Local School Governor – Coastal Learning Partnership (Primary Schools in Bournemouth, Poole and the Purbecks)

School Local Governor Vacancies

Coastal Learning Partnership currently has a number of local governor vacancies across their 16 infant / primary schools based in Bournemouth, Poole and the Purbecks.

Role of a Local Governor

The role of a Local Governor is voluntary, and is a role for people who have the energy and skills to make a real contribution to shaping the future of schools.  Local Governors are a highly valued group within the wider team of Coastal Learning Partnership and their commitment and energies make a real difference to their schools. 

You do not need to have any specialist knowledge of education because Local Governors can bring all sorts of other things to their schools: a different perspective or partnership, new ideas, particular specialist skills such as estates, legal, finance and so on.  What they must all bring is a desire to use their skills and experience to add value and contribute to a school’s ongoing work and improvement. 

Some of the vacancies are for Foundation Governors and in addition to the overall objectives of the local governing body, they will have further focus to support the continued development of the school’s Christian ethos.

The time investment of a Local Governor needn’t be enormous – some can offer more time than others.  All Local Governors will usually need to:

• Attend and contribute to the main schedule of meetings (varies between schools but typically six a year; most governing bodies find meeting times which work for their members; some face to face and some on-line)
• Make occasional visits to the school as may be enabled by the Governor’s schedule
• Some Governors then take a particular interest in an aspect of the school best suited to them (this can be anything from curriculum to finance to health & safety and much more)
• Undertake the necessary training required

The partnership has found that Local Governors take many rewards from the role.  Mostly, they know they are making a difference and ‘giving something back’ to the community.  Being a Local Governor can also offer you a wider perspective of schools and education as well as develop your own skills and knowledge in things like strategic management.

You can find out more about the role of a Local Governor in CLP by reading the partnership’s scheme of delegation. You can also read official government information here.  

About the Partnership

Coastal Learning Partnership is a multi-academy trust of sixteen schools catering for children aged 3-11 and come in a wide variety: primary, infant, junior schools and also church and community schools. CLP’s motto is Broadening Horizons Together which they believe captures their aspiration to offer the best possible opportunities to all children, staff and volunteers.  They are not a multi academy trust seeking to make their schools all the same as each other; rather, the partnership empowers each school to nurture its own unique identity and individual characteristics to serve its local communities.  

The schools serve one another through their professional generosity, sharing resources and expertise and supporting each other’s improvement journeys.  The partnership’s schools also recognise the value and efficiency that can be achieved with the right balance of alignment and standardisation across schools.  

Applications

If you are interested in applying to become a Local Governor, please complete the short application form below, letting the partnership know what skills and experience you have, and about what you would hope to bring to a Local Governing Body.

Please send your completed application to the Clerk to the Trustees and Governance Co-ordinator at sue.bennett@coastalpartnership.co.uk by Monday 23 October 2023.

If you would like more information about the role of a local governor, or you would like an informal conversation, please email your telephone number to sue.bennett@coastalpartnership.co.uk 

CLP would particularly like to hear from people from Black, Asian and other minority ethnicities, people with disabilities and young people as these groups are currently underrepresented on their governing boards.  CLP recognises that a more diverse range of Governors can ensure the Partnership is fair and open and can help strengthen decision making across the Partnership. 

You can also visit the Partnership Website where you can find information on all of CLP schools.

Coastal Learning Partnership is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and requires all staff and volunteers to share and demonstrate this commitment. All Local Governors are appointed subject to an Enhanced DBS check; applicants will be asked to provide a referee.