The Role of Staff & Student Governors at Preston College
Introduction
The College Board can appoint up to three student governors (FE, HE and 16-18) and two staff governors (Business Support, Academic).
The role of governor is a voluntary role. Travel expenses associated with the role and costs related to dependent care whilst governors attend meetings can be paid.
Student governors are appointed for one year and staff governors are appointed for two years.
Being a staff governor is a really interesting and worthwhile voluntary role. Staff governors can gain valuable experience and skills from working with people from a variety of backgrounds and sectors. Being a charity trustee also provides governance experience which can be useful for career progression and personal development.
The role of staff and students governors
Staff and students are key College stakeholders.
Staff and students join the Board and either the Quality and Standards Committee or Resources Committee. They also participate in other stakeholder engagement activities with staff and students.
Staff and student governors play a key part in ensuring the voice of staff and students is heard at the College’s Board and committee meetings. However, it is not a representative role and there is no requirement to have a role in communicating governance business to the workforce/student body or from the workforce/student body to the Board.
Instead, Staff and students governors provide staff and student perspective to Board discussions and decision making.
Appointment of staff and student governors
Staff and student governors are elected by their relevant constituencies e.g. Business Support staff elect Business Support governors and 16-18 students elected the 16-18 student governor.
All appointments are approved by the Board.
Skills required
There are no formal qualification requirements required.It is important that staff and student governors are confident, enthusiastic, proactive and willing to ask questions. The following skills are helpful:
Analytical skills able to analyse written, verbal and numerical information provided and use this information to ask questions and make decisions.
Strategic thinking able to think strategically about the issues discussed.
Communication skills able to communicate and work well with other governors and senior management; able to ask questions and challenge constructively.
Digital skills able to use an online portal to review papers and participate in virtual meetings.
Training provided
Induction and ongoing training is provided for all new governors by the Director of Governance. Staff and students governors have the opportunity to attend national training and networks. Most of these take place online.
Time commitment
Staff and governors will be asked to prepare for and attend c. five Board meetings, three – five committee meetings (depending on the committee) and a strategic planning meeting each year. Occasionally, additional Board meetings and Committee meetings are held virtually. Staff and student governors are also invited to participate in stakeholder engagement activities such as meeting other staff and students. Staff and student governors will also need to attend Induction and ongoing training during their term.
Governors are invited to external conferences/webinars to meet with other staff governors from across the sector. Most of these activities now take place online.
Further information
For further details please contact Clare Rayner, Director of Governance crayner@preston.ac.uk