THE Butts School in Alton is looking for a new governor.

The school is looking for someone interested in making a positive difference to the education of children in the town.

School governors are one of the largest volunteer forces in the country and have an important part to play in raising school standards by providing strategic leadership and accountability in schools.

They hold the main responsibility for finance in schools and work with the headteacher to make the tough decisions about balancing resources.

The key roles of the board of governers are:

* To set the aims and objectives for the school;

* To set the policies for achieving those aims and objectives;

* To set the targets for achieving those aims and objectives;

* To monitor and evaluate the progress the school is making toward achieving its aims and objectives; and

* To be a source of challenge and support to the headteacher.

Almost anyone over 18 can become a governor. There are no particular qualifications or requirements, other than a willingness to give time to the role and a capacity for working with other people. There are many free training courses throughout the year, which offer skills transferable from governance to employment.

Anyone interested in becoming a governor at The Butts School should e-mail Debby Bridger at [email protected].