personal statement for school governor application

Ask A Clerk

Advice For School Governors and Clerks

What should I write in a parent governor statement?

If you are applying to be a parent governor or trustee you will be asked to write a short statement saying why you are interested in volunteering and what skills you would bring to the role. If an election is needed this statement will help other parents choose between the candidates.

In many schools volunteers are thin on the ground so the statement may not be vital, as you will be elected unopposed if you are the only volunteer. However, it is still a good idea to show you understand the role of governor/trustee in your statement.

This page provides guidance on what to include in your statement and some parent governor statement examples of 50, 100 and 250 words you can adapt for your circumstances.

Your Connection To the School

Say how old your children are and their current year. If your children have just joined the school you have a reason to want it to succeed for years to come and the same applies if you have more than one child attending.

Mention any other ties you have to the school such as previous volunteer work, helping out in classrooms or on trips, or supporting the PTA; anything that shows your commitment to the school and your reliability as a volunteer.

You could mention how long you have lived in the area and what the school means to you. If it is a church school talk a little about your faith and show you understand the aims of the school in this respect.

Your Understanding of School Governance

All school governors have three main roles.

• To ensure the school has a clear vision, ethos and strategic direction.
• To hold the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school.
• To oversee the budget and finances and make sure money is well spent.

Write about any aspects of governance you could contribute to. Governor responsibilities are wide but include scrutinising budgets, approving policies on all aspects of school life, planning how the school will improve, discussing why some groups of children are not achieving as well as others, making sure children are safe and dealing with staffing issues.

Governors are often described as being a “critical friend” to the school. They are there to support the school and help it improve, but they must also be willing to challenge the headteacher and senior leaders when necessary, ask why the school is struggling in a particular area and what can be done to improve it.

Search for the school’s latest OFSTED report and look for any remarks about governance. Are there any weaknesses of governance you could help to improve? Do you understand the challenges a school might face in terms of catchment area, budget restrictions or high levels of children with special needs?

If you are volunteering at an academy within a multi-academy trust show that you understand whether you will be governing as a trustee on the main governing board or a local governor on a local governing body.

What skills can you bring to the role?

Any of the following skills will be useful on the governing body:

• accounting, budgets and finance experience
• management of buildings
• health and safety
• data analysis
• human resources experience
• interpersonal skills, working in a team
• knowledge of education, the curriculum, special educational needs and safeguarding or child protection
• managing staff and hiring employees
• work where you had to keep things confidential.

You could also write about your commitment to undertake training and show that you understand governors need to attend regular meetings and visit the school.

What Not To Include!

If you mention any of the following items you will show that you do not understand the role of the governing body. Parent governors do not :

• fundraise – this is usually done by a parent teacher association (PTA)
• represent parents – this is a common misunderstanding but parent governors are not the voice of the parents. They have the same role as any other governor on the board
• vote in favour of whatever the majority of parents want – if there is a controversial issue that parents are angry about it is any governor’s job to vote for whatever they believe is best for the school as a whole
• discuss individual children (in most cases) – governors take an overview of the school and make strategic decisions about budgets, policies and development plans (although one exception would be if a child is at risk of exclusion)
• interfere with the day-to-day running of the school – the headteacher runs the school, governors hold the headteacher to account
• rubber-stamp everything that comes their way – you will need to be confident enough to ask some difficult questions if results are disappointing or mistakes are made

Parent Governor Statement Examples

Here are some example statements you can use as a starting point. I have written these with the assumption that you are a new parent governor, but if you are already on the board you should also include details of your governance work, eg: feedback from OFSTED or external advisers about how the board is run or what contributions you have made in a link role .

Don’t worry if you don’t have a job that particularly fits in with governance (or you’re not working at all) as people from all walks of life can do the role – just show your enthusiasm and demonstrate your understanding of school governance.

Parent Governor Statement – 50 words

My son Tim has just joined the school in Y1. I work as an accountant and would like to use my financial skills and experience analysing budgets to give back in a volunteer role. I am keen to attend training and get to know the school.

Parent Governor Statement – 100 words

I am keen to join the governing body as many of my family members have attended this school. My two older children attended and my daughter Sarah is in Y9.

I have volunteered for many school trips and I would now like to become a governor to help steer the school in the right direction and retain its excellent reputation for academic success and happy, friendly children.

I have been in retail for 10 years where I have worked well with people from all backgrounds and gained knowledge of health and safety. I understand the need for governors to be demanding but fair.

Parent Governor Statement – 250 words

Malory Towers Primary is a terrific school with an outstanding OFSTED rating and I would like to help the school continue to improve and develop.

My name is James Mallow and my twins are in Y4. My day job is in data analysis and I believe these skills will transfer well to the work of school governance, helping the school to analyse the attainment gaps between groups of pupils and pinpoint where the school needs to be doing more for our children.

I am lucky enough to have the time to commit to a demanding volunteer role as my firm provide time off for school governors. This means that I am able to attend meetings, governor training and visit the school during the day.

I am particularly keen to ensure that all children are safeguarded well and can fulfil their full potential whatever their background, special educational needs or disabilities.

I am not afraid to ask difficult questions if necessary on behalf of all the children this school serves. I am also keen to support the school and all of its dedicated staff who work so hard to keep this place running smoothly.

Although I have no experience of school governance specifically I have served on the board of a small charity which had responsibility for a modest budget and made tough decisions about which projects to fund and how money could be best spent.

I hope that you will consider voting for me and thank you for reading.

Related posts:

• Can a parent governor continue if their child leaves the school?
• Who can be a parent governor?
• Must school governors write an annual report to parents?
• How do we hold a parent governor election?
• Can the board stop an unsuitable parent governor being elected?

Discover more from Ask A Clerk

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Type your email…

Continue reading

Stanhope Primary School

Strengths recognised. achievements celebrated..

• Head Teacher’s Welcome
• Ethos and Values
• School Staff
• Annual Governor Statement 2023

Personal Governor Statements

• Governor Information
• Impact of Governor Training
• Ofsted Reports
• Schools Financial Benchmarking
• Ofsted Parent View
• Stanhope Brochure
• Stanhope Nursery Brochure
• Rainbow Flag Award
• Spiritual,Moral, Social and Cultural Education and British Values
• Culture Capital
• Forest School & Early Years
• Out of Hours Clubs
• School Council Pupil Statements
• School Council Constitution
• School Council – Recycling Assembly
• Food Bank Collection
• School Council Litter Assembly
• January Blues “Toy Sale”
• Healthy School Award 2017
• School Council visit Jarrow Town Hall
• Visit to South Shields Town Hall
• About Our Curriculum
• Design Technology
• Mathematics
• Physical Education
• Religious Education
• Nursery – Key Information
• Reception – Key Information
• Year 1 – Key Information
• Year 2 – Key Information
• Year 3 – Key Information
• Year 4 – Key Information
• Year 5 – Key Information
• Year 6 – Key Information
• Early Years, Phonics and Key Stage 1 & 2 Results 2022/2023
• Early Years, Phonics and Key Stage 1 & 2 Results 2021/2022
• Early Years, Phonics and Key Stage 1&2 Results 2018/2019
• Performance Tables
• Multiplication Tables Check Year 4 Results
• Pupil Premium
• SEND Reports
• Safeguarding and Child protection
• Operation Encompass
• Attendance and Welfare
• Friendship Mascot
• Absence and Lateness
• Attend to Achieve Events
• School Admissions
• Be Smart On The Internet
• Social Media and Parents
• Stay Safe Online This Summer
• Cookie Policy
• Privacy Statements
• School Uniform
• Parents Guide to SATs
• Why Agressive Behaviours Guide
• School Meals
• Free School Meals for Infants
• School Milk
• Early Years
• Special Needs
• Welfare and Discipline
• Work For Home
• Travelling to School
• Cross Country
• District Selections
• Orienteering
• School Games Day
• Sports Gallery
• PE and Sports Premium
• PE Curriculum Intent
• Sporting Benefits at Stanhope
• Gold School Games Mark Award 22-23
• Sports Award Winners 2018
• Sports Award Winners 2017
• New Activities
• Past Events
• In-School Support
• Adult & Children’s Services
• Accessing Google Classroom
• The Happy News Online!
• Mental Health Champions
• What does it do?
• Mindfulness and Childhood Mental Health
• Mindful Learning Environments
• Teddy’s News
• Teddy – Our School Dog
• COVID-19 INFORMATION
• House Competition 2 ’23’
• House Competition ’23’ 1
• Inter House Overall Final Results 21-22
• House Competition ’22’ 2
• House Competition ’22’ 1
• What’s Been Happening?
• Nursery News
• Reception News
• Year 1 News
• Year 2 News
• Year 3 News
• Year 4 News
• Year 5 News
• Year 6 News
• Home Learning
• Online Safety – Remote Learning
• National Online Safety – Top 10 Tips for Parents
• Learning@Home

Personal Statements:

John Hetherington (Chair of Governors)

I attended Stanhope Primary school as did my daughter so have a great affinity and passion for the school. I joined the board of Governors in 2014 and I am proud to have been elected as chair of Resources.

