The NHS’s Long Term Plan, including the 2020 People Plan highlights the importance of increasing the number of people with clinical backgrounds and from diverse backgrounds involved in strategic leadership. Traditionally, doctors and nurses have a seat at the provider board table. However, there are a host of other roles – allied health professionals (AHPs), pharmacists, healthcare scientists, midwives, psychologists ‒ who also have great leadership contributions to make but may be less able to find their way to strategic roles that maximise their contribution. Becoming a school governor is a great first step on the journey to senior positions for NHS professionals.
We want NHS staff, who are passionate about what they do, to join school governing boards and make a real impact on the lives of young people.
Want to make a difference in your community, and develop your own professional skills? By volunteering as a school governor, you can do both. Sign-up here
What do NHS employees bring to the table?
NHS employees are perfectly suited to the role of school governors and possess a diverse range of qualities, expertise, skills and experiences that could really benefit a school and its governing board:
– Being collaborative and working as a team
– Awareness of the value of public service in the community
– Understanding the importance of safeguarding
– Adapting to change and attention to detail
– Experience of working in a highly regulated sector
– Ability to prioritize and organise time efficiently
Why should NHS staff get involved?
As a governor you can make a positive impact on a school and the lives of its pupils, by committing some of your time and energy. Working as part of a governing board, you will help shape the strategic direction of a school. You will oversee the school’s performance, its budget and act as guardians of its vision and values. You will also provide challenge and support to the head teacher and help them as they raise standards throughout the school.
Time Commitment
Typically, governing boards meet every half term and expect board members to undertake monitoring visits to see the school in action and speak to teachers and pupils, alongside preparing for meetings and training and development. The time commitment is in the region of 8 hours a month depending on the school and additional responsibilities you take on. You will need to attend meetings, typically outside of office hours, and do the necessary preparatory reading.
Helping schools to identify and share the variety of NHS careers
Those working in schools are key in helping to identify the next generation of NHS employees. That’s why we need people like you to work with schools to help them show young people how rewarding, enjoyable and relevant a career in the NHS can be.
From an Apprentice role to senior Manager, what is important is that you have the drive, enthusiasm and commitment to make a real impact on the lives of students
We have a growing list of schools throughout England actively seeking governors with your skills and experience. If building a long-lasting, beneficial relationship with a local school appeals to you then:
The Inspiring Governance portal will match you with a school local to where you live or work and, once appointed as a governor, you will also be able to access 12 months’ free CPD accredited training from the National Governance Association.
If you have any questions, please contact the Inspiring Governance team on enquiries@inspiringgovernance.org or call 020 7566 4880.