The shift to remote working over the past year has been a welcome change for many, and it looks like the hybrid model of working may be here to stay – as research by McKinsey has found. This is great news for many, especially those who’ve been calling for more flexibility. For working parents, people with disabilities, or simply those enjoying saving commuting costs, the move to home-based working brings a myriad of benefits, as well as making many sectors more diverse. But spending more time working at home also means that the skills we develop in our roles are changing too.
So why is school governance something your organisation should consider encouraging? Joining a school board has long been encouraged for its professional development, but as we enter a new phase of working, volunteering as a school governor could provide the social and skills development employees also need.
Develop skills for the new world of work
The skills people develop while working from home aren’t the same skills they develop in the office.
The key skills of creativity, critical thinking, and complex communication are all vital in order to succeed in the new work patterns. Making sure employees can develop these skills when colleagues are based in numerous locations around the country can be a challenge, and some remote workers may miss out on the face-to-face skills their colleagues develop in the office. School governance is a way to address this as remote workers experience working in a team locally.
Volunteering as a school governor is an excellent way to develop skills that ordinarily may be reserved for those higher up the career ladder. Research we conducted in 2019 showed that volunteers developed skills in areas including providing challenge and asking probing questions, strategic planning, and developing professional relationships. Volunteers also noted improved performance in leading, persuading or influencing others, preparation, flexibility and agility, analysing performance data and KPIs, and financial skills.
The breadth of skills development on offer by joining a school board is unmatched in many volunteering opportunities, and the aspect of continuous learning and development gives volunteers the chance to see projects through from start to end.
Help employees get out of their comfort zone
Working from home can be very comfortable, but is there such a thing as being too comfortable? We know that feeling challenged is key to development, and sometimes being at home can mean fewer meetings, presentations, or other opportunities to get out of our comfort zones.
We’ve all socialised less over the past year and have been forced to spend more time either on our own or with our households. While necessary, it’s also meant that getting out and meeting new people, for many people, is now more daunting.
Joining a school board is a way to meet new people but in a structured setting. It gives people the opportunity to meet others they may not otherwise – those of different ages, in different professions – even those from different parts of the country.
Keep employees connected – even when they’re physically distanced
Gone are the days of remote workers feeling disconnected from their colleagues in the office – after a year of remote working, everyone has shared the same experience. Employers are now in a position where they must support employee experience remotely, encouraging volunteering and interaction in another way.
Volunteering locally removes the need for employees to travel into the city or away from their homes. For those who continue working remotely, it’s an ideal time to connect with the local community and feel part of what’s happening on their doorstep.
Combine professional and societal development
Governors for Schools has seen more people volunteer to join a school board over the last year, demonstrating that people want to connect with their community and give back in a tangible way. Workers appreciate employers who actively encourage giving back, and those who are ethically and socially minded can combine the two through governance. For organisations that offer volunteering days, these can be used to proactively support employees to grow and develop, all while supporting their local communities.
What do school governors do – and why is the role so important?
Every school in England and Wales has a governing board, made up of a group of volunteers from the community. The board sets the strategic direction of the school, oversees the school’s financial spend, and holds the leadership team to account. School governance gives many volunteers their first opportunity to join a board, where they gain confidence and experience.
There are over 20,000 governor vacancies across England and Wales, leaving schools without the skills they need. Governors for Schools is a national charity that connects skilled professionals with schools in need of volunteers. While board meetings have taken place remotely over the past year, many schools will adopt a blended approach to meetings, giving volunteers the chance to meet in person while also ensuring boards can benefit from the diversity remote meetings can promote.
How do organisations benefit from school governance?
Governors for Schools will support employees before their first meeting so that first-time governors feel prepared and able to contribute effectively. For the majority of the charity’s volunteers, becoming a governor is their first experience of joining a board. Governors for Schools works with people to make sure volunteering is both manageable and rewarding.
The charity also works with corporate partners to keep organisations in the loop about the impact employees have on schools across England and Wales, and how many schools and pupils benefit from the time volunteered.