I work closely with the Head Teacher and my Governor colleagues to make sure that the finances are well managed for the benefit of the children.

I have also worked with the Local Authority to, Head Teacher and Governors to achieve a balanced budget.

Douglas Mather (Vice Chair of Governors)

I volunteer as the Secretary of the Durham light Infantry Association (South Shields Branch), this entails the day to day administrators and record keeping of the branch.

I am also on the executive committee of the D.L.I. Association which meets in Durham City. This committee runs the D.L.I. Association throughout the North East of England.

I also volunteer as a member of the Scrutiny Panel of South Tyneside Homes. The Panel scrutinise the services that South Tyneside Homes provide to the tenants of South Tyneside Council.

As the Secretary of ‘The Friends of the West Park, South Shields’, I maintain the minutes of all meetings also the financial records and the daily running of this group of volunteers.

Cllr Anne Hetherington (LEA Governor)

I have been associated with Stanhope Primary School since 1977 and joined the Governing Body shortly after that firstly as a Parent Governor, and then as a co-opted member and now LEA Governor.

I am passionate about Stanhope and will continue to strive with my colleagues and the staff to make sure all our children reach their full potential and feel safe and happy during their time with us.

Harriet Judd (Co-opted Governor)

I have been a governor at Stanhope Primary School since 2015 whilst my daughter was here in year 3.  I was here initially for 4 years as a parent governor and then stayed on as a co-opted governor ever since.  I have worked at Northumbrian Water since 1999 and have been lucky to have a variety of roles there. I bring lots of experience in data analysis, people management, asset management, health & safety and even workplace mediation.

I had no previous experience as a governor but I am still enjoying the challenge of development and learning from the training courses that have been provided by the council and school. For example, these courses have enabled me to understand what is expected of a governor and how a school should adhere to policies and run effectively.  I feel that as a governor I can cast an independent eye over the workings of the school for example, through my link visits and I can bring additional challenge to decisions made within the governors meetings.

I am very proud to be a governor here and just like every parent at Stanhope Primary School, I want the very best for our children and I can always bring a parents perspective to every meeting. I feel it is important that every child at Stanhope is happy, safe, confident and strive to become the very best they can be. As parents and associates of the school we need to support it in its journey to become outstanding and when necessary we should also put the school under tough challenge. I am not shy to ask difficult questions and I am able to speak out and up for what is important.

I’m always happy to have a chat so if you see me around and want to ask me anything, feel free (alternatively you can contact me via the school office).

Abbi Adair (Safeguarding Link Governor) 

I have been a co-opted Governor since the summer of 2016.  I work as a children’s social worker for a North East children’s services, and have worked there for 17 years in a number of different social work roles.  I bring lots of experience in child safeguarding, people management, conflict management, multi-agency working, risk assessment and prioritising the needs of vulnerable children.  As the safeguarding link governor I have worked with the school to ensure policies are up to date with the latest guidance, and provide updates to governors at termly meetings.

The school and council continues to provide me with the opportunity to attend a wide range of training courses which supports my understanding of what is expected of me in my role as governor, and what policies the school must adhere to, to run effectively.  I am proud to be a governor of Stanhope Primary School, and want to strive to ensure every child who attends is safe, happy, and enabled to develop their full potential. In order to do this, I feel it is essential to support the school in its journey to become outstanding.  I encourage and welcome anyone who would like to ask me anything, to contact me via the school office.

Angie Ali (Staff Governor) 

Special Education and Inclusive Learning

A Quick Guide to Completing a School Leadership Application & Personal Statement

Writing a school leadership application that will get you an interview.

Completing a school leadership personal statement and application form can be a daunting task. With time invested in preparation and attention to detail, you can increase your chances of being selected for the role. I recommend signing up to the Key for School Leaders for insights into leadership responsibilities. Investing time in purposefully clarifying why you want to apply for a school leadership position will not be wasted. If you are stuck for ideas on your achievements read through the DfE Headteachers standards and try and come up with an example of how you meet each one.

5 top tips for completing Headteacher application forms & Personal Statements:

• Follow the instructions carefully: Make sure to read the instructions and requirements for the application thoroughly and follow them closely. This includes following any formatting or word count guidelines.
• Use concrete examples: When answering questions or writing your statement, use specific examples to illustrate your points. This helps the shortlisting team better understand your skills and experiences and how they relate to the role. Were possible link the points in your personal statement with the person specification – in order.
• Proofread and edit: Make sure to proofread your application for spelling and grammar errors. Ask a friend or colleague review your application as well.
• Tailor your application to the role: Customise your application to the specific school and leadership role you are applying for. Research the school and consider how your skills and experiences align with their needs and goals. Quote their values .
• Be honest and authentic: Be genuine in your responses and don’t exaggerate or fabricate experiences. It is better to focus on a key accomplishments in depth rather than trying to cover too much ground.

Secret Tip 1: It will be the school governors/academy trustees leading on this process. Even a deputy headteacher position will have governor involvement.

Secret Tip 2: If you can find the school development plan on the website include any of your strengths or previous projects that could support this.

For more information on school leadership recruitment take a look at our post on Headteacher and SLT interview questions . We have also written about how to approach the challenge of a student panel interview.

Example Personal Statements.

Brevity and clarity are key here. Hit those person specification points within the restrictions set. Some jobs ask for 1 page of A4 for example. I suggest a maximum of 4 sides carefully spaced and formatted to ease reading. The personal statement examples below are to prompt your ideas only. The more senior the position the more detail will need adding. For each paragraph I recommend adding at least 1 example from your own experience.

Leadership Personal Statement Example 1:

As an experienced educator with a passion for inclusion, I am excited to apply for the position of Special School Headteacher. I have dedicated my career to supporting students with autism and other special educational needs, and I am committed to creating a safe and nurturing environment where all students can thrive.

Throughout my career, I have developed a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by students with autism , including sensory sensitivities, communication difficulties , and struggles with emotional regulation . I believe that creating a safe and supportive environment is essential for helping students to succeed, and I have worked hard to develop strategies and programs that support their specific needs.

I am committed to safeguarding and have a thorough understanding of “ Keeping Children Safe in Education 2022 “. My mission has been to build a culture of vigilance and proactive measures to safeguard students from harm, abuse, and exploitation. I am committed to ensuring that all staff members are trained and equipped with the knowledge and skills to safeguard and protect our students.

I am particularly proud of my inclusive ethos , which emphasises the importance of creating an environment where all students feel valued, respected, and supported. It is essential to believe that inclusion is not just about meeting the needs of students with special educational needs, but about creating a school culture that celebrates diversity and promotes equity for all.

In my previous roles, I have developed strong budget management skills and strategic level management of large staff teams. I am confident in my ability to lead and manage a team of educators, creating a positive and supportive work environment that encourages professional growth and development.

While I have achieved many successes in my career, I recognise that there is always room for growth and improvement. That is why I value the opportunity to work with a coach to help me identify areas for development and improve my leadership skills. I believe that coaching can help me to become a more effective leader, better equipped to meet the needs of my students and staff.

Overall, I am excited about the opportunity to join your team and to continue making a positive impact in the lives of students with special educational needs. I am confident that my experience, skills, and commitment to inclusion and safeguarding make me an excellent fit for the position of Special School Headteacher. Thank you for considering my application.

Leadership Personal Statement Example 2:

As an Assistant Headteacher with 14 years of experience as a special school teacher, I am motivated to take on a leadership role in a school that aligns with my values of inclusivity and continual improvement. My commitment to teaching excellence is evidenced by positive feedback and a broad range of teaching experience with a hands-on and empathetic approach to creating a learning environment .

Throughout my career, I have been involved with continuing professional development (CPD) initiatives and have placed significant emphasis on encouraging staff to participate. I have also monitored pupil achievement and have created assessment tracking systems to improve attainment levels. Responding to budgetary demands as a middle leader, I have focused on maximising value to invest in my areas of responsibility, including communal and outside areas, to ensure an optimal learning environment.

