Vacancies for Bishops’ governors arise regularly as existing governors complete their terms of office. As an Academy school, our governors are charity trustees, and sit on our Trust Board, which we call our Governing Body. We are currently seeking new governors to join the board.

Being a governor can be hugely rewarding. You can make a real difference to the school and the lives of our students. You will gain valuable skills and board level experience as well as having the opportunity to shape the priorities and direction of Bishops’ into the future. Watch this video to find out more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRqJ_bFipHk

Anyone over the age of 18 can be governor, so long as you do not have certain financial disqualifications or criminal convictions. You do not need to be a parent of a student for most categories of governor. Governors do not need to be experts in education, and a wide range of professional skills and ‘soft skills’, such as working as part of a team, are valuable for the governing body.

Our current vacancies are for governors who will be appointed by the Chester Diocesan Board of Education and the Chester Blue Coat Church of England Educational Foundation. As such, the individuals should be worshipping Christians, of any denomination. We are always working to increase the diversity of our board, and would especially welcome applications from under-represented groups on the board.

All governors join one of our two main committees. The Students Committee oversees achievement, curriculum, SEND and pastoral provision. The Resources Committee oversees finance, staffing and premises matters. Applicants do not necessarily need to have specific knowledge or experience in these areas. We are looking for people who are able to question and think creatively, and any previous experience of governance (not necessarily in education) would be valuable but is not essential.

Being a governor requires commitment and enthusiasm. Governors are expected to attend approximately eleven meetings each year, usually held from 4.30pm to 6.30pm on Mondays. You will need to read paperwork ahead of the meetings and contribute constructively to the discussions and decisions taken. Many governors also take part in occasional ad hoc panels such as Discipline and Complaints, or interview panels for staff. Governors are also expected, and supported, to complete ongoing training after their induction period, including safeguarding training and relevant checks.

If you have any questions and would like an informal discussion about becoming a governor, please contact the Clerk to the Governors via email to clerk@bishopschester.co.uk

To apply for one of the vacancies, please email the Clerk to the Governors on clerk@bishopschester.co.uk with the following information:

–          Your name and date of birth;

–          A brief outline of your relevant experience, skills and attributes, as listed below. Please also include anything else you would like to add about why you would like to be a Bishops’ governor. As a guide, this should be between 150-300 words.

o   Worshipping Christian (essential)

o   Understanding of the role of a governor (essential)

o   Commitment to attend meetings and complete training (essential)

o   Experience of governance (desirable)

o   Experience (desirable) or a willingness to learn about (essential) the areas covered by either the Students or Resources Committee.

Suitable candidates will be offered an informal interview.