Governor

Volunteer role

Starting: ASAP

Closing Date: 18^th November 2025

Application form: https://form.jotform.com/230384617821355

Our Lady of Sion is an independent coeducational day school located in the heart of Worthing, with approximately 300 pupils, aged 3-18 years. The School was founded in 1862 and, whilst proud of our heritage, we are a very forward-looking, vibrant and dynamic institution. Our community is diverse and we welcome staff and pupils from all faiths and none, from a variety of cultures and traditions. Under our care, the next generation of Sionians discover possibilities in the world around them, develop a life-long passion for learning and respond willingly and with compassion to the needs of others.

A new governor may not have any particular experience relevant to school governance; however, they should be able to demonstrate a strong awareness of the school and be well informed about the education sector. A school governor will need to be reliable, trustworthy and above all, eager to improve outcomes for all pupils.

How to apply

Application form: https://form.jotform.com/230384617821355

If you would like to apply for this position, you will need to complete an application form (link above) which will be submitted directly to recruitment@sionschool.org.uk. CVs and non-standard application paperwork will not be accepted as part of the application process.

What we are looking for:

• A governor with experience and background in Finance.
• The Full Governing Body meets once every half a term, which generally take place near the end of each term. Meetings are roughly 2 hours and there are papers to read before hand
• To set the strategic direction of the school through the School Development Plan
• A Governor to oversee the financial effectiveness of the school.
• As well as attending a termly Full Board Meeting it is expected that individual Governors will actively participate in the work of at least one committee to contribute to the fair distribution of the work undertaken by the Governing Board. These committee responsibilities will have a termly commitment in terms of meeting time and work undertaken, which is likely to be both during school time and out of school hours.
• In addition to the broad role of the Governing Body and its appointed committees, Governors will work with the Senior Leadership Team to support in specific areas to enhance the delivery of the School Development Plan.
• The school aims to maintain the goodwill and confidence of its staff, pupils and wider stakeholder community. To assist in achieving this objective it is essential at all times for Governors to carry out their duties in a courteous and sympathetic manner.
• All Governors must be aware of the responsibilities placed upon them under the Health & Safety at Work Act (1974) to ensure that the agreed safety procedures are carried out to maintain a safe environment for pupils, employees and visitors
• Integrity: Board members must actively support and promote their values and must not be influenced by personal interests in exercising their roles and responsibilities.
• Accountability: Board members must take responsibility for and be able to explain their actions, and demonstrate that their contribution to governance is effective
• Every Governor is expected to establish and maintain positive interpersonal relationships with other members. Positive relationships are characterised by trust, open communication and respect
• The commitment to care for everyone in our school community
• To support the Sion ethos of our school and proactively model this to all stakeholders

What we can offer you:

• The opportunity to join the Governing body at our lovely school of around 300 students aged 3-18, supported by a hugely talented and hard-working staff team
• Polite, respectful, committed students who are positive and active learners
• An ethos of kindness and consideration that is actively lived-out

The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.  Applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).  The School may carry out online searches on shortlisted applicants and all applicants will be required to provide details of their online profile, including social media accounts, as part of their application. 

The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.  The School is therefore permitted to ask job applicants to declare all convictions and cautions on a self-declaration form in advance of attending an interview (including those which are “spent” unless they are “protected” under the DBS filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to work with children.

All job applicants are considered equally and consistently to ensure that no job applicant is treated unfairly on any grounds regardless of your sex, age, disability, race, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, marriage or civil partnership, religion or belief.