My sensitivity to social and cultural diversity has led me to foster an open and inclusive environment that embraces my pupils’ backgrounds. I work to maintain positive dialogue with parents and to support groups such as EAL and SEN pupils. I believe that developing initiatives to address the links between social background and attainment is essential for school leadership. To achieve this I believe in making strong links with the local community .

As a leader of a large staff team, I value consultation processes and personal insights of staff members when leading a team. I am eager to involve middle leaders in initiatives aimed at improving the school’s performance. As per the DFE policy, I prioritise the safeguarding of pupils and have overseen child protection in my current role.

Leadership Personal Statement Example 3:

As an educator, I firmly believe that setting high expectations for pupils is essential to their success. In my experience, when students are challenged and held to a high standard, they rise to the occasion and achieve more than they ever thought possible. As a teacher, I strive to be an excellent practitioner by embodying this belief and consistently setting high expectations for my pupils.

One way that I have demonstrated my commitment to high expectations is through my work as a Middle Leader. Over the years, I have led both year groups and core subjects, and in both roles, I have been able to make a significant impact on the school community. Through my leadership, I have worked to ensure that my team of teachers shares my belief in high expectations, and that they are equipped with the tools and support they need to deliver challenging and engaging lessons. By working collaboratively with my team, I have been able to ensure that our pupils are consistently challenged, inspired, and motivated to achieve their very best.

Another area where I have excelled as an educator is in my approaches to curriculum implementation. I believe that every subject is essential and that every subject deserves to be championed. To this end, I have worked to ensure that my subject area is given the time, resources, and attention it deserves. By collaborating with other teachers and leaders, I have been able to share my passion for my subject and help others to see its value and importance. Through this approach, I have been able to champion my subject area effectively, ensuring that it is seen as an essential part of the school curriculum.

Being flexible and resilient are also key attributes for any successful educator. In my experience, the ability to adapt and respond to changing circumstances is essential to providing a high-quality education. Whether it’s adjusting to new teaching methods, dealing with unexpected challenges, or accommodating the diverse needs of pupils, being flexible and resilient is essential to success. I have developed these skills over time, and I am always willing to embrace change and try new approaches to teaching and learning.

Finally, I believe that a successful educator should make a contribution to the wider life of the school and community. As an educator, I am committed to going the “extra mile” for my pupils and their families, and I believe that this extends beyond the classroom. Whether it’s participating in extracurricular activities, attending school events, or volunteering in the community, I am always willing to do what it takes to support my pupils and their families.

In conclusion, as an educator, I strive to be an excellent practitioner with high expectations of my pupils. Through my work as a Middle Leader, my successful approaches to curriculum implementation, and my flexibility and resilience, I have demonstrated my commitment to providing a high-quality education. Furthermore, by making a contribution to the wider life of the school and community, I believe that I can make a positive difference in the lives of my pupils and their families. I am excited about the opportunity to continue growing and developing as an educator and to make a positive impact on the lives of my pupils.

Final Points

Remember a personal statement is – Personal to you! It is a chance to tell the panel shortlisting about yourself. If you want to gain an insight into their values try to look up the current headteacher and any governors on LinkedIn. There may be interests you have in common. The personal statement forms part of your application and may tick boxes that the interview doesn’t cover. The panel will also most likely ask questions based on what you have said in the form so be ready with examples.

Please share if you enjoyed this post.

Similar posts.

Stranger Things quotes for teachers.

Sometimes things in the world get a little too much. Time for another quote based post This time from Stranger Things.

Easter Learning Games: 3 Great Toys

Easter Learning Games and Activities for EYFS/SEND Children Easter learning games and resources are great for use in several…

How To Teach Children To Wait

Waiting: Strategies for use at home & school Waiting can be a challenge for many children. As a teacher…

Friendship and Autism: A Case Study.

Autism and the barriers to friendship This is a situation that occurred a while ago and now both students…

NPQSL: Final Project

I want to share my project. Examples online are few and far between. I have had to redact some parts and evidence for obvious reasons and being an SEN provision my focus is unlikely to be the same but I hope the content and style should give you some pointers. All I ask is that you take the time to share Inclusiveteach.com with your colleagues.

Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR): How to Help Children who have Retained this Reflex

What is the Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR)? The tonic labyrinthine reflex (TLR) is one of several infant reflexes that…

One Comment

• Pingback: Imposter Syndrome in Education and Leadership and tips to try to reduce it

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Discover more from Special Education and Inclusive Learning

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Type your email…

Continue reading

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Understanding the Parent Governor Role From an Experienced School Governor

Have you ever wondered how you can be more actively involved in your children’s school and education? The parent governor role is vital in schools and can also be really worthwhile and make a positive contribution to the community. Read on to find out more about becoming a school governor and the impact that it can have.

Sending our children to school is such a big milestone to reach. For them and also for us as parents. They start a new chapter in their lives and one that you are less involved with. All schools are different and are now run in different ways with some being part of multi-academy trusts and others still not. Some schools will have apps and websites where updates and pictures are uploaded, some don’t have anything and you rely on your child telling you what is going on.

As parents we can feel lost in the school education system and becoming a school governor can be a positive way of giving back to the school and community whilst being actively involved in the school.

Nurseries and PTA’s

Private nurseries and childcare give you a chance to have a full rundown of what is happening, so the school can feel like you are totally out of the loop. Many parents like the idea of joining a PTA where they can help raise funds for the school and develop a great relationship between themselves and the school.

However, some schools don’t have a PTA, so what other options do you have to be involved with your school and make a real difference? This is where you might want to consider becoming one of the parent governors who work closely with the senior leadership team.

So what is a parent governor?

The definition of a parent governor is a person who is elected to become part of the governing board of a school where their child is in attendance at the time of election. They are voted in by parents of children who are registered and attend the school. You can become a parent governor in a primary or secondary school. Governors can come from all walks of life and they provide a variety of skills and experience to the governing board, which ultimately has a positive impact on the school. 

I have been a parent governor for about six years at my local primary school, I started off as a parent governor when I left teaching. I knew I had a great deal of value to offer the school and wanted to continue to make a difference in children’s lives in an educational setting and be active in school life. School governor is an important role and in this post, I’ll share my experience as a current parent governor alongside the legal requirements for taking up a parent governor role.

The governing body is made up of a number of representatives including a staff governor, the head teacher, parent governors and those who come because they have a specific skill set that the governing body needs. There is a clerk who takes the minutes , as the board meetings are a legal requirement.

If you like the idea of becoming a parent governor you may be wondering what is involved and how you go about being elected. It isn’t just as simple as calling up the school office and asking for a place on the governing board, there are processes in place. You also might want to ensure that the role is right for you, after all, it is a voluntary position that requires a fair bit of commitment.

So here is a complete rundown of what is involved in becoming a parent governor and how you go about becoming a candidate and being elected. 

You do need to be aware of the expectations around behaviour, for example, you will know confidential information and therefore you will follow a code of conduct.

What does a parent school governor do?

First of all, it is important to understand what is involved in the role of the parent governor. You may not realise that there is a requirement of your time to attend and participate in regular meetings, and also it is a voluntary role. When you apply to become a governor, you are making a commitment to attend those meetings and complete paperwork and analysis of processes and things going on in the school. You may also be asked to be part of specific committees where you are responsible for areas in the school such as finances, curriculum, safeguarding, and SEND.

It is important to recognise that this is an active role and your term of office runs for three years initially, although it is common to stay longer if you are enjoying the role. There may be training involved as well so that you understand the responsibilities. Some schools suggest that it is volunteering 20 hours of your time over the full school year, although to be actively involved is probably more than this! However, each school will have different requirements and expectations, so speak directly to your school if you are considering this. 

How do you go about becoming a candidate?

So how do you become a parent governor? It isn’t just as easy as calling up the school and asking to be appointed. You need to wait until there is a position available which can occur at any point in the academic year. Governing boards usually have 2-4 parent governor positions, so there aren’t too many but they approach things from a parent’s viewpoint. However, the truth is, not every parent wants to take on the role or the responsibility, so it may not be as popular as you might expect.

Once the school has advertised there is a position available you can enquire to fill out the application form to become a candidate. If there is more than one position and more than one candidate, you may find that it then goes to a vote. 

The local authority also recruits governors for schools – many businesses will encourage their staff to take up voluntary work and will even give paid time for staff to carry out their voluntary work. Have a look on your local authority job board for vacancies. I know my own children’s schools often are looking!

