Governor in Cheltenham

Join us as a Governor at National Star and help to ensure that young people with a wide range of diverse abilities, complex health, communication and learning needs get the best education possible to help them to realise their potential as equal and active citizens and to achieve their life goals.

The role of Governor involves using your significant experience in a management role within a specialist school or further education provision for young people with complex physical, medical, and learning disabilities to help our team of governors oversee and monitor college activities. The governor team works tirelessly to ensure that students have every opportunity to achieve the best outcomes they can, with access to a personalised, broad and balanced curriculum which prepares them for life after college, whilst promoting learner voice and inclusive practice in a positive learning environment.

You will contribute your personal and professional expertise and strategic perspective to help the charity achieve its vision and mission, as well as using your expert knowledge to ensure the charity’s services comply with legal regulatory and statutory requirements, including Ofsted, Care Quality Commission and Estyn.

Excellent communication skills will be essential to work collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders including other governors, trustees and other senior employees, demonstrating empathy and awareness of the needs of others and using tact and diplomacy to contribute your own perspectives and creative ideas to help the charity explore innovative approaches to education, student success, and community engagement.

Your commitment as a Governor typically involves devoting around 12 hours a month to your role at National Star. Some months are busier than others, due to the cycle of meetings, but generally you will have three formal meetings (termly) plus two informal development sessions each year. To help you plan your time, all meetings are set by July for the next academic year. Each governor has a lead responsibility, which will involve having contact/meetings with key staff between meetings. We also encourage governors and trustees to attend annual leavers’ ceremonies in Ullenwood, Wales, Hereford and Worcester, as well as the colleague recognition awards and colleague long-service awards.

By joining our Governing body, you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you are playing a part in the future development of one of the leading disability charities in England and Wales, as well as having the opportunity to expand your own skills, knowledge and professional development with the support of the whole team. Your fresh perspective could help us to see things in a different light and your professional expertise could be utilised to support our staff team in delivering our vision and values. You will gain a broad understanding of the challenges faced by young people with complex disabilities and be able to build your professional network.

Governors at National Star are volunteers. Out of pocket expenses are reimbursed. New governors are subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring (DBS) check. For more information, a full job description or an informal discussion please contact our recruitment team at 01242 504300 or by email.