Student Governor
Could you represent your fellow students and make sure their opinions are at the heart of the college’s decision-making process?
Our student governors are elected by their fellow students and play an important role in representing the student body as part of our Board of Governors. They are naturally passionate about education and the difference it can make to people’s lives and are able to empathise with all of our learners.
Student governors are elected by their peers to provide a student viewpoint to discussions and contribute to important decisions, such as what the College is planning to do over the next few years.
It’s an excellent opportunity to learn more about how the college is run and have an impact on decisions that are made, and you’ll also get to work with our leaders and develop various skills including listening and speaking at meetings, building confidence and team-working.
Being a student governor is also a great thing to add to your CV to help you stand out to employers.
There are two student governor opportunities, depending on your age; one to become the 16-18 student governor and one to become the 19+ student governor.
Find out what one of our former Student Governors, Roux, has to say:
Meet your current student governors:
Will Berridge
Student Governor (16-18)
Morgan Penaluna
Student Governor (19+)
A student governor is a student elected by their peers to act as a representative member of the Student Body. They are appointed to the Board to provide vital input to the decisions, discussions and debate in relation to a student point of view.
Student Governors are expected too:
- Take part in induction and support sessions to ensure they are prepared for meetings and understand the role.
- Read meeting papers, treating them as confidential.
- Attend meetings and engage in discussions.
- Ensure the role doesn’t impact on studies / learning (highlight this with the Director of Governance & Compliance if you feel that this becomes the case).
The Board decide on the overall strategic direction of the college, as well as its finances and standards, and it oversees effective college management by the Principal and senior staff.
The Board provides a strategic overview, but does not manage the college.
Being a Student Governor is a great opportunity for students to become involved in the governance of the college, take part in overseeing its strategic direction and benefit from being part of a Board which has great experience and knowledge, who continue to look at new ways of working for the benefit of the college and the students. There is huge variety in the Board’s works and it has a number of committees which help it to undertake its role.
As student governor you will:
- Feel you are contributing to the life of the college.
- Meet and work with other governors and college managers.
- Learn about how important decisions are taken.
- Develop various skills, including listening and speaking at meetings, building confidence, working with others.
Being a Student Governor is also a great thing to add to your CV to help you stand out to employers.
The Board is made up of 18 governors; 12 are independent governors, 2 are staff governors, 1 is the Principal and 2 are student governors (16-18 and 19+).
Papers for meetings are circulated in advance to allow time to read and digest the information. During meetings there will be presentations from various members of staff to provide the Board with further information, and to allow discussions and decision making to take place.
There are 4 Board Meetings across the academic year, with the addition of 2 Board Strategy Days (October 2023 and May 2024). Meetings are generally held on a Wednesday at 4pm for 2 hours.
This year’s meeting dates are as follows:
- Wednesday 25th October, 4pm - 6pm (followed by a Governors’ Dinner)
- Thursday 26th October, 9am - 4pm (Strategy Day)
- Wednesday 13th December, 4pm - 6pm (followed by a Governors’ Dinner)
- Wednesday 20th March, 4pm - 6pm
- Wednesday 1st May, 9am - 6pm
- Wednesday 6th May, 9am - 6pm (Strategy Day)
- Wednesday 3rd July, 4pm - 6pm
The Board also have a number of committee meetings and Student Governors will be invited to sit on the Curriculum & Quality Standards Committee, the meeting dates are:
- Thursday 23rd November, 4pm - 6pm
- Thursday 15th February, 4pm - 6pm
- Thursday 6th June, 4pm - 6pm
To be able to fully engage as the Student Governor, you would need to be available to attend the above meeting dates and times.
The Director of Governance & Compliance works in the college to support governors and will advise you on any aspects of being a student governor.
When appointed, there is an induction and training programme to help you. There are also external training and networking events available, including the opportunity to meet with other student governors across the UK.
Governors are not paid but assistance can be paid with any extra costs such as travel to meetings.
Click here to watch a short video by an organisation called Unloc which talks about becoming a Student Governor, including comments made by other Student Governors across the UK.
You can also get in touch with our Director of Governance & Compliance Nicola Taylor with any questions you have!