Filling out the application form and writing that personal statement 

The application form is relatively straightforward. You will need to put forward your full name, address details, and contact number. You may also need to commit to the time they are requiring and stating, so make sure you can do this before submitting your application. Within the application, you will need to write a personal statement that the whole school community will read. These don’t need to be too long, and your school may ask you to stay within a word count of around 150 words.

But this is your opportunity to share your experience, any special qualifications, why you will be a valuable and effective school governor, and also why you want it and how you will make a positive contribution.

Remember, if it does go to a vote, this personal statement will be what the parents read to vote for you, so keep that in mind. Keep it short, direct, and straight to the point. You want to cover who you are and your experience, but also why you care for the school and your reasons why. 

What if it goes to a vote?

So what if it goes to a vote? This can be the nerve-wracking part as you now are in the hands of the parent community. While there is no expectation for you to go canvassing for votes, speaking to the parents you are friendly with is a good idea. Letting them know it is you that has applied is also beneficial. Then it is down to a secret ballot. The school will likely give it a few weeks for the votes to come in and then if you do get the most then you will be appointed to the role of the parent governor.

Once you are voted in, what next?

If your parent governor application went to a vote and you have become successful in securing a place on the governing board you might be wondering what next? There are a few things that you will need to do once you are elected. There will be training involved that is delivered by the local authority and things you will need to complete before you may even be part of a governing board meeting.

There is a lot of information, and you may even be placed on specific committees which take care of certain areas of the school such as curriculum, finances, health and safety, etc. This is usually decided after a conversation about your preferences and what is needed for the school community.

At this point, you may have a conversation with the headteacher of the school and the chair of governors to find out more about you and how you can help the school move forward with the school improvement plan and its strategic direction.

For example, if you come from a finance background you may be asked to sit on the finance committee, if you come from an educational or teaching background you may find you are best suited to a standards and achievement role. Becoming a parent governor is a really important contribution to the school, you will have a parent’s perspective and this is important and valid.

But what does a school governor actually do?

The parent governor role will include a number of responsibilities, in the past, it has been described as a critical friend to the headteacher. However it is more than that, essentially you are monitoring the educational provision at the school and ensuring that it is robust and supports the learning of all pupils.

In my experience as a school governor, I sit on the full governing body meetings and also the standards and achievement committee but the real work comes in supporting the teachers strategically. As governors we don’t get involved in the day to day running of the school, that is the senior leader’s responsibility but we meet termly with the teachers we are linked to in order to ask questions about their area of responsibility.

For example, I lead on pupil premium and SEND therefore I also have meetings to look at the data and provision for those students. This can include observing them in the classroom, looking at their books, discussing the intervention and policies in place to support their learning, even talking to the children about their experiences of school.

I also have meetings with local authority representatives and spoke to Ofsted during a recent inspection on specific issues that I have responsibility for. If there is ever an appeal to a decision that the headteacher has made maybe about an exclusion or a behavioural issue governors can also be asked to make up an appeals panel along with a couple of fellow governors to ensure that the policy has been followed appropriately. This is an interesting part of the parent governor role and

The parent governor role is a vital role in the local community as we have a collective responsibility for the education of children. School governors help drive continuous improvement and look the best outcomes for a child learning.

Once you have gone through the basic training you then just need to be on hand to attend meetings and complete paperwork. Remember, you have been elected to be there, so always speak out if you have an opinion on something, and offer your expertise. After all, this is to help the school thrive, and will ultimately help your children and young people in the long term. 

What you get from the parent-governor role

Being a parent governor has given me new skills and helped me understand the ethos of the school. It is a great way to get involved and work in the best interests of the school and child. It also offers great career opportunities for the individual as you can use this on your CV to show your wealth of experience in the wider community and it demonstrates a number of important qualities that you hold.

Hopefully, this guide will help you to become a parent governor in the school your child attends if not maybe there is another way that you can get involved in your child’s school life .

Related posts:

Sharing is caring!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Sharing is Caring

Help spread the word. You're awesome for doing it!

• old website content

Election of parent governor

Dear Parent/ Carer

The role of a school governor is extremely important and many essential decisions about this school are taken by our Governing Board.  School governors work together with the school leadership team to continually improve the education for every child at our school. 

I have received nominations from six parents who are willing to become school governors.  I hope you will vote in the election to select one parent governor. The parent elected by you will serve as a parent governor for four years.

Please read the personal statements carefully and bearing in mind the role of the school governor, choose the candidate you feel would be best suited to the position.  

Parent Governor Election Voting Instructions

Voting will close on Wednesday 21 October 2020.

In the event of a tie the returning officer will decide the election by the drawing of lots.

Votes will be counted on Wednesday 21st October 2020 the result will be announced by Thursday, 22nd October on the website and in the school newsletter.

 I hope you will participate,  the governing body plays a key role in keeping our children safe, supporting and holding leaders to account.

Please scroll down to read all SIX statements and at the end of the statements you will find the form where you can select our preferred candidate. 

Yours sincerely

Julie Newman

Clerk to Governing Body and Returning Officer

Candidates’ personal statements 

Personal statement for sabaa asim aslam.

What Can I say in a short snap that would make you think…Vote for her!

Like you, I have a child at West Thornton and am still trying to measure the impact this last year has had on my child’s learning and wellbeing.

As we adapt to the ‘new normal’ its fundamental the ongoing changes have a positive impact on the school environment. That means supporting new initiatives for progression, but also retaining consistency with what already works, to reduce the chance of overwhelming our children.

I’ve worked in higher education for nearly 10 years, & currently the treasurer of the PTA. If I’m voted parent governor for WT, I will endeavour to curate new ways of collaboration and cohesion between parents & teachers…because now more than ever we must work together!

Come and talk to me if you find me, I’d love to hear from you.

Personal statement for Rohina Ibrahim Aziz

I am looking to gain a career in this field. I have 3 children & have also brought all my nieces up which is where my passion comes from. I have the preamble skills to work as a part of a team and work on my own, I would love to see the school develop, as well as the kids’ curriculum and changes for the best.

Having kids of my own has made me realise the importance of being a role model.  Being young I feel I can relate to children at all ages and have more of an understanding of how kids are in this day and age. I would appreciate it if I could have the opportunity to put my skills into action and show we can all work together for the best, especially with how much disruption all our kids have been through this year with Covid.

Personal statement for Suregah Balachandran

Education is one of the best foundations that any child can receive in their lifetime. Being a full time working mum with two children, I am truly passionate and have a desire to ensure that every child gets the best possible education and opportunity to succeed in life. During schooling year, I myself had an opportunity to be nominated as senior student representative and have gained vast experience in attending regular meetings with governors, teachers and parents and was responsible for planning and leading meetings to communicate the vision of the society with local council.

If successfully nominated as a parent governor, I promise to fully support the school needs during the transition to Inspire Partnership Trust. I will take an approach to raise questions and challenge not only to achieve targets for every child but to also continuously strive to exceed to give the children a good learning experience.

Personal statement for Maria Chiara D’Argenio

I would like to become a Governor because I am passionate about education and because I want parents to play a more active role in supporting West Thornton Academy. I am a teacher and lecturer, and the mum of Fabrizio and Arianna, both attending the school. My primary aim as a Governor would be to follow closely the changes the school is undergoing and promote a new relationship between the school and the parents. Given the current circumstances, it is crucial that all of us parents are supportive interlocutors of the school and voice our suggestions and concerns. I have already been quite active in this. Thanks to my feedback on the zoom lessons and my formal letter to the leaders regarding the September closure, the school changed its initial decisions; this is a sign that parents’ proactive and constructive attitude can be beneficial for the school and our children.

Personal statement for Cherise McDonald

My daughter is currently in year 2 at Canterbury Road. I work full time as a co-director at an estate agency, as well running my own cleaning business. I gained experience in working as a team, supporting others, and being involved in monitoring the standards of staff for the team to succeed hopefully being a transferrable skill to monitoring the governing board.

I would like to be a parent governor I have a strong belief in giving all children the maximum opportunity to discover their full potential through education as well as extra curriculum activities, whatever their background.

I now have the time to devote my skills to an area I feel passionate about with the required commitment and enthusiasm  as well as being prepared to learn new skills I would like to be given a chance to help develop West Thornton at such a crucial turning point.

Personal statement for Sarah Mckenzie

I would like to be elected as a West Thornton Primary School Governor to offer my unique skills and insight and help steer the direction of the school for years to come. 

