Chair of Governors - Volunteer

Maple Haven, Birchington

• Ref:KCC886-6189-3S
• Posted:12/03/2026
• Pay:Volunteer
• Start Date:Immediate
• App Close Date:30/03/2026 at 14:00
• Interviews:30 March 2026

Advert

Chair of Governors – Maple Haven School

About the Role

Maple Haven School is seeking a motivated, strategic and community‑minded Chair of Governors to lead our Governing Body. This is a key leadership role, working closely with the Headteacher, senior leadership team, and fellow governors to ensure the school continues to provide high‑quality education and a safe, nurturing environment for all pupils.

The Chair plays a crucial part in setting the vision, ensuring effective governance, and supporting and challenging the Headteacher to drive school improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide leadership to the Governing Body, ensuring it fulfils its statutory duties.
• Work in close partnership with the Headteacher, offering support, challenge, and strategic guidance.
• Lead and manage full governing body meetings, ensuring agendas are purposeful and meetings are productive.
• Ensure the Governing Body is effective, well‑organised, and has appropriate skills and diversity.
• Oversee policies, safeguarding, budgets, and school performance monitoring at a strategic level.
• Support governor recruitment, training, and professional development.
• Act as an ambassador for the school within the local community.
• Ensure strong governance oversight of SEND, behaviour, wellbeing, and safeguarding.

Person Specification

We are looking for someone who:

• Has strong leadership and communication skills.
• Can analyse information, ask challenging questions, and support strategic decision‑making.
• Is committed to improving outcomes for all children.
• Can work collaboratively, maintain confidentiality, and exercise sound judgement.
• Is organised, reliable, and confident in leading meetings.
• Is willing to undertake Chair‑specific governor training (fully funded).
• Experience in governance, leadership, education, health, social care, finance, or community roles is helpful—but not essential, as full training and support are provided.

What We Offer

• Full induction, Chair‑specific training, and ongoing development.
• Support from an experienced Governing Body and senior leadership team.
• A meaningful role where you can directly impact children’s lives and school success.
• A warm, inclusive and committed school community.

Information about the school

Maple Haven is a small, nurturing SEN school dedicated to supporting children and young people with a range of learning disabilities and speech, language, and communication needs. Our setting is built on the belief that every pupil deserves a learning environment where they feel understood, valued, and empowered to achieve their personal best.

At Maple Haven, we take a highly individualised approach to education. Our skilled multidisciplinary team, including SEND teachers, speech and language assistants, pastoral staff, and support assistants, works closely with each pupil to create a personalised programme that celebrates their strengths and supports their areas for development. Learning is delivered in small classes with high levels of adult support, enabling pupils to develop confidence, independence, and essential life skills at their own pace. Communication is at the heart of everything we do. We use a range of evidence-based approaches, such as visual supports, and structured language programmes, to ensure every pupil can access learning and express themselves in meaningful ways. Strong relationships, consistency, and a calm, predictable environment help pupils feel safe, understood, and ready to thrive.

Beyond academics, Maple Haven offers rich opportunities for social, emotional, and personal growth. Pupils engage in creative arts, physical development, community learning, and therapeutic activities that promote wellbeing and resilience. Families are valued as key partners, and we work collaboratively to ensure continuity between school and home.

Maple Haven is more than a school, it is a warm, inclusive community where every pupil is supported to learn, communicate, and flourish.

Job Contact Information

• Name:Hayley Byrne
• Address:Maple Haven, Quex Park, Birchington, Kent, CT7 0BH
• Telephone: 01843845033
• Email: hayleybyrne@thellewellyn.school