Foundation Governor; Boys' School - Volunteer

Foundation Governor (Boys' School) - Volunteer

Central Foundation Schools of London

We are looking for a new Governor for our voluntary‑aided boys’ school who has an interest in the creative arts and cares deeply about transforming the lives of young people through education in some of the most disadvantaged and ethnically diverse communities in the UK.

As a Foundation Governor you will play a critical role in fulfilling the Central Foundation vision that through an exceptional Central Foundation education, every student learns, develops, and grows so they can reach their full potential
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The Boys' School is a popular, over‑subscribed, voluntary‑aided, comprehensive school for boys aged 11‑16, with a successful co‑educational Sixth Form. A Central Foundation education involves providing students with a wide range of educational experiences not available to many state schools or students from the communities and backgrounds we serve.

As well as an outstanding academic offer, the support of the Central Foundation and its funding partners enables an extensive sporting, performing arts, careers and activities programme to be offered. As a Foundation Governor, you will ensure that through this provision students develop the knowledge, skills and attributes they need to lead successful lives and develop their own unique talents and confidence to forge their individual paths in life.

Underpinning a Central Foundation education is rigor and a drive for excellence. We are proud of our students’ examination results. In recent years these results have consistently shown Central Foundation Boys' School to be one of the leading educators of boys in the country.

Our aim is that every single student can achieve outstanding outcomes in their education, both in terms of qualifications and the development of the skills, attributes, knowledge and understanding necessary to thrive in a rapidly changing world. Your role as a Foundation Governor will oversee and ensure that the character of the school is preserved and developed.

Applicants should have a keen interest in the school and be prepared to play an active part in the governing body’s work to help improve outcomes for students.

We are particularly interested in individuals with significant experience in the creative arts. This is a great opportunity for anyone passionate about the creative arts to join the governing body of a school that views the creative arts as an essential part of a rounded education.

We encourage applications from all members of society, regardless of background, gender, ethnicity, disability, or age.

• Be a member of the governing body
• Join one additional sub‑committee (Teaching & Learning; Pay & Personnel; Finance; or Pastoral, Premises, Health & Safety)
• Act as link governor for the Creative Arts faculty (link governors act as liaison between the governing body and a particular faculty)
• Participate in a range of other ad hoc circumstances where governor involvement is necessary (e.g. periodic meetings with students, staff and parents that usually take place during the day)

Governors typically spend ~20 hours per term on core governing duties. Successful candidates should expect to attend up to four governing body/committee meetings per term, usually on a Thursday (late afternoon/early evening). They will also need to allocate time to read papers and prepare for meetings. The link governor role involves spending one morning or afternoon in school during the year, meeting with the faculty lead and visiting classrooms.

Additionally, we are particularly looking for the successful candidate to be able to spend an extra 8–10 hours per term on ad hoc matters requiring more ‘hands‑on’ governor involvement, including meetings with students, staff and parents which usually take place during the school day.

With the recent launch of the Performing Arts Centre at the school, we are particularly interested in individuals with significant experience in the creative arts at this time.

Governors come from a wide range of backgrounds and professions and include some appointed by the staff of the school, parents and the Islington Local Authority. A majority of the governors are appointed by the Central Foundation Schools of London. As an educational charity, we support two schools in inner London – the Boys' School and the Central Foundation Girls' School in Tower Hamlets.

This appointment will be a joint appointment by the Foundation and the boys' school governing body.

Training on the role of governor will be provided for the successful candidates.