I am a dedicated Civil Servant currently delivering the school values in my professional life. I have extensive experience working with schools as a Pastoral Lead, Social Services supporting Looked After young people and Charities working to send at risk children to summer camps, children that would not have been able to have a holiday otherwise. I strive to improve the opportunities of children and young people believing engagement between home and school is invaluable. 

My daughter has recently started reception here and I have another in nursery eager to follow so I have a vested interest in supporting the school to provide an excellent and well-rounded education for all pupils (both present and those still to come).

Complete the form on the link below  and select the button against the name of the candidate for whom you wish to vote

• Election letter

This site uses cookies to store information on your computer. Click here for more information Allow Cookies Deny Cookies

Inspiring Governance

Please select if you would like to get involved independently as a volunteer:

Volunteers register here

Or if wanting to sign up on behalf of your organisation as an employer:

Employers register here

Or if you are seeking governors on behalf of a school:

To find governors for your school - register here

Or if you are seeking governors or trustees on behalf of multiple schools:

To find governors for multiple schools - register here

Step-by-Step Guide to Becoming a School Governor

You’ve decided that you want to be a school governor or trustee, but what does the recruitment process entail?

Here is our helpful step-by-step guide to the process of becoming a school governor or trustee.

Step One: Signing Up

You’ve already taken the most important first step by signing up to Inspiring Governance .  To stand the best chance of being selected, please make sure that your profile is complete.  Your profile can then be seen by local schools and colleges who are looking for new recruits.  The more information you provide, the more likely you are to catch the eye of someone looking for new governors.

Step Two: Contact with the school

If your profile fits the bill of what a recruiter is looking for, they will contact you through the website and you will receive an email.  You can accept or decline the invitation or ask for more information.  Accepting the invitation just means that you are interested in finding out more about the role.

Alternatively, you can be proactive and view governor vacancies near you, then express an interest in those about which you want to know more.

Step Three: Recruitment

Think of becoming a governor like finding a new job – it will take some time.

To begin with, it is likely you will be invited to have an informal conversation, either on the phone or in person.  The exact recruitment process varies from school to school.  There may be a formal interview and it is recommended that you visit the school to see it in action.  Remember the governor role needs to be the right fit for both you and the school.

Step Four: Board ratification

Once you are recommended for appointment, your application will need to be ratified by the governing board or other body (depending on the type of governor role).  This is usually a formality.  If you decide to accept the governor or trustee position, you will be required to undertake an Enhanced DBS check. The school or trust will normally organise this for you.  Then it’s time to attend your first governing body meeting!

Want to get the ball rolling?  Why not sign in today and express an interest for a position in your area? www.inspiringgovernance.org

How to Apply to be a School Governor: 16 Key Things You Need to Know

Governors for schools play a vital role in organisational and educational development. While the school governor role is voluntary, it requires commitment, dedication and a vested interest in the long-term success of all pupils, as well as the school itself.

If you’re considering applying to become a school governor, are new in your role or you're just looking for some fresh thinking around the impact you can have as a governor for your school, we have put together the key things that are vital for your consideration and understanding.

The Basics of School Governance

The Skills Required to Be an Effective School Governor

The Next Steps for Becoming a School Governor

1. All governing boards have three core requirements , so ensure you understand these as the key components that make up your role:

a) Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction. b) Holding executive leaders to account for the educational performance of the organisation, its pupils and the effective and efficient performance management of staff. c) Overseeing the financial performance of the organisation and making sure its money is well spent.

2. A governor is a voluntary role you’ll need to fit in and around your wider commitments, so you need to dedicate the time to attend regular meetings and execute action points where necessary. Don’t be afraid to ask the senior leadership team for more details on the specific time commitments during the recruitment process, to make sure this role is right for you.

3. Familiarise yourself with the DBS checks that will be required of you for you to take on this role.

4. All governors should contribute to each meeting. Make sure you prepare by reading the agenda circulated in advance and offer solutions and opinions to key issues up for discussion. While specific governors may have themes they specialise in or lead on, the more board members that can input into the discussion, the better.

5. If you have an issue you’d like to discuss at the meeting, make sure you submit it in advance so it's added to the agenda and everyone has time to prepare. If you're a parent governor and would like to discuss an issue relating to your child, you shouldn't discuss this at the governors meeting but instead, in a one-to-one meeting between you and an appropriate member of staff.

6. The board of governors plays a vital role in building relationships , not only within the school but also between the school, parents, carers, pupils, the local community as well as the local authority and employers. Think about how you can help facilitate this; considering your position as a parent or local community member, how would you like to see interaction with the school improved? This is something to consider ahead of your interview in terms of how it may fit into your motivations for applying.

7. Different types of schools have different governance structures and that may alter how your role fits in with wider school plans. Are you looking to join a maintained school, single or multi-academy trust or a free school? Research your prospective school’s structure and the expectations of a governor in this context so you’re as prepared as possible.

8. School governors need an analytical eye. You'll need to find out how to measure impact and how to monitor this in the short and long-term. To understand the effects of new initiatives, work with the governing board and senior leadership team to ensure an evaluation structure is in place and agree on how often you and your colleagues will review progress. Regular audits by governors will push leadership, staff and pupils to strive for better .

9. Remember, you’re not only examining educational quality for pupils but also looking at their wellbeing, behaviour and attendance. This will require empathy , an adequate understanding of different personal contexts and engagement with parents and carers.

10. The role of a governor for a school is a strategic one, as opposed to an operational function which the senior leadership team executes. Make sure you're clear on this and understand the higher-level thinking you'll need as a governor, rather than the implementation of new initiatives within the day-to-day running of the school. If you're preparing for an interview for a school governor role, think about how you can demonstrate experience of successful strategy development.

11. Governors for schools must be prepared to challenge the senior leadership if the partnership is to be effective. This means questioning decisions, outcomes and identifying where improvements can be made. It might lead to having tough conversations which are vital for the school’s progress, so you must be comfortable with this.

12. The school governor role requires you to have a broad-ranging understanding of and appreciation for the consequences of decisions made by the board and those made in collaboration with the leadership team. When evaluating initiatives and challenging new proposals, you must have the ability to consider what decisions will mean for staff, pupils, the short- and long- term budget, curriculum planning and recruitment.

13. As a school governor, you'll need to adhere to the Seven Principles of Public Life, including objectivity and accountability. Be sure to familiarise yourself with these before embarking on the role.

14. The National Governors Association (NGA) also outlines the Eight Elements of Effective Governance . These include quality chairing and good relationships based on trust and are elements you can continually explore and review throughout your time as a governor.

15. A good place to start thinking about what you can bring to the table is by reading the latest Ofsted or ISI report and School Improvement Plan for your prospective or current school. Also, make notes on questions, such as:

a) According to the latest inspection, which areas does the school need to improve?

b) What does the school do well that it could improve on across more year groups?

c) How has the school built the inspection recommendations into its School Improvement Plan?

d) How effective have recent School Improvement Plans been and what ideas do you have for how the school could improve the next one?

17.  Preparing for a governor interview already? Take a look at the questions you’re likely to be asked by the interview panel here .

If you want to be a successful school governor and leave a lasting impact, it's essential you keep up-to-date with the most effective solutions to help raise standards of education in your school. To learn more about effective governance and leadership strategies, why not meet with experts by booking your place on a conference dedicated to the subject?

Related posts

Exploring Knowledge in the National English Curriculum

Podcast | Season 1 | Episode 22: Procurement Hints & Tips

Podcast | Season 1 | Episode 17: Pupil Behaviour in Schools

404 Not found

• Skip to main content
• Skip to main navigation
• Skip to search
• Skip to talk navigation

Advertisement

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

Primary education

Help me with my application to be school governor please.

suwoo · 08/05/2011 20:50

I will be honest from the outset... I want to apply to boost my own CV for when it comes to me applying for the GTP in two years time. If the GTP doesn't exist then as is rumoured I will take whichever route is available to become a secondary English teacher. It is so competitive these days so I want as much on my CV to set me apart from my competitors. I have school placements and voluntary work lined up but being a school governor (albeit primary) would be the icing on the cake. I will be ringing the head tomorrow (she knows me as a mother who is interested in her dc's education). What sort of things should I be saying? Thanks

Is it a parent governor post?

Bump please.

You'll probably need to get voted on, if there is more than one nominee. Have you asked some parents to nominate you? You'll need to gear your personal statement towards gaining the parental vote, so say what they want to hear. Having said that, do remember though that as a Parent Governor you won't be at the meetings as a parent rep. You will be expected to take on roles and responsibilities, help make decisions etc without canvassing parental opinions. My DH is a parent governor and there are quite a few meetings and lots of reading to do.

