activities such as the headteacher appraisal, data analysis and monitoring wellbeing offers a fantastic opportunity to extend your experience and develop your leadership skills. In this blog post, we’ll explore in more detail the benefits of becoming a school governor. 

 

The benefits of being a school governor 

Serving as a school governor is a highly rewarding experience, offering numerous personal and professional benefits. At a glance, the main benefits of being a school governor are: 

• Having the chance to experience leadership at board level at any point in your career.  
• The opportunity to develop and improve your technical and interpersonal skills. 
• Building professional networks with people who work within the same and different industries to yourself.   
• Using your lived experience and skills to bring a new perspective to a governing board/school.  
• Ensuring voices from different groups and communities are represented. This includes voices from groups which may often struggle to be heard within education. 
• Self fulfilment from making a difference to a school within your local community and helping to shape people’s futures. 

Experiencing leadership at board level 

Serving as a school governor often involves taking on leadership roles within the governing body, such as chairing committees or leading specific projects. These responsibilities provide excellent opportunities to develop and demonstrate leadership skills. You learn to lead with confidence, build consensus, and inspire others to achieve common goals. Such experiences are highly regarded in professional environments, making you a more attractive candidate for leadership positions. 

Developing technical and interpersonal skills to enhance your career 

One of the most compelling benefits of being a school governor is the significant opportunity for career development. School governors often develop their skills in leadership, finance strategic planning and human resources. These skills are highly transferable and can enhance your career prospects in numerous fields. For example, being a school governor provides an excellent opportunity to develop financial acumen by offering experience in financial oversight and budget management. 

School governors must also analyse complex information, consider diverse viewpoints, and make informed decisions that benefit the school. These experiences enhance critical thinking and problem-solving skills, which are invaluable in both personal and professional contexts. In addition to this, school governors work with the headteacher and senior leadership team to develop a vision for the school and establish long-term goals, enhancing their abilities to think long-term. This is a skill that is highly valued in many professional roles. Strategic thinking is essential for career advancement, particularly in leadership and management positions. 

Professional networking opportunities 

Being a school governor provides extensive networking opportunities. You work closely with other school governors, school staff, parents, and local authorities, building strong relationships and expanding your professional network. These connections can open doors to new career opportunities, provide valuable references, and offer support and advice for your career development. 

Bringing your lived experience and skills to a governing board 

School governors come from all walks of life and professional sectors. One of the benefits of being a school governor is that regardless of what industry you’re in, you have skills and lived experience that school governing boards are looking for. Whether you are at the start of your career or retired, you can still make an important impact in your local community by sitting on a school governing board. 

Ensuring voices from different communities are heard 

School governing boards need diversity. Different voices around a table allows for an avoidance of echo chambers, where there is a lack of challenge, and students aren’t always treated equally and equitably. You may be a young person recently out of education, neurodivergent, and/or a part of another community that is often underrepresented at board level. If so, schools would benefit from your lived experience and knowledge. Alternatively, if you’re a part of a group well-represented within schools, a benefit of being a school governor is being able to learn about, and bring knowledge of different communities of people to a board to use your privilege to make a difference. You can find out more about inclusion within school governance by looking at our inclusive governance blog series. 

Making a difference and shaping young minds 

Finally, the role of a school governor is in itself rewarding. Knowing that your efforts contribute to the success and well-being of students provides a profound sense of fulfilment. This sense of purpose can be a powerful motivator and a source of personal satisfaction. Additionally, being a school governor fosters a deep sense of community involvement, allowing you to give back to your community and make a positive impact on the next generation of students. 

  

Find out more 

This blog post was created as part of our ‘School Governors’ series. Click below to read our final entry to find out more about the support we offer to school governors. Alternatively, if you’re ready to apply to become a school governor, you can visit our quick application form.

Support on offer when taking on the role