Research
A survey of SGOSS volunteers currently serving as governors
A survey was sent out to school governor volunteers placed by SGOSS between October 2009 and March 2010. The survey asked volunteers about their general experiences of being a governor, the appointment process and the support they received in undertaking the role.
A study into the experience of school governors recruited through the Open University
SGOSS enjoys a strong working relationship with the Open University- encouraging some 300 students, staff and alumni to apply. This research project, on bahalf and funded by the OU, analyses the experiences of these volunteers.
"Governors Mean Business" - 2010 Special Report
SGOSS was launched in response to the findings of research commissioned by the educational trust Industry in Education in 1996. As the SGOSS celebrates its 10th birthday, Dr. Anne Punter and Professor John Adams reviewed the principals of this research by interviewing governors, heads and chairs on the impact of SGOSS volunteers.
Summary of Research by Herts University
In 2007 SGOSS commissioned the University of Hertfordshire to carry out independent research among the governors it had recruited with the aim of quantifying the added value these volunteers felt they had given and received.
Among the key findings were that a significant number of the volunteers had been elected to highly responsible positions such chair or vice-chair of the whole governing body or chair of a supporting committee. A number of governors were taking part in the Head Teacher’s Performance Management Review, were helping appoint new staff, or were leading projects.
The research also evidenced that the volunteers normally complete their minimum 4 four year first term of office, and deploy key skills such as effective communications and team working that are rated as valuable by their head teachers. In return volunteers develop financial, listening, recruitment and team management skills. Crucially there was an indication that Ofsted gradings which included assessments of governing bodies, have shown improvements since the appointment of SGOSS appointed governors into their schools.
Volunteering – The Business Case
The benefits of corporate volunteering programmes in education
This research explores the business case for City-type firms maintaining Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes. It focuses on the competencies that can be developed through participation in education-related employee volunteering programmes, as well as the benefits that this approach can offer over more traditional forms of staff development. It also examines the benefits offered to employers, and highlights key aspects of developing a successful employee volunteering programme via case studies of firms that have facilitated staff development in this way. The report highlights the particular benefits which can be gained from volunteering as a school governor.
The Added Value of Volunteering
Volunteering and health: what impact does it really have? (University of Lampeter)
- More than CV points? The Benefits of Employee Volunteering for Business and Individuals [PDF] (The Social Market Foundation, March 2010)
- Volunteering - A great way to learn real executive leadership (Forbes, 2012)
- Volunteering and health: evidence of impact and implications for policy and practice (IVR 2011)
Governor Impact Report
A new report from SGOSS explores the link between school governance and the quality of children’s education. Based on over 600 responses and 400 examples, the report concludes that a a causal link between the actions / effectiveness of the governing body and pupil performance can be reasonably inferred. The report s available via www.sgoss.org.uk/file-downloads/category/1-publications.html?download=51:impact-report
Effective School Governance – Challenges , Benefits and Opportunities
The University of Bath were commissioned by Business in the Community to undertake research examining the effectiveness of school governance
This study sought to establish the relationship between governing body effectiveness and pupil attainment in primary schools and secondary schools in high and low socio-economic settings
1)The ‘Hidden Givers’: A Study of School Governing Bodies in England (2010) (Report / Summary)
2)Governing Our Schools and The School Governance Study (2008) (Report / Summary)