Is it a recent vacancy? If it is one that the school has tried to fill previously without success then the Head may be very glad of your offer. The Head will be looking for someone who can commit to meetings. You will most likely be asked to sit on a governor committee as well as the main governing body. These committees cover areas such as the curriculum, finance, premises, personnel, health and safety etc. If you have experience in any of these areas let the Head know when you speak. Good Luck

It's not the heads decision. If there are more applicants than positions the parents vote, else you're automatically elected. Parents who know you will vote for you. Parents who don't know you but know the other candidate will vote for them. And parents who know neither of you will either not vote or decide on some arbitrary criteria. So don't sweat it. Put down the normal stuff about caring very much about the school and your childrens education, and then just hope things go your way.

it depends id anyone else wants to do it, if they dont then you automatically will et the spot.

IIRC there were 5 or 6 candidates the last time there was an 'election' so it stands a chance there may be similar. I have 3 DC and work in the community so am fairly well known by the other parents. Thanks for all the advice so far.

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

We have sponsored GTP students for the past few years. This really would have made no difference to their application. Don't know whether it would make a difference to the training partnership.

I think as a governor you need to show that you are interested in all the children's education. I'd have a think about the children who are not like your own, and how the school works with and for them too.

BeerTricksPotter- exactly. Thats why I am asking what I can say as my genuine reasons are detailed in the OP. I would, if elected, do a grand job though. I don't do things by halves. Thanks for that AnnieBesant, what sort of things would support an application?

Ive been to see the Head this morning and I have the forms. I am really excited about it now, and would really love to be elected. Now I am at uni and have some spare time seems perfect. Any tips as to what to put in the teeny box for my personal statement? I have three children at (and due to be at) the school, I am active in the local community. I have a strong interest in the curriculum. What else?

Remember that you would be there to be a representative parent, not to be a representative of parents. What you have said so far sounds good, but Annie Besant is right - you shouldn't be doing this to further your own children's education (that sort of interest is better promoted through the PFA) and need to make it clear that you're doing this for the school . Mention any skills that you could bring to the governing body - have you got experience of finance or HR, for example? General organisational ability? The governing body has many responsibilities in law and does serious work, so you need to show that you appreciate that it is not just a talking shop and you will bring appropriate expertise to it.

Thats very useful thank you. Yes to organisational skills and some financial and tenuous HR skills. Thanks for the reminder, that I am doing it for the school, I will keep that at the forefront of my mind. The governers were rated as outstanding in the Ofsted inspection (the school was put into special measures- but is now good with some outstanding features twelve months later) so the Head understandably wants to maintain this standard. What about my passion for literacy within the curriculum? It is a tiny box to fill in- like maybe 30 words or something. It needs to be concise and effective.

Yes, I'd mention your interest in literacy and also say how you will make a personal contribution to raising standards and the continuing improvement of the school.

I am a parent governor, and had to fill in that teeny tiny box - getting it short enough was hard! I would put your passions down, how you feel about the school/the children, your links to the community. Skills too, but IME (suppose it depends on the school and the parents thereof) people voted more for genuine passion to help the school than they did for shiny CVs. Also, are you involved in the school in some way already? PTA, or reading with the kids? Those count for a lot too, as they show (as oppose to 'tell') commitment to the cause! Good luck, both with your application and your future GTP app.

You have an interesting dilemma here. If you say you have a passion for literacy then is that of interest to parents generally? It certainly will be to the head and to the rest of the staff who potentially will think that you are wanting to change everything to do with literacy in the school. Add in then that you are at uni, doing english and want to be a teacher and I think that you are shooting yourself in the foot with your application. A governors role is strategic, it is not operational, and therefore you should, to me, be concentrating on saying 3 children at school, want to help the GB continue to ensure that the school moves to outstanding and your commitment to the local community.

Great, thank you, Admission. I assume GB stands for governors board? You just scared me to death as they are the Head's initials. I thought you knew me!

Include the skills and talents you can bring to the school. ... your ?deep and abiding interest in all aspects of Education?. ... If you are involved with the PTA then include it Also, I would include something like ?because my youngest child is ?x?yrs old I?m going to be involved in the school for the next ?x? years?. Parents are reluctant to vote for someone whose youngest child is in the last (on next to last) year because they?ll leave after a short time. You should think of the Governor meetings as meetings that you MUST attend and arrange your social life around them. You should attend the training sessions that your Local Authority provides. School Governors are the biggest volunteer organisation in the UK. We estimate that it takes up about 35hrs per year although, of course, it depends on how involved you want to be. Good Luck

Don’t want to miss threads like this?

Sign up to our weekly round up and get all the best threads sent straight to your inbox!

Log in to update your newsletter preferences.

You've subscribed!

Good luck with your application. If you are unsuccessful, you could talk to the Head about joining the governing body as a co-opted governor. Our school has a couple of these, and as far as I know, the only practical difference between the elected and the co-opted, is that the co-opted governors are not able to vote - but can still have their say on a topic before the vote! However, I am willing to be corrected on this?

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

• Top Courses
• Online Degrees
• Find your New Career
• Join for Free

How to Write a Personal Statement

A personal statement can be a key part of your college application, and you can really make yours shine by following a few tips.

When you're applying to college—either to an undergraduate or graduate program—you may be asked to submit a personal statement. It's an essay that gives you the chance to share more about who you are and why you'd like to attend the university you're applying to.  

The information you provide in your personal statement can help build on your other application materials, like your transcripts and letters of recommendation, and build a more cohesive picture to help the admissions committee understand your goals.

In this article, we'll go over more about personal statements, including why they're important, what to include in one, and tips for strengthening yours.

What is a personal statement?

A personal statement—sometimes known as a college essay —is a brief written essay you submit with other materials when applying to college or university. Personal statements tend to be most common for undergraduate applications, and they're a great opportunity for an admissions committee to hear your voice directly.

Many colleges and universities in the US, especially those using Common App , provide prompts for you to use. For example, "Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea" or "Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time" [ 1 ]. If the school you're interested in attending doesn't require prompts, you will likely want to craft a response that touches on your story, your values, and your goals if possible.

In grad school, personal statements are sometimes known as letters of intent , and go into more detail about your academic and professional background, while expressing interest in attending the particular program you're applying to.

Why is a personal statement important?

Personal statements are important for a number of reasons. Whereas other materials you submit in an application can address your academic abilities (like your transcripts) or how you perform as a student (like your letters of recommendation), a personal statement is a chance to do exactly that: get more personal.

Personal statements typically:

Permit you to share things that don't fit on your resume, such as personal stories, motivations, and values

Offer schools a chance to see why you're interested in a particular field of study and what you hope to accomplish after you graduate 

Provide an opportunity for you to talk about past employment, volunteer experiences, or skills you have that complement your studies 

Allow colleges to evaluate your writing skills 

Bring life to a college application package otherwise filled with facts and figures 

Build job-ready skills with a Coursera Plus subscription

• Get access to 7,000+ learning programs from world-class universities and companies, including Google, Yale, Salesforce, and more
• Try different courses and find your best fit at no additional cost
• Earn certificates for learning programs you complete
• A subscription price of $59/month, cancel anytime

How to write a personal statement.

As we mentioned earlier, you may have to respond to a prompt when drafting your personal statement—or a college or university may invite you to respond however you'd like. In either case, use the steps below to begin building your response.

Create a solid hook .

To capture the attention of an admissions committee member, start your personal statement with a hook that relates to the topic of your essay. A hook tends to be a colorful sentence or two at the very beginning that compels the reader to continue reading.

To create a captivating hook, try one of these methods:

Pose a rhetorical question. 

Provide an interesting statistic. 

Insert a quote from a well-known person.

Challenge the reader with a common misconception. 

Use an anecdote, which is a short story that can be true or imaginary. 

Credibility is crucial when writing a personal statement as part of your college application process. If you choose a statistic, quote, or misconception for your hook, make sure it comes from a reliable source.

Follow a narrative.

The best personal statements typically read like a story: they have a common theme, as well as a beginning, middle, and end. This type of format also helps keep your thoughts organized and improves the flow of your essay.

Common themes to consider for your personal statement include:

Special role models from your past

Life-altering events you've experienced

Unusual challenges you've faced

Accomplishments you're especially proud of

Service to others and why you enjoy it

What you've learned from traveling to a particular place

Unique ways you stand out from other candidates

Be specific.

