About Governors Wales

Established in 1995, Governors Wales is the voice of governors of schools in Wales. Our main office is situated in Mount Stuart Square in the heart of Cardiff Bay. Click here for more detail on location.

Governors Wales is committed to supporting the effective management and provision of high quality learning opportunities for all pupils and young people in Wales.

The work of Governors Wales recognises that governors voluntarily give their time, experience and expertise to help their schools and the communities they serve.

We share with parents, teachers, young people and the local community the passion to support schools to provide the best possible learning experience for all.

Governors Wales recognises that governors are accountable for the conduct and standards of schools in Wales. Governors Wales aims to be a support for governors and an advocate for their concerns and interests. We represent the view of governors on all matters affecting schools and help them to govern their schools effectively.

Click here for Statement of Values

Governors Wales provides the following services to assist you in your role of governor:

Helpline

Our telephone helpline can be used to talk through issues about the governance of schools. An experienced person will take your call and discuss your concerns on a confidential basis. Use the helpline if you need an independent source of information, advice and guidance and a sympathetic but objective ear.

Governors Wales helpline telephone 0845 60 20 100. All calls are charged at the local rate.

The helpline is available from 9.00a.m. to 10.00p.m. during weekdays and from 11.00a.m. to 4.00p.m during on weekends, excluding public and bank holidays.

A bilingual service is available.

Published Guidance

The Governors Wales Handbook provides both recently-appointed and more experienced governors of schools a useful guide to their duties and responsibilities and practical tips and examples of good governing body practice.

A new edition of the handbook will be distributed to governors in September 2007. You will also be able to access the handbook in PDF format from the website.

Governor Fact Files/Governor Guides

Governors Wales produces, from time to time, up to date information documents for school governors, all of which can be accessed in the publication section of this website. Examples range from statutory policies and documents required to governor guides on preventing bullying etc.

Development Officers

Our Development Officers are available to support the work of local associations and, if necessary, individual governing bodies or governors. They also help to ensure a close working partnership between Governors Wales and Local Education Authorities.

Our Development Officers are:

Mike Barker – responsible for Central (South) and South Wales
Tel: 01597 825318 Mobile: 07866 453857
Email: mbarker@governorswales.org.uk

Ray Wells – responsible for Central (North) and North Wales
Tel: 01352 751360 Mobile: 07837 528885
Email: rwells@governorswales.org.uk

Help for Local Associations

Local Associations of governors exist in most education areas in Wales. They enable local discussion about schools and their governance whether the issues are local or national. It is as a result of local debate conducted in Local Associations throughout Wales that Governors Wales is able to influence the way governing bodies go about their work. Our Development Officers help Local Associations to plan and implement their programme of work which can include regular business meetings, seminars, conferences, conventions and so on. Each Local Association will be publishing their activities on this site in the near future.

To contact your Local Association, please telephone your Development Officer. Additional information can also be found in the local association section of the website.