Overview:
Drayton Park Primary School is seeking an experienced and dedicated individual to serve as Chair of Governors. This is an opportunity to join a dynamic and dedicated team of Governors to support a highly committed and ambitious leadership team.

About Drayton Park Primary School:
We are a vibrant and ambitious community primary school, in the heart of Islington. We have higher than average numbers of pupils who speak English as an additional language, as well as those entitled to free school meals. Our families come from a very broad range of backgrounds and we pride ourselves on our shared commitment to each other and our school. We care deeply about nurturing our children as individuals, ensuring all can be happy and thrive as learners and friends. At Drayton Park we are all about learning, inclusivity, kindness and creativity. We do these all exceptionally well. Our pupil outcomes are significantly above national averages. We are currently graded ‘good’ with ‘outstanding’ leadership and management by Ofsted and we are always striving to further improve. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Leading effective governance: giving the governing body a clear lead and direction,

ensuring that the governors work as an effective team and understand their accountability and the part they play in the strategic leadership of the school and in
driving school improvement.

• Building the team: attracting governors with the necessary skills and ensuring that

tasks are delegated across the governing body so that all members contribute and feel
that their individual skills, knowledge and experience are well used and that the overall workload is shared.

• Relationship with the headteacher: Being a critical friend by offering support,

challenge and encouragement, holding the headteacher to account and ensuring the
headteacher’s performance management is rigorous and robust; a good comparison is
with the role of the chair of a board of trustees who works with the chief executive of
an organisation but does not run day-to-day operations.

• Improving your school: ensuring school improvement is the focus of all policy and

strategy and that governor scrutiny, monitoring and challenge reflect school improvement priorities.

• Leading the business: ensuring that statutory requirements and regulations are met,

that the school provides value for money in its use of resources and that governing
body business is conducted efficiently and effectively.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Experience as a Chairperson of a school board or governing body, or similar experience and a strong willingness to learn about school governance. 
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Experience in financial management within an educational setting.
• Strong understanding of state-funded primary education.
• Ability to engage effectively with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Success in leading strategic initiatives and driving school improvement.

Personal Attributes:

• Commitment to the ethos and values of state-funded education.
• Ability to inspire confidence and trust.
• High level of integrity and ethical standards.
• Flexibility and resilience.

Support and Collaboration:

• The new board consists of highly qualified and committed members who will provide substantial support to the Chair and Headteacher.
• The Chair will work collaboratively with a team that brings diverse skills and expertise.

Application Process:
Submit your CV and a cover letter outlining your suitability for the role to the school office at admin@draytonpark.islington.sch.uk for the attention of the Governing Board. 

Our current Chair would be happy to talk to any candidates about the role. Send a request to the above email address with your contact phone number. 

Equal Opportunities:
Drayton Park Primary School is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, or age.

Safeguarding:

Safeguarding children is of paramount importance at Drayton Park School and all Governors are required to complete safeguarding training and undergo an Enhanced DBS check.