Serving our community through strong governance and oversight

Our Local Governing Body plays a vital role in helping Keyworth Primary and Crossdale Schools achieve high standards of education and well-being for every pupil. We are looking for thoughtful, committed individuals to join us and make a positive contribution to our work across both schools.

Governors are volunteers who help ensure that the schools are well led, well governed, and continuously improving. You do not run the school — that is the professional leadership’s responsibility — but you do help ensure it is working effectively and in the best interests of all learners.

You do not need to have children at either school, or any existing connection to the schools, to apply or to contribute effectively.

About the role

Governors operate as a committee of the Equals Trust Board of Directors under the Trust’s Scheme of Delegation. This means:

  • The Trust Board retains overall accountability in law and delegates specific governance responsibilities to the Local Governing Body.
  • Governors monitor and challenge performance within the delegated remit — including pupil outcomes, finance, policy compliance and stakeholder engagement — and report back to the Trust Board.

This is strategic oversight work, requiring curiosity, rigour and thoughtful judgement.

What governors do

As part of the Local Governing Body you will:

  • Attend governing body meetings (typically evening meetings twice per term)
  • Monitor progress against school improvement priorities
  • Review and evaluate performance information
  • Visit the schools to gather evidence about practices and outcomes
  • Report findings and contribute to collective decision-making
  • Ensure statutory duties and policies are being met

Governors are expected to read papers in advance and come prepared to ask questions and offer constructive challenge. Training, guidance and mentoring support are provided.

What the role is not

Being a Governor is not about involvement in the day-to-day running of the school, not a route for raising individual parental concerns, and not a means of influencing decisions for particular pupils or families.

Governors do not act as representatives for parents or staff and must not use the role to pursue personal issues or interests. Any concerns about individual children, staffing matters or operational decisions must be raised directly with school leaders through established school procedures, not through governance.

Applicants seeking the role in order to influence outcomes for their own child or to pursue personal interests should not apply.

What we are looking for now

Following a recent skills audit, we are particularly keen to hear from people who:

  • Can bring evaluative and assurance-based thinking, particularly when analysing data and performance information
  • Are able to help the board focus on impact, not just activity or process
  • Can work confidently within a Scheme of Delegation, understanding the respective roles of governors, leaders and the Trust Board
  • Have confidence in monitoring compliance and asking questions with clarity and sensitivity
  • Can help the board maintain strategic focus rather than drifting into operational detail

You do not need prior experience of school governance, but you do need the ability to think analytically, ask probing questions, and contribute to collective, evidence-led decision-making.

What governors get from the role

Many governors find the role rewarding because it:

  • Offers insight into how education leadership and strategy operate in practice
  • Makes a genuine difference to children’s learning and wellbeing
  • Supports strong accountability and community confidence in schools
  • Develops strategic thinking, analysis and governance skills

How to apply

If you would like to know more, please contact Mr Peter Cresswell (Executive Headteacher) for an informal conversation using contact@crossdale.notts.sch.uk or by calling 0115 974 8005. We can also arrange for you to speak with an existing governor about the role.

We recommend watching this short introduction to school governance:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRqJ_bFipHk