SJF Governor Elections

15th Oct 2019

Governor Election

Our SJF Governing Body plays a key strategic leadership and management role in the running of our school community. There are vacancies currently for both Foundation and Parent Governors. The Governing Body therefore invites applications from any eligible parents and carers who would like to play a key part in our continuing journey.

Foundation Governors

Foundation Governors must be practicing Catholics. They are nominated by Parish Priests and appointed by the Bishop. As the Bishop’s appointees, Foundation Governors’ primary responsibility is to safeguard the Catholic foundation and nature of the school as strategies are set and decisions made. There are vacancies for Foundations Governors currently. If you would like to find out more about being a Foundation Governor please contact Mrs Ramsden (0114 2485009 or enquiries@st-johnfisher.org) or speak directly with Fr Paul.

Parent Governors

As you may be aware, the Governing Body of all Sheffield Schools and academies have at least one place reserved for a Parent/Carer Governor.

Unlike a Foundation Governor, a Parent Governor has to have a child attending school. Parent Governors do not have to be a Catholic and can be from any faith or religious background as long as they are committed to supporting and assuring our Catholic ethos. Parent Governors are also elected for a four-year term of office, rather than appointed by the Bishop.

Being a Governor is special. It is a chance for you to influence school life and the education we provide for our children. Governors offer advice and make decisions about many aspects of school life including the curriculum, staffing and finances, so we are especially keen to hear anyone who has a background and skillset linked to education, business, finance, law, health and safety, fundraising and human resources. That said, what the Governing Body needs most are people passionate about our school and values.

The Governor role is vital to the education of our children and so we would urge you to consider standing. If you feel daunted there will be training and the support of an experienced Governor to help you understand your role and responsibilities.

Parent Governors also provide a link between the school and parents and carers. The Parent Governor will be expected to attend at least three full meetings of the School Governing Body each year long as well as meetings for one of the three SJF Governor sub-committees.

Some Governors may also be involved in further meetings around admissions, staff recruitment and retention matters and complaints if and when they arise. Governors are therefore expected to take an active interest in the school community by helping to promote the parental view at meetings of the School Governing Body.

Eligibility & Process

anyone with parental responsibility for a child attending our school is eligible to stand for election
faith or background is no bar to someone being a Parent Governor
there will be an election if more than one nomination from an eligible person is received
in the event of an election, all current parents/carers will be eligible to vote by secret ballot
detailed arrangements and a list of candidates will be sent out once all nominations have been received
the term of office for this elected position is four years
parents/carers wishing to stand for election can nominate themselves as a candidate
no ‘proposer’ or ‘seconder’ is required but you must tell us that you wish to stand, in writing, no later than Wednesday 6 November 2019
candidates are also asked to provide a short personal statement with their nomination which will then be circulated to parents/carers