BUSINESS people are being targeted to fill vacant school governor roles in York.

A continuous turnover of governors means there are always vacancies, and assistant director of education at the City of York Council, Jenny Vickers, says business people can bring expertise to the role.

"We are on the lookout to get a good cross-section from the community, particularly business partners and representatives of different community groups so they can bring their expertise to the governing body."

A meeting to promote the benefits of becoming a school governor to business people was held at Hazelwood Castle, near Tadcaster, yesterday. The event was organised by North Yorkshire Business and Education Partnership, Governors' One Stop Shop, and the City of York Education Authority and North Yorkshire Education Authorities.

Delegates were told of the many roles of a governor - including promoting high standards of attainment, setting targets for pupil achievement, taking general responsibility for the conduct of the school, managing its budget, making sure the curriculum is balanced, participating in the appointment of the head teacher, and drawing up an action plan after an Ofsted inspection.

Carrie Geddes, who is the sales director of Maxiprint and who has been a co-opted governor at Clifton Green Primary School for two years, uses her business expertise to help the school with promotions and marketing. She said: "It is a good way of putting something back into the community."

At Archbishop Holgate's School the governing board is chaired by the Archbishop of York, Dr David Hope, and includes company directors, university professors as well as parents. Head teacher John Harris said: "Governors have a very important role in the strategy decisions of the school in sustaining the schools aims and values and in supporting the hard work of the committed staff."

Sue Pagliaro, manager of the City of York governance service, added: "Schools need help to provide the best possible education for their pupils. Governors provide a vital link with the community served by the school."

There are more than 100 school governor vacancies throughout York with governors needed from the LEA as well as staff members and parents. Anyone interested in finding out more about becoming a school governor should contact Sue Pagliaro on 01904 554258.

Updated: 12:19 Saturday, December 14, 2002