College Governors

Are you interested in shaping the strategy and character of your local further education college?

Governors make an important contribution to the life of a college and its students, helping to ensure that it’s run well and serves the needs of local people. Becoming a college governor can also be a way of gaining new skills and getting the kind of experience that’s often valued by employers.

There’s no one type of person best suited to becoming a governor: the most important qualities are an interest in further education and a desire to contribute to the life of the College.

It’s important that a college’s governing body understands what students and employers need, represents the community the College serves and has members with the skills to provide leadership for the College.

What’s involved in being a governor?

The College Principal is responsible for the day-to-day running of the College, with the governing body defining the College’s strategy and offering advice and support.

The governing body at City College Plymouth is made up of 15 governors, appointed for up to four years at a time. Its duties include:

• defining the College’s strategy - setting aims and objectives
• making sure the Principal and staff are accountable for how the College is run
• monitoring and evaluating the College’s performance
• playing a part in appointing senior college staff and setting the framework for the pay and conditions of more junior staff.

This means that the governing body is accountable for the College’s financial position and use of public funds, the quality of the education it provides and its wider contribution to the community it serves.

City College Plymouth currently has 11 general governors who come from a wide variety of backgrounds including the public, business and community sectors. The four remaining governors come from the College itself ensuring that both staff and students have a voice. Their combined experience, expertise and knowledge enable the Board of the Corporation to respond to the College needs and that of the local community and businesses.

If you would like to find out more about our college governors, or are interested in becoming a governor, please see our Governors' Website.