Become a Governor

Uplands Academy is part of MARK Education Trust.

MARK’s board of trustees is the accountable body for the trust and must ensure that the trust meets its charitable purpose which is to advance education for public good. It does this by undertaking the three core strategic functions.

1. Ensuring there is clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction.
2. Holding executive leaders to account for the educational performance of the organisation, its students, and the performance management of staff.
3. Overseeing the financial performance of the organisation and making sure its money is well spent.

Currently MARK Education Trust board has 11 trustees who have been appointed based on the skills and experience they bring. To find out more about the role of the trustee, please visit the MARK Education Trust website here: How to Join MARK Education Trust)

Governance at Uplands Academy

The trust board has established a Local Governing Committee (LGC) for Uplands Academy that includes members of the local community, as well as elected parent and staff governors. The LGC is delegated by the trust to monitor key aspects of the school’s performance in more detail. This includes:

1. Considering strategies to improve the quality of education and outcomes for all students, but especially disadvantaged students and those with Special Educational Needs.
2. Ensuring that students and staff are safe and happy, with a specific focus on improving behaviour and attendance.
3. Engaging with stakeholders to ensure that parents, staff, students and the wider school community are informed and work collectively for the good of the school.

The trust is always interested to hear from prospective candidates who would like to contribute to the important work of the LGC.

What qualifications do I need to have?

There are no formal qualifications needed, however, the one essential requirement is an interest in, and commitment to, the education of the students. Local governors need not be experts in the field of education but will need the necessary skills, character and time to contribute.

Skills that would be advantageous to have are the ability to build relationships with a range of people, to be able to work as part of a team, to be able to question, be discreet, open minded & fair and to make connections between different types of information.

How much time will I have to commit?

A local governor serves for a term of four years. The Local Governing Committee meets four times a year and meetings take place at 4-6pm. Local governors  are expected to carry out regular monitoring visits to the school to meet with staff and students to discuss developments in certain key areas.

In addition, local governors may be asked to convene a panels, relating to a complaint or an exclusion.  There is also an expectation that local governors will commit to completing relevant training and CPD, particularly in the area of safeguarding and child protection.

Finally….

Governors must be prepared to adopt the Nolan principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership. The role of a local governor is voluntary and therefore is not paid.

Interested?

If you would like to find out more about the governance opportunities that exist at Uplands Academy, please do contact the Trust Governance Professional on email: clerk@uplands-academy.org