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Community Governor - Volunteer - Special Needs Position

Fortis Trust

  • Ref:KCC-F87-33-S
  • Posted:23/06/2026
  • Pay:£0 - Voluntary Position
  • Start Date:TBC
  • App Close Date:17/07/2026 at 23:45
  • Interviews:TBC

Schools this job is for

Advert

Bradfields Academy, part of Fortis Trust, is seeking a committed and values-driven Community Governor to join its Local Governing Committee.

About the role

Community Governors contribute to strong governance by focusing on what matters most: the experiences, outcomes, and wellbeing of young people.
 
SEND
  • Supporting oversight of high-quality specialist provision
  • Ensuring the academy continues to meet a wide range of complex needs
  • Contributing to strategic priorities that improve inclusion, independence, and life outcomes

Safeguarding

  • Ensuring safeguarding is embedded across culture, systems, and decision-making
  • Maintaining oversight of safeguarding practice and statutory responsibilities
  • This supports the safety, wellbeing, and protection of all students

Standards

  • Providing appropriate challenge and support regarding quality of education and outcomes
  • Ensuring high expectations for all students
  • This enables continuous improvement and strong outcomes over time

Stakeholders

  • Supporting strong relationships with parents, carers, and the wider community
  • Bringing a community-informed perspective into governance discussions
  • This strengthens partnership working and community confidence

Who we are looking for

Fortis Trust welcomes applications from individuals outside of education who can bring transferable professional expertise and independent thinking to governance.
 
Training and development will be provided.

Relevant experience may include:

  • Leadership or management in any sector
  • Community, voluntary, or public service roles
  • Health, social care, or youth services
  • Legal, compliance, or regulatory environments
  • Business, operations, or service delivery
  • Communications or stakeholder engagement
  • Digital, data, or systems leadership

What you will bring

  • A commitment to improving outcomes for children and young people
  • The ability to think strategically and consider long-term impact
  • Confidence to offer appropriate challenge and support
  • Strong communication and collaborative working skills
  • Integrity, discretion, and sound judgement

What you will gain

  • The opportunity to make a meaningful difference to young people and families
  • Experience contributing to strategic governance within a specialist academy
  • Access to high-quality training and development through Fortis Trust
  • Insight into education leadership and system-wide working
  • The opportunity to develop your own leadership and governance expertise
  • The opportunity to be part of a friendly and supportive team of governors

Safeguarding

Bradfields Academy and Fortis Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All governors are required to undertake appropriate safeguarding training and are subject to an Enhanced DBS check.

How to Apply

To apply

Or complete the  Governor Application Form and return it to:

Mrs Sweetlove‑Smyth

Fortis Trust

C/O Bradfields Academy
Churchill Avenue
Chatham, Kent ME5 0LB

Information about the federation

Fortis Trust strives to provide high quality education as a result of strong partnerships between its academies, institutions and local partners. We support and assist schools in enhancing existing talents and strengths, ensuring all children achieve highly in their academic and personal development. Our curriculums are child-centred; tailored to the needs and aspirations of each partner school and their children.

Bradfields Academy is an outstanding Specialist SEND Academy, for children with learning needs and associated disabilities aged 4-19 years. Bradfields Academy has been recognised as a highly innovative and forward thinking academy involved in SEN educational development at a local and national level. Located in Walderslade, Kent and situated within easy reach of local transport.

Forward2Employment works alongside Fortis Trust to support young people, with Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND), in Medway, Kent and the South East to find permanent and purposeful employment.

We passionately believe that all young people should be given the opportunity to work in their local community, to feel valued and have a place in society.

We provide Supported Internships for young adults. Supported Internships are a structured study programme based primarily at a place of employment.

Job Contact Information

  • Name:Lesley Harris
  • Address:Bradfields Academy,
    Churchill Avenue,
    Chatham ,
    Chatham ,
    Kent,
    ME5 0LB
  • Telephone: 01634 683990
  • Email: lesley.harris@fortistrust.co.uk

Fax:

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Before applying for this vacancy please ensure you have read all the relevant information and documents provided by the school. If you are ready to apply for this vacancy please click the "Apply Now" button

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our students. You are advised that this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and therefore this post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure Application to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). Please be aware that schools are also required to undertake online recruitment checks on shortlisted candidates under changes to Keeping Children Safe in Education.