Governor Vacancies
Becoming a School Governor at Foreland Fields School
We warmly welcome interest from members of the public who would like to contribute to our school community by becoming a School Governor.
Foreland Fields School has several categories of Governors, each with a specific appointment process. We understand that this can seem a little complex at first — so please don’t hesitate to contact us for guidance.
While Parent and Staff Governors are elected by parents/carers and staff respectively, expressions of interest are always welcome, even when no elections are currently taking place.
The Role of a Governor
Once appointed or elected, all Governors are expected to act in the best interests of all pupils, not as representatives of any group or constituency. The role of a Governor is to govern the school, which involves:
- Providing strategic leadership and direction
- Holding the Headteacher to account for educational performance
- Ensuring that the school’s financial resources are used effectively
This is a rewarding yet demanding role that requires, and helps develop, a wide range of skills and experience.
Skills and Engagement
Effective governance thrives on strong partnerships with parents, staff, and the wider community. At Foreland Fields School, our Governing Body regularly reviews the skills and experience of its members to ensure we continue to offer a broad and balanced range of expertise. When vacancies arise — we outline the skills we are seeking within the election information.
We also value collaboration with local businesses and organisations, and are proud of our strong and ongoing relationship with East Kent MENCAP. All Governors are supported and encouraged to take part in continuing professional development (CPD) to build their knowledge and confidence in the role. Each new appointment provides an exciting opportunity to strengthen our Governing Body and further enhance the support we offer to our school community.
How to become a Co-Opted (Community) Governor
The following outlines the typical steps for joining us as a Co-Opted (Community) Governor. (Please note that the process may differ slightly for Parent/Staff Governor elections, although many of the steps below still apply.)
If you are interested in becoming a School Governor, please contact the Chair of Governors, Steve Pamphilon, at stevepamphilon@foreland.kent.sch.uk. Alternatively, you may contact our Governance Professional, Kay Merry, at kaymerry@foreland.kent.sch.uk, who will be pleased to forward your details to the Chair of Governors. The Chair will be happy to explain the role and responsibilities of a Governor, outline the level of commitment involved, and discuss the skills and experience that are currently being sought within the Governing Body.
We warmly encourage prospective Governors to visit Foreland Fields School for a tour, where you can experience our welcoming environment and see our values in action. Following your visit, we invite you to an informal chat to share information, discuss the skills and experience you could bring, and ensure the role feels like a good fit for both you and the school. If you decide to move forward, we’ll guide you through a few simple formalities — including providing two references, completing a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check as part of our safeguarding procedures, and signing the Governor Code of Conduct. Once everything is complete, your appointment will be reviewed and approved by the Full Governing Body.
We look forward to hearing from you
Serving as a Governor at Foreland Fields School is an enriching experience and a valuable way to support the education and wellbeing of our pupils.
If you are interested in finding out more, please reach out - we’d be delighted to hear from you.