A SHORTAGE of school governors has persuaded Bolton Council to launch a recruitment campaign.

The local education authority (LEA) says vacancies for certain types of governor, although fewer than those experienced in many other places, are increasing the workload for already hard-pressed existing governors.

By law governing bodies must be made up of a mixture of different types of governor such as parents, teachers, LEA governors (who the authority recommend) and co-opted governors (who are invited to join after approaching a school).

Most vacancies are for LEA governorships, where the vacancy rate is 9.4 pc and co-opted governorships, where12 pc of posts are empty.

To combat this shortage the council is placing a series of adverts in the BEN and other local media during the summer months calling for would-be governors to come forward.

The LEA is especially keen to attract volunteers from the town's Asian, African and Afro-Caribbean communities.

It is estimated that they currently only make up around four pc of governors although they represent around 10 pc of the town's population.

Chris McCann, who runs the LEA's governors support unit, said the most important ingredient potential candidates need is a determination to help improve their school.

Bonus

He said: "If they have professional qualifications it's a bonus but the main thing we need is someone who's committed to the school.

"It may well involve a steep learning curve for them but we feel we can give them information and support to become effective governors.

"Historically, some people who have become governors may have just turned up for a few meetings but not really contributed. We want people who can make a real contribution."

Governors are responsible for setting a school's aims and objectives and deciding its budget. They also have a monitoring role to ensure a school continues improving.

Until a rule change in August 1999 LEA representatives had to be members of a political party but 40 people have since taken the opportunity to become non-political appointments.

Contact Mr McCann on (01204) 332105 for further information about becoming a co-opted or LEA governor.

Information about governor recruitment will also be distributed in community centres, libraries and leisure centres.