Are you interested in becoming a link governor for careers and work-related learning in a secondary setting? This document gives a brief description of the role and outlines some of the main areas of responsibility.
It is a statutory requirement that secondary schools:
- Appoint a Careers Leader
- Comply with the Baker Clause, which requires schools to allow training providers to discuss technical education routes with their pupils
- Publish careers policy statements on the school’s website
- Commit to delivering independent and impartial guidance
In order to ensure that these statutory responsibilities are met, it is recommended that secondary schools appoint a Link Governor for Careers to create a connection between the governing board and the wider school / Trust.
We’ve broken down the link governor role into three main areas: strategy, action, and review. In most schools, the first priority should be to review the current situation and work with the appropriate staff member(s) to develop a strategy moving forward.
The vast majority of the active work should be carried out by staff members. However, there are actions that governors can take based on their knowledge and professional networks to add value to the school and broaden their awareness of, and access to, opportunities they may otherwise be unaware of.
The Careers and Enterprise Company have created excellent resources to support the Link Governor, including this highly recommended document.
Link Governor for Careers and Work-Related Learning areas of responsibility
Strategy
The Link Governor should take a strategic interest in careers education and guidance and encourage employer engagement for careers.
The Link Governor for careers should ensure that the school is constantly reviewing its practice to ensure that there is a coordinated approach to careers and implementing the 8 Gatsby Benchmarks across the school.
Understanding how similar schools have approached this with success and sharing this knowledge with the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) to offer insight into best practices.
Action
Act as the point of contact on the governing board for the member of staff who has responsibility for careers education and guidance.
Explore current opportunities for increased employer engagement and work-related learning, seeking to open up opportunities within your own professional networks and helping other governors do the same.
Promote the Quality in Careers standard and work with school leaders towards achieving this.
Work with the SLT/designated staff leads to explore the success/impact of the school’s careers provision and employability outcome.
Monitoring and review
Monitoring careers provision through visits, meetings, surveys, and data and reporting findings back to the Full Governing Body in order to help it fulfil its role of supporting and challenging the school as a whole.
Ensuring that the Governing Body is advised of and meeting the requirements of the statutory guidance.
Monitoring and evaluating any relevant policies (e.g. careers, work-related learning, employability, work experience etc.)
Reporting back to the Governing Body on how the school’s careers education and guidance is contributing to the school’s strategic priorities.
This article, as with all of this term’s campaign resources, was made possible through the support of Allen & Overy.