Volunteer : Community Governor

Volunteer Opportunity:
Community Governor

This job is brought to you by Jobs/Redefined, the UK's leading over‑50s age inclusive jobs board.

Shepwell School is an amazing place. We have 95 places on the main site and 30 places at a satellite site for young people with mental health difficulties, usually diagnosed with autism and/or ADHD. We operate like a small nurturing mainstream with an expansive curriculum to enable young people to reengage with education and achieve GCSE or appropriate qualifications. We are also passionate about equipping our young people with the skills and qualities to become young adults prepared for the real world.

You could help us make a real difference to young people's lives.

We are seeking committed and community‑minded volunteers to join our Governing Board as Community Governors at our Pupil Referral Unit (PRU). This is a rewarding opportunity to support some of the most vulnerable young people in our community and help shape their education and future outcomes.

Community Governors play a vital strategic role in the life of the PRU. You will:

• Help set the vision, values and strategic direction of the PRU
• Support and challenge senior leaders to improve outcomes for pupils
• Ensure pupils receive a high‑quality, inclusive education
• Oversee safeguarding, wellbeing and equal opportunities
• Act as a link between the PRU and the local community

Governors are not involved in day‑to‑day management, but work at a strategic level.

You do not need to have experience in education. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds. We are particularly interested in people who bring skills or experience in areas such as:

• Youth or community work
• Mental health, social care or safeguarding
• Business, finance, HR or legal work
• Lived experience of alternative provision or supporting vulnerable young people

However, most importantly, we are looking for people who:

• Care about young people and education
• Can work as part of a team
• Are willing to ask questions and offer constructive challenge
• Can commit time to meetings and preparation

• Typically 3 governing board meetings per year
• Occasional training and school visits
• Term of office is usually 4 years

• A chance to make a real difference in your local community
• Training and support provided
• Development of leadership, strategic thinking and governance skills
• Insight into education, inclusion and safeguarding

This role requires an enhanced DBS check, which will be provided.

How to apply:

Email the Headteacher with a one‑page maximum description about you and why you feel you would be a good person for this role. We would be happy to have a friendly discussion – please call us for a chat.

Lsout by 20th February 2026

Please visit

We look forward to hearing from you!

Visits to the school or further discussions are warmly welcomed and encouraged.

The staff and management committee of Shepwell School are committed to protecting and safeguarding all their pupils to ensure, as far as possible, that they are free from harm. As part of the safeguarding process, the successful candidate must have full enhanced DBS clearance and will not be able to take up the appointment until all pre‑employment checks have been completed.

A copy of the school's safeguarding policy/guidelines is available on the school website. There will be questions on this at interview.

Shepwell School welcomes applications from all sections of the community irrespective of race, colour, gender, sexual orientation, age or disability.