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Q&A: Sue Diment, Education Partnerships Manager, Cardiff University

Recruiting governors can often be a significant challenge for schools and especially finding people who have the right mix of skills and experience for the job. Cardiff University’s School Governor Programme aims to support university staff wanting to become school governors, enabling them to use their skills and expertise to strengthen school leadership and management, and contribute to improving educational attainment and wellbeing for future generations. We spoke to Education Partnerships Manager Sue Diment about the programme and her work with Governors Cymru Services.

Tell us about your role
As the University’s Education Partnerships Manager in the Widening Participation Team, I’m the central point of contact for school engagement across the University for staff. This part of my role is very varied, from supporting recruitment activities to linking staff with education partners to supporting researcher-led engagement with schools. I also run several school projects including the School Governor Programme, which is about helping to recruit university staff to become school governors, and managing a small grant scheme for staff governors to apply for.

How does the School Governor Programme work?
The School Governor Programme was originally established to support the University’s Civic Mission by strengthening engagement with schools and colleges across Wales. It now sits within the Widening Participation team, reflecting the University’s role as part of the wider education ecosystem. By sharing expertise and creating direct links with schools, the programme offers a meaningful way for the University to contribute to the education sector.

The programme was developed to encourage and support staff to become school governors. Following initial research into school governance, a partnership was formed in 2019 with Governors Cymru Services. This collaboration has been central to the programme’s success, providing expert guidance and resources for new and existing governors. Through a dedicated subscription to Governors Cymru Services developed with Cardiff University, serving staff governors can access tailored advice, training, and regular updates to support them in their governance roles.

I deliver a series of staff information sessions throughout the year in partnership with Governors Cymru Services and Governors for Schools. These sessions are aimed at helping staff understand the role and how to get involved. In addition, I have developed dedicated web pages which provide resources such as guidance materials, short films and case studies for staff thinking of becoming a school governor. The programme also aligns with the University’s Widening Participation objectives by encouraging staff to support schools in areas of socio-economic disadvantage, and by offering specific support for Welsh-speaking staff interested in governing roles within Welsh-medium schools.

Beyond supporting schools, the programme also acts as a professional development opportunity for staff. It enables individuals, particularly those not yet in management roles, to build valuable skills, gain leadership experience, and broaden their career prospects. By connecting the University’s expertise with the needs of school governing bodies, the programme creates mutual benefit for staff, schools and the wider community.

In addition to supporting recruitment, I also provide ongoing support for staff who are already serving as school governors. Governors can register to join the staff network, which currently includes 147 members. Of these, 67 have reported that they became governors after attending one of the programme’s information sessions. As part of the network, staff can subscribe to Governors Cymru Services, giving them access to expert guidance, resources, and ongoing support to help them carry out their governance role effectively.

In 2023, I introduced an annual small grants scheme for serving staff governors who are registered within the network. Through this scheme, governors, in partnership with their school governing bodies, can apply for funding of up to £500 to support initiatives specific to their school. The funding can be used for a range of activities. Since its launch, 36 grants have been awarded, supporting projects such as staff training to enhance pupil wellbeing, equipment to support curriculum delivery, the use of outdoor spaces to enrich learning experiences, school trips and events and climate change initiatives including environmental monitoring and garden projects. Priority is given to applications that support schools in widening participation priority areas or align with key priority groups, ensuring the funding has the greatest possible impact.

Why do you think it’s important for staff to volunteer as school governors?
I believe it is important for staff to volunteer as school governors because schools are shaping the next generation and preparing young people for their future role in society. It is essential that they deliver high-quality education, and governing bodies play a crucial part in this. They provide strategic leadership and act as a ‘critical friend’, while also holding schools to account for their performance and decision-making.

I always explain to staff that this is not the same as being part of a PTA. Being a governor is a strategic role with significant responsibility. Governors are involved in overseeing the school’s leadership, monitoring financial performance, and supporting the school in addressing key challenges. For many staff, particularly those who are not yet in senior management roles, this offers a valuable opportunity to gain experience at that level, develop leadership skills and build confidence in strategic thinking and decision-making.

I also reassure staff that they are not expected to have prior knowledge or experience of how schools operate. What really matters is a genuine interest in making a difference, a commitment to improving outcomes for young people and a willingness to contribute to the school’s development. I always highlight that you do not need to be a parent to become a governor, which often surprises people and helps open the opportunity to a much wider group of staff.

How beneficial do you think Governors Cymru Services are and the role on what they do?
Governors Cymru Services is our key partner in school governance, and they bring a huge amount of expertise and insight to the programme. They act as a trusted knowledge base, keeping me fully up to date with developments in the governance landscape and ensuring that the information and support we provide to staff is accurate and relevant.

As I’m not a specialist in school governance, they are always my first point of contact for advice and guidance. Their willingness to share their expertise makes a real difference, not just to me, but to all the staff we support. They are approachable, responsive and genuinely committed to helping people succeed in their roles as governors.

They are also a fantastic organisation to work with – highly professional, collaborative and generous with their time. The support they have provided to develop and sustain the programme has been incredibly valuable, and it has enabled us to offer a much stronger, more effective experience for our staff governors.

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