As part of our National Volunteers Week look at the many roles volunteers play supporting our community we shine a light on the vital role of volunteers that support our schools from the school PTA members and school governors. Each volunteer brings their expertise, time and passion to drive school improvement and transform the life chances of children and young people.
The role of the school governor can be a challenging one, but it is also highly rewarding. Governors are responsible for setting the vision and strategic direction of the school, whilst also overseeing financial performance and holding leaders to account. In this way, governors work to promote the highest standards of education, ensuring that pupils can learn effectively and achieve their full potential.
Like other volunteers, school governors are essential to the communities they serve. Yet, most of their work goes on behind-the-scenes, which means their role is often overlooked or misunderstood.
Most governors are not looking for recognition – they simply want to give back to their communities. However, as long as the role remains hidden from view, governing bodies may struggle to find potential new recruits.
Just as vital to the school community is the PTA made up of parents and teachers the role an important part of the school community from organising events to raise funds for the school to acting as a link between the school community.
Schools also have some volunteer as a tutors. For subjects including maths, science, languages, or humanities who assist students who may need extra help in these areas.
Many schools have reading mentor programs where volunteers help students improve their literacy skills. As a reading mentor, you can listen to students read, provide guidance on pronunciation and comprehension, and instil a love for reading through engaging discussions.
Some schools run mentoring programs where volunteers serve as mentors for pupils who may benefit from additional support and guidance. Mentors act as positive role models, offering advice, encouragement, and helping pupils navigate challenges they may face academically or personally.
Some Schools have volunteer sports coach or assistants with sports activities in schools. Who organise practices, lead training sessions, and support pupils during games and competitions.
Schools often also look for volunteers to lead or assist with extra-curricular activities such as clubs, drama, music, or art as well as helping with school trips.
All the volunteers that give their time, energy and commitment to schools and college governing boards and PTA’s quietly play their critical part and help to shape the lives of the next generation, bringing skills, expertise and perspectives to ensure schools deliver the best experience for children and young people in local communities.
Like many other volunteer roles schools often struggle to get volunteers to taken on these vital roles so if you would like to help support a local school you can find out more about becoming a school governor at https://www.nga.org.uk/about/become-a-governor-trustee
To find out more about one of the local school PTA’s ask the school directly about how you can support the PTA and when meetings are held.
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