Admissions committees read thousands of personal statements every year, which is why being specific on yours is important. Back up your statements with examples or anecdotes.

For instance, avoid vague assertions like, "I'm interested in your school counseling program because I care about children." Instead, point out experiences you've had with children that emphasize how much you care. For instance, you might mention your summer job as a day camp counselor or your volunteer experience mentoring younger children.

Don't forget to include detail and vibrancy to keep your statement interesting. The use of detail shows how your unique voice and experiences can add value to the college or university you're applying to.

Stay on topic.

It's natural to want to impress the members of the admissions committee who will read your personal statement. The best way to do this is to lead your readers through a cohesive, informative, and descriptive essay.

If you feel you might be going astray, ensure each paragraph in your essay's body supports your introduction. Here are a few more strategies that can help keep you on track:

Know what you want to say and do research if needed. 

Create an outline listing the key points you want to share.

Read your outline aloud to confirm it makes logical sense before proceeding. 

Read your essay aloud while you're writing to confirm you're staying on topic.

Ask a trusted friend or family member to read your essay and make suggestions.

Be true to your own voice.

Because of the importance of your personal statement, you could be tempted to be very formal with structure and language. However, using a more relaxed tone is better than you would for a classroom writing assignment. 

Remember: admissions committees really want to hear from you . Writing in your own voice will help accomplish this. To ensure your tone isn't too relaxed, write your statement as if you were speaking to an older relative or trusted teacher. This way, you'll come across as respectful, confident, and honest.

Tips for drafting an effective personal statement.

Now that you've learned a little about personal statements and how to craft them, here are a few more tips you can follow to strengthen your essay:

1. Customize your statement.

You don't have to completely rewrite your personal statement every time you apply to a new college, but you want to make sure you tailor it as much as possible. For instance, if you talk about wanting to take a certain class or study a certain subject, make sure you adjust any specifics for each application.

2. Avoid cliches.

Admissions committees are ultimately looking for students who will fit the school, and who the school can help guide toward their larger goals. In that case, cliches can get in the way of a reviewer understanding what it is you want from a college education. Watch out for cliches like "making a difference," "broadening my horizons," or "the best thing that ever happened to me."

3. Stay focused.

Try to avoid getting off-track or including tangents in your personal statement. Stay focused by writing a first draft and then re-reading what you've written. Does every paragraph flow from one point to the next? Are the ideas you're presenting cohesive?

4. Stick to topics that aren't controversial.

It's best not to discuss political beliefs or inappropriate topics in your essay. These can be controversial; ideally, you want to share something goals- or values-driven with an admissions committee.

Polish your writing skills on Coursera.

A stellar personal statement starts with stellar writing skills. Enhance your writing ability with a writing course from a top university, like Good with Words: Writing and Editing from the University of Michigan or Writing a Personal Essay from Wesleyan University. Get started for free to level up your writing.

Article sources

1. Common App. " 2022-2023 Common App Essay Prompts , https://www.commonapp.org/blog/2022-2023-common-app-essay-prompts." Accessed January 9, 2024.

Keep reading

Coursera staff.

Editorial Team

Coursera’s editorial team is comprised of highly experienced professional editors, writers, and fact...

This content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.

Governor/trustee recruitment: application form

Use our model application form to help you recruit governors and trustees, and save yourself time., adapt our template.

Alternatively, you can use a free recruitment service like Governors for Schools  to do the hard work for you. Its matching service will help you find suitable governors and trustees with the skills you need. 

You can sign in by selecting 'login or register', then selecting the ‘sign in with GovernorHub’ option, meaning you don’t need to have a separate set of login details.

Need more help recruiting? 

Use our articles on  how to recruit maintained school governors and  how to recruit trustees and local governors  to help with the entire process, from creating a compelling advert to screening candidates. 

Send out the application form along with a role description, to help applicants understand what you're looking for Ask for references by using our template form  Take our safer recruitment training course to ensure you’re compliant with the latest regulations Consider how much further you want to screen applicants. Some

This article is only available for members

Want to read this?

Unlock this article and get unlimited access to our entire library of resources and training courses with a no-obligation, 1 month free trial.

• Search through our downloadable templates and resources
• Try our on demand training
• See how GovernorHub can help you manage the work of your board

Already a member? Log in

• How to recruit maintained school governors

Also in " Recruiting & retaining governors "

• Governor and trustee recruitment: interview questions to ask
• Governor recruitment: asking for references
• How to encourage parents to become governors
• How to encourage staff to serve on your governing board
• New governor welcome letter: template

• Search All Scholarships
• Exclusive Scholarships
• Easy Scholarships to Apply For
• No Essay Scholarships
• Scholarships for HS Juniors
• Scholarships for HS Seniors
• Scholarships for College Students
• Scholarships for Grad Students
• Scholarships for Women
• Scholarships for Black Students
• Scholarships
• Student Loans
• College Admissions
• Financial Aid
• Scholarship Winners
• Scholarship Providers

Student-centric advice and objective recommendations

Higher education has never been more confusing or expensive. Our goal is to help you navigate the very big decisions related to higher ed with objective information and expert advice. Each piece of content on the site is original, based on extensive research, and reviewed by multiple editors, including a subject matter expert. This ensures that all of our content is up-to-date, useful, accurate, and thorough.

Our reviews and recommendations are based on extensive research, testing, and feedback. We may receive commission from links on our website, but that doesn’t affect our editors’ opinions. Our marketing partners don’t review, approve or endorse our editorial content. It’s accurate to the best of our knowledge when posted. You can find a complete list of our partners here .

How to Write an Amazing Personal Statement (Includes Examples!)

Lisa Freedland is a Scholarships360 writer with personal experience in psychological research and content writing. She has written content for an online fact-checking organization and has conducted research at the University of Southern California as well as the University of California, Irvine. Lisa graduated from the University of Southern California in Fall 2021 with a degree in Psychology.

Learn about our editorial policies

Zach Skillings is the Scholarships360 Newsletter Editor. He specializes in college admissions and strives to answer important questions about higher education. When he’s not contributing to Scholarships360, Zach writes about travel, music, film, and culture. His work has been published in Our State Magazine, Ladygunn Magazine, The Nocturnal Times, and The Lexington Dispatch. Zach graduated from Elon University with a degree in Cinema and Television Arts.

Bill Jack has over a decade of experience in college admissions and financial aid. Since 2008, he has worked at Colby College, Wesleyan University, University of Maine at Farmington, and Bates College.

Maria Geiger is Director of Content at Scholarships360. She is a former online educational technology instructor and adjunct writing instructor. In addition to education reform, Maria’s interests include viewpoint diversity, blended/flipped learning, digital communication, and integrating media/web tools into the curriculum to better facilitate student engagement. Maria earned both a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from Monmouth University, an M. Ed. in Education from Monmouth University, and a Virtual Online Teaching Certificate (VOLT) from the University of Pennsylvania.

The personal statement. It’s one of the most important parts of the entire college application process. This essay is the perfect opportunity to show admissions officers who you are and what makes you stand out from the crowd. But writing a good personal statement isn’t exactly easy. That’s why we’ve put together the ultimate guide on how to nail your personal statement, complete with example essays . Each essay was reviewed and commented upon by admissions expert Bill Jack. Let’s dive in!

Related: How to write an essay about yourself  

What is a personal statement? 

A personal statement is a special type of essay that’s required when you’re applying to colleges and scholarship programs. In this essay, you’re expected to share something about who you are and what you bring to the table. Think of it as a chance to reveal a side of yourself not found in the rest of your application. Personal statements are typically around 400 – 600 words in length. 

What can I write about? 

Pretty much anything, as long as it’s about you . While this is liberating in the sense that your writing options are nearly unlimited, it’s also overwhelming for the same reason. The good news is that you’ll probably be responding to a specific prompt. Chances are you’re applying to a school that uses the Common App , which means you’ll have seven prompts to choose from . Reviewing these prompts can help generate some ideas, but so can asking yourself meaningful questions. 

Below you’ll find a list of questions to ask yourself during the brainstorming process. For each of the following questions, spend a few minutes jotting down whatever comes to mind. 

• What experiences have shaped who you are? 
• What’s special or unique about you or your life story? 
• Who or what has inspired you the most? 
• What accomplishments are you most proud of? 
• What are your goals for the future? How have you arrived at those goals? 
• If your life was a movie, what would be the most interesting scene? 
• What have been some of the biggest challenges in your life? How did you respond and what did you learn? 

