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A vacancy has opened up for a co-opted governor at Abraham Moss High School to work alongside parents, staff and local education authority members on the governing body.

The board of governors is responsible for setting, agreeing and monitoring educational policies as well as drawing up plans, monitoring and maintaining standards and managing budgets.

Governors also handle staff recruitment and pupil discipline. They are expected to support and promote the school and take an active part in school life.

Candidates do not need to be parents but must be able to spare a few evening each term to attend meetings and be prepared to sit on the board for four years and act as part of a team.

As long as governors act within the law, they are protected from any financial liability. Training, advice and support is provided by the local education authority and school governors have a legal right to reasonable unpaid leave from their employer. There are also opportunities to gain qualifications for working as a governor.

Alison Thaw, chair of the governors at Abraham Moss, explained the board would particularly welcome applications from business people.

She said: "We need someone who can work alongside the parent, LEA and staff governors to maintain and improve the quality of education and standards of achievement.

"Candidates need to have an interest in education, be part of the local community, be willing to contribute to the school through their knowledge, skills and contacts and be prepared to give up a few evenings a term to attend meetings."

Leaflets on the duties of school governors are available from Manchester education authority and can be provided in a variety of languages and are available in Braille, on tape and on the Internet.

Enquiries or applications should be sent, before 28th February, by post to Alison Thaw, Chair of Governors, Abraham Moss High School, Crumpsall, Manchester, M8 5UF or by E-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .