Emma Harris, Boards For Education

In this Bitesize episode of Let's Talk Social Value, our Partnerships Consultant Michaela is joined by Emma Harris, Head of Partnerships and Programmes at Boards for Education (formerly Governors for Schools), to explore the impact of governance volunteering and how organisations can create lasting social value through skilled volunteering.

We hope you enjoy this episode. If you have a topic you'd like us to discuss or you would like to be considered as a guest please get in touch at hello@samtaler.co.uk. 

Transcript

Michaela

Today I'm joined by Emma Harris from Boards for Education, a charity that supports board recruitment. Welcome, and thank you so much for joining me.

Emma

Hi, Michaela. Lovely to be involved.

My name is Emma Harris, and I'm Head of Partnerships and Programmes at Boards for Education, formerly known as Governors for Schools.

We recruit volunteers to sit on governing boards at schools, colleges, multi-academy trusts and education charity boards. These volunteers serve in a strategic capacity rather than an operational one. Their role is to support education settings in delivering inclusive and aspirational strategies, building links with industry, and preparing pupils for future careers.

Michaela

You've expanded quite a bit since our last conversation. How many volunteers do you have on board?

Emma

We place just under 2,000 volunteers each year. It's a huge programme. We've supported colleges and multi-academy trusts for some time, which is one of the reasons we evolved from the name Governors for Schools.

Our volunteers help set strategic direction, provide financial oversight, and offer both challenge and support. Importantly, people don't need to be parents or have worked in education to become governors. Everyone brings different skills and experiences to the table.

Michaela

Why do organisations get involved with governance volunteering, and what value does it create for schools, volunteers and businesses?

Emma

There are a couple of key reasons.

Firstly, there's the professional development aspect. Employers often want to provide leadership opportunities that employees might not yet have access to in their day-to-day roles. Governance volunteering helps develop leadership skills, supports wellbeing, improves employee engagement and can contribute to staff retention.

However, most conversations I have are focused on social impact and social value. At any one time, we have around 4,000 governance vacancies registered with us, so there are countless opportunities to make a difference.

Schools need people with different perspectives, lived experiences and professional expertise. They already have education specialists and parent representatives around the table, but they also benefit greatly from independent voices who can provide challenge, support and valuable industry insight.

Michaela

That leads nicely to my next question. Can you tell us about the AtkinsRéalis partnership, how it started, and what the programme involves?

Emma

Absolutely. It's one of my favourite projects.

Back in 2022, I had a conversation with Jess Bates from AtkinsRéalis about the future skills crisis, particularly within STEM industries. We discussed how employers could move beyond one-off interventions, such as careers days, and create meaningful long-term impact.

Together, we developed the STEM Governor Programme. Representatives from AtkinsRéalis join school governing boards, typically serving four-year terms. This gives them the opportunity to understand each school's challenges and aspirations and to build long-term engagement plans.

They can then draw upon AtkinsRéalis STEM Ambassadors and wider career engagement opportunities to demonstrate what engineering careers look like, introduce diverse role models and support schools over a sustained period.

The programme has evolved and improved over time, and one of its strengths is the internal network of STEM governors who support one another, share learning and help maximise impact.

Michaela

It's amazing that they're taking such a long-term approach.

Emma

That's exactly what makes the difference.

It's not only about delivering activities directly to pupils. It's also about supporting staff development. Many people working in education have spent their entire careers within the sector, so having access to professionals discussing topics like artificial intelligence, sustainability and climate action can be transformative.

It helps schools understand emerging trends and better prepare pupils for the future.

Michaela

Was there a particular moment when you realised the programme was making a real difference?

Emma

There are a couple of examples that stand out.

One was seeing the programme in action at a school where Jess serves as a STEM governor. The school had organised a careers event tailored to its needs, particularly as it was a special educational needs setting.

Watching pupils engage with female engineers, ask questions and get hands-on experience with technology was incredible. You could see their confidence growing throughout the day, and they began to recognise that STEM careers were genuinely accessible to them.

Importantly, the support didn't stop when the event ended. The school continued building relationships with AtkinsRéalis, including offering work experience opportunities.

The second milestone came when the programme was recognised by the World Economic Forum as an Inclusion Lighthouse Project. That was a fantastic endorsement of both the programme's scalability and its impact.

Michaela

How far and wide is the programme operating today?

Emma

Boards for Education supports schools across England and Wales, and AtkinsRéalis currently has around 126 STEM governors serving across those regions.

Some volunteers sit on multi-academy trust boards, helping influence educational outcomes across approximately 150 schools in around 50 local authorities.

Collectively, the programme reaches well over 100,000 pupils each year.

What's particularly important is the focus on disadvantaged communities. AtkinsRéalis prioritised schools in areas with higher levels of disadvantage, including pupils receiving free school meals and those from underrepresented groups. That's where this type of support can make the greatest difference.

Michaela

You've touched on the impact for schools and young people. What impact has the programme had for AtkinsRéalis itself?

Emma

One major benefit has been the insight gained through working closely with schools.

Rather than developing initiatives from the outside and delivering them to schools, AtkinsRéalis works alongside schools to understand what is genuinely needed. That leads to more meaningful engagement and better outcomes.

The programme has also provided significant professional development opportunities for employees. STEM governors gain leadership experience and bring valuable skills back into the workplace.

We've engaged employees at every career level, from apprentices through to senior leaders. Early-career professionals, in particular, bring a fresh perspective and recent experience of education, which is incredibly valuable.

There's also a striking statistic that highlights why this matters. A survey found there were more governors over the age of 80 than under the age of 30. Increasing representation from younger professionals helps boards better reflect the communities they serve.

Michaela

Based on your experience, what are your top tips for making volunteering partnerships successful?

Emma

I'd highlight five things:

1. Have a champion.
Identify someone who actively supports the programme and, ideally, participates in it themselves. They can encourage others far more effectively.

2. Secure senior buy-in.
Support from leadership demonstrates that volunteering is valued and encouraged throughout the organisation.

3. Put supportive policies in place.
Volunteering hours or flexible working arrangements help employees fully commit to their roles. Governance volunteering typically requires around six hours per month, including school visits.

4. Celebrate success.
Whether through internal networks, peer learning opportunities or external recognition, celebrating achievements helps build pride and momentum.

5. Know your why.
Be clear about your purpose. Organisations that understand the long-term value of supporting schools communicate the opportunity much more effectively and achieve stronger results.

Michaela

And are there any common pitfalls organisations should avoid?

Emma

The biggest challenge is often internal capacity.

We manage the recruitment process, matching, onboarding and ongoing support. What we need from employer partners is support in promoting the programme and encouraging employees to engage.

Even the best programme can struggle if there isn't someone internally helping to communicate and champion the opportunity.

Michaela

When larger organisations get involved, do you typically work together to establish shared goals from the outset?

Emma

Absolutely.

The first thing we explore is why an organisation wants to get involved. For many, social value is a key driver, and we can provide impact reporting to support that. Others focus more on leadership development or employee engagement.

We also look at social impact priorities. For example, some organisations want to engage early-career talent or support particular communities.

Finally, we discuss focus areas. With AtkinsRéalis, key priorities included girls' schools, disadvantaged communities and special educational needs settings. Understanding those goals helps us target opportunities where partners can create the greatest impact.

Michaela

If someone is listening and wants to get involved, what should they do first?

Emma

The simplest step is to get in touch and have a conversation with me.

Visit the Boards for Education website to learn more about our work and our existing partners. We work with organisations across a wide range of sectors, and schools benefit from that diversity of experience.

A conversation is the best place to start.

Michaela

Finally, if you could sum up the impact of your work in one sentence, what would it be?

Emma

I'd say it's about linking industry and education through skilled volunteering.

Michaela

That's a great way to put it.

Thank you so much for joining me today. It's been such an insightful and eye-opening conversation.

If you're interested in partnering with Boards for Education, supporting their work or learning more, you'll find all the relevant links in the show notes.

Thanks for tuning in, and we'll see you next time as we continue to bring social value to life.

Emma

Thanks, Michaela.