The purpose of these questions is to prompt you to think about your life at a deeper level. Hopefully by reflecting on them, you’ll find an essay topic that is impactful and meaningful. In the next section, we’ll offer some advice on actually writing your essay. 

Also see:  How to write a 500 word essay

How do I write my personal statement? 

Once you’ve found a topic, it’s time to start writing! Every personal statement is different, so there’s not really one formula that works for every student. That being said, the following tips should get you started in the right direction:  

1. Freewrite, then rewrite 

The blank page tends to get more intimidating the longer you stare at it, so it’s best to go ahead and jump right in! Don’t worry about making the first draft absolutely perfect. Instead, just get your ideas on the page and don’t spend too much time thinking about the finer details. Think of this initial writing session as a “brain dump”. Take 15-30 minutes to quickly empty all your thoughts onto the page without worrying about things like grammar, spelling, or sentence structure. You can even use bullet points if that helps. Once you have your ideas on the page, then you can go back and shape them exactly how you want. 

2. Establish your theme 

Now that you’ve got some basic ideas down on the page, it’s time to lock in on a theme. Your theme is a specific angle that reflects the central message of your essay. It can be summarized in a sentence or even a word. For example, let’s say you’re writing about how you had to establish a whole new group of friends when you moved to a new city. The theme for this type of essay would probably be something like “adaptation”. Having a theme will help you stay focused throughout your essay. Since you only have a limited number of words, you can’t afford to go off on tangents that don’t relate to your theme. 

3. Tell a story

A lot of great essays rely on a specific scene or story. Find the personal anecdote relevant to your theme and transfer it to the page. The best way to do this is by using descriptive language. Consult the five senses as you’re setting the scene. What did you see, hear, taste, touch, or smell? How were you feeling emotionally? Using descriptive language can really help your essay come to life. According to UPchieve , a nonprofit that supports low income students, focusing on a particular moment as a “ revised version of a memoir ” is one way to keep readers engaged. 

Related: College essay primer: show, don’t tell  

4. Focus on your opening paragraph

Your opening paragraph should grab your reader’s attention and set the tone for the rest of your essay. In most cases, this is the best place to include your anecdote (if you have one). By leading with your personal story, you can hook your audience from the get-go. After telling your story, you can explain why it’s important to who you are. 

Related:  How to start a scholarship essay (with examples)

5. Use an authentic voice 

Your personal statement reflects who you are, so you should use a tone that represents you. That means you shouldn’t try to sound like someone else, and you shouldn’t use fancy words just to show off. This isn’t an academic paper, so you don’t have to adopt a super formal tone. Instead, write in a way that allows room for your personality to breathe. 

6. Edit, edit, edit…

Once you’re done writing, give yourself some time away from the essay. Try to allow a few days to pass before looking at the essay again with fresh eyes. This way, you’re more likely to pick up on spelling and grammatical errors. You may even get some new ideas and rethink the way you wrote some things. Once you’re satisfied, let someone else edit your essay. We recommend asking a teacher, parent, or sibling for their thoughts before submitting. 

Examples of personal statements 

Sometimes viewing someone else’s work is the best way to generate inspiration and get the creative juices flowing. The following essays are written in response to four different Common App prompts: 

Prompt 1: “Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.”

When I was eight years old, I wanted a GameCube very badly. For weeks I hounded my dad to buy me one and finally he agreed. But there was a catch. He’d only get me a GameCube if I promised to start reading. Every day I played video games, I would have to pick up a book and read for at least one hour. At that point in my life, reading was just something I had to suffer through for school assignments. To read for pleasure seemed ludicrous. Needless to say, I wasn’t exactly thrilled about this proposed agreement. But I figured anything was worth it to get my hands on that shiny new video game console, so I bit the bullet and shook my dad’s hand. Little did I know that I had just made a life-changing deal. 

At first, the required hour of reading was a chore — something I had to do so I could play Mario Kart. But it quickly turned into something more than that. To my complete and utter surprise, I discovered that I actually enjoyed reading. One hour turned into two, two turned into three, and after a while I was spending more time reading than I was playing video games. I found myself captivated by the written word, and I read everything I could get my hands on. Lord of the Rings , Percy Jackson , Goosebumps — you name it. I was falling in love with literature, while my GameCube was accumulating dust in the TV stand. 

Soon enough, reading led to writing. I was beginning to come up with my own stories, so I put pen to paper and let my imagination run wild. It started out small. My first effort was a rudimentary picture book about a friendly raccoon who went to the moon. But things progressed. My stories became more intricate, my characters more complex. I wrote a series of science fiction novellas. I tried my hand at poetry. I was amazed at the worlds I could create with the tip of my pen. I had dreams of becoming an author. 

Then somewhere along the way my family got a subscription to Netflix, and that completely changed the way I thought about storytelling. My nose had been buried in books up until then, so I hadn’t really seen a lot of movies. That quickly changed. It seemed like every other day a pair of new DVDs would arrive in the mail (this was the early days of Netflix). Dark Knight, The Truman Show, Inception, Memento — all these great films were coming in and out of the house. And I couldn’t get enough of them. Movies brought stories to life in a way that books could not. I was head over heels for visual storytelling. 

Suddenly I wasn’t writing novels and short stories anymore. I was writing scripts for movies. Now I wanted to transfer my ideas to the big screen, rather than the pages of a book. But I was still doing the same thing I had always done. I was writing, just in a different format. To help with this process, I read the screenplays of my favorite films and paid attention to the way they were crafted. I kept watching more and more movies. And I hadn’t forgotten about my first love, either. I still cherished books and looked to them for inspiration. By the end of my junior year of high school, I had completed two scripts for short films. 

So why am I telling you all this? Because I want to turn my love of storytelling into a career. I’m not totally sure how to do that yet, but I know I have options. Whether it’s film production, creative writing, or even journalism, I want to find a major that suits my ambitions. Writing has taken me a long way, and I know it can take me even further. As I step into this next chapter of my life, I couldn’t be more excited to see how my craft develops. In the meantime, I should probably get rid of that dusty old GameCube. 

Feedback from admissions professional Bill Jack

Essays don’t always have to reveal details about the student’s intended career path, but one thing I like about this essay is that it gives the reader a sense of the why. Why do they want to pursue storytelling. It also shows the reader that they are open to how they pursue their interest. Being open to exploration is such a vital part of college, so it’s also showing the reader that they likely will be open to new things in college. And, it’s always fun to learn a little bit more about the student’s family, especially if the reader can learn about how the students interacts with their family. 

Prompt 2: “The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?”

I remember my first impression of Irvine: weird. It was foggy, stock-full of greenery and eucalyptus trees, and reminded me of my 5th grade trip to a “science camp” which was located in the San Bernardino mountains. Besides Irvine, that was one of the few places in Southern California where you’d find so many non-palm trees. 

Of course, perhaps my initial impression of Irvine was biased, motivated by a desire to stay in my hometown and a fear of the unknown. While that was true to an extent, Irvine was certainly still a little peculiar. The city itself was based on a “master plan” of sorts, with the location of each of its schools, parks, shops, and arguably its trees having been logically “picked” before the foundation was poured. Even the homes all looked roughly the same, with their beige, stucco walls almost serving as a hallmark of the city itself.

Thus, this perfectly structured, perfectly safe city seemed like a paradise of sorts to many outsiders, my parents included. I was a little more hesitant to welcome this. As I saw it, this was a phony city – believing that its uniformity stood for a lack of personality. My hometown, although not as flawlessly safe nor clean as Irvine, was where most of my dearest memories had occurred. From the many sleepovers at Cindie’s house, to trying to avoid my school’s own version of the “infamous” cheese touch, to the many laughs shared with friends and family, I shed a tear at the prospect of leaving my home.

Moving into the foreign city, remnants of the hostility I held towards Irvine remained. Still dwelling in my memories of the past, I was initially unable to see Irvine as a “home.” So, as I walked into my first-ever Irvine class, being greeted by many kind, yet unfamiliar faces around me, I was unable to recognize that some of those new faces would later become some of my dearest friends. Such negative feelings about the city were further reinforced by newer, harder classes, and more complicated homework. Sitting in the discomfort of this unfamiliar environment, it started to seem that “change” was something not only inevitable, but insurmountable.

As the years went on, however, this idea seemed to fade. I got used to my classes and bike racing through Irvine neighborhoods with my friends, watching the trees that once seemed just a “weird” green blob soon transform into one of my favorite parts of the city. While I kept my old, beloved memories stored, I made space for new ones. From carefully making our