Local Governor: Southfield Park Primary - Volunteer

Could you help shape our children's future? What difference will you make? Governors are essential for the effectiveness and success of the school. The role is rewarding and fulfilling. Southfield Park is part of a multi-academy trust of primary schools with diverse catchments and a wonderful team spirit. The whole school teams are committed to ensuring a safe and happy environment where children love learning and thrive.

What we can offer you:

• Opportunity to improve education for children locally and see the impact of your decisions;
• Chance to develop your own personal skills that enhance performance and employability, including strategic decision making, analytical interrogation, adaptive communication skills, and empathetic sense of civic responsibility;
• Opportunity to work with our team of Directors, Executive Principal, Governors and Staff in developing the school;
• Insight into the wider perspective of the school through long-term planning;
• Access to a programme of free training in respect of education/governance matters;
• Sense of achievement in helping make a difference to children reaching their potential;
• Pleasure of seeing children thrive and become successful learners;
• Support and guidance from fellow governors and the wider trust leadership team, including Trust Directors.

What we are looking for:

You do not need any specific skills or experience to be a school governor. You must be over 18, but you do not have to be a parent or have experience working in education. Often, it’s the outside perspective you can bring that a school needs. Our governors come from a range of different backgrounds, skills and experience but all share a common interest in wanting the best possible education for the children in our school. Professional experience in areas such as HR, finance, law, or project management are useful. Soft skills such as leadership, communication and problem solving are highly valued. Please note, we cannot consider an application from a parent of a child currently on roll at this school.

What you will be doing:

We are looking for individuals who care about making a positive impact in our school communities, embracing those wishing to join us who believe they have a part to play in securing our future generation's life chances. We are forming a brand new local governing body for our primary school in Epsom, which converted to academy status and joined our Multi Academy Trust on 1st November 2025. This is an exciting opportunity for individuals with the energy, passion and commitment to see through a 4-year governor term to come together to build and develop a LGB that can support the school in its next stage of growth. Applicants will be keen to progress into the LGB's leadership positions by the end of the 2025-26 academic year. Southfield Park Primary School strives to develop children into lifelong learners, who value learning and are keen to take on new challenges. The strengths and needs of all children are considered to provide opportunities to develop interests, break through barriers, increase resilience and ensure that every child is inspired to have high aspirations. The Local Governing Body (LGB) supports the school leadership at a strategic level and is not involved in the day-to-day running of the school. The focus is on three core functions:

• Strategic leadership ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction aligns with the Trust values in serving the school’s local community;
• Accountability and assurance supporting the Executive Principal (CEO) and Directors in seeking insight about the impact of action taken by school leaders to strengthen outcomes for the pupils;
• Compliance (if representing the local governing body) supporting the Trust Central Team and Directors in overseeing the financial performance of the Trust schools.

Commitment and responsibilities:

We are looking particularly for someone who has:

• Commitment to what is essentially a volunteer role – you will be required to attend three in-person LGB meetings each year, typically lasting 1.5–2 hours at the school you support;
• Carry out a minimum of three monitoring visits during school hours per year;
• Undertake governor training (online), typically 8–10 hours per year;
• Fulfil a four-year governor term.

Desired attributes:

• Interest in children’s education and the performance of our schools;
• Willingness to keep up with national developments that might impact our school communities;
• Community spirit;
• An enquiring mind and confidence to support and challenge, asking questions and debating issues that affect the school;
• A desire to work collaboratively and build relationships with a range of people;
• The ability and confidence to use initiative whilst respecting advice from professionals;
• The ability to consider matters objectively and make informed judgements.