This November Student Governors from around the country will be coming together to develop their skills and learn best practice at the Festival of Student Governance.
Held at the ICC in Birmingham – this annual event brings together young people from across the UK for governance training that ensures they are knowledgeable, supported, and prepared for the responsibility being given to them in their role.
But that’s just what we say… what does a Student Governor really think?
We spoke to last year’s Student Governor for Exeter College Tom Matthew, who previously attended the Festival, to hear his experience in his own words:
“I was a Student Governor from 2019-2020 at Exeter College in Devon, and I wanted share a few words about how Unloc’s Student Governors Conference helped me to become a better governor.
When I started out in my role as a Student Governor, like many new Governors, I didn’t really know what to expect! I was suddenly sitting in this fancy board room surrounded by all these MBEs, CBEs, Professors, Lawyers, Accountants, and local leaders…
I wasn’t really sure how I could bring value to a room already packed with so much knowledge, experience and expertise?!
A month or two into my term, I attended Unloc’s Student Governor Conference, and it was an incredible opportunity to connect with a whole load of likeminded people from across the country who were going through the same experience as me.
As we went through the programme, I quickly learned that the value we bring to board meetings is found in the intimate, direct and thorough experience we have of the education that the board is supporting the college’s leadership to improve.
We are a critical piece of the puzzle of good governance. Attending Unloc’s conference helped me to better understand what that puzzle piece looks like.
Another challenge I had was that I didn’t really understand the broader educational context that my college was operating in. It felt like most of the big decisions the board was being asked were on these massive, long term, estate projects – which were tied to different government schemes and programmes.
I was in no position to know whether these projects were a good deal for the students at my college, because I was looking at things through the narrow lens of my own short experience at the college. I didn’t know how things were likely to change years down the line, and I didn’t really understand how the college’s plans related to national efforts to shift Further Education provision in certain directions.
Unloc’s conference helped me to open my eyes to the ‘big education picture’, that is, how education funding and provision has change over the past few years, and where it is headed. This helped me to better understand the role my college can play, and how we can make decisions that are in the interests of students today, and students in years to come.
The conference gave me a renewed confidence and a sense that – through being a student governor, I could make a real difference to the experience students had at my college.
I was now connected to a network of student governors from across the country, and a team of people at Unloc, all of whom were ready to support me to become the best governor I could be.
My term as student governor was only one year, so I had to hit the ground running, and that’s not easy to do when you have no idea what you are doing, but Unloc, and this conference in particular, helped me to find my feet and make the most of what was a seriously amazing experience.
Are you a Student Governor interested in attending the event?
As a delegate you’ll become equipped with practical skills and knowledge, hear from inspirational guest speakers, and develop abilities that will empower you to deliver positive influence and change at your college.
Our dynamic one day conference includes overnight accommodation, interactive workshops, bespoke training, inspiring guest speakers and a networking dinner.
What’s the schedule?
Delegates will check into the Ibis Birmingham New Street Hotel from 5pm on Monday 15th November. At 7pm that evening there will be a networking dinner event where all attendees can meet, get to know each other, enjoy a meal and hear from our inspirational guest speakers.
The next morning on Tuesday 16th November delegates will enjoy breakfast, then head to the Birmingham International Convention Centre for a 9am – 4pm conference event, filled with engaging workshops, training, lunch, guest speakers and immersive activities.
Thanks to a heavily subsidised ticket we are pleased to offer delegate passes at £75 each. This includes the conference, all food, entertainment, and overnight accommodation.
The only thing not included is travel to and from the conference!
Delegate passes are offered on a first come first served basis. There are a limited number of places available – so be sure to reserve a place sooner rather than later.
Young Person interested in attending the event?
Speak to your college Principal or Clerk to find out if you’re able to join in and attend, we’d love to see you there!
Education professional looking to book a place/places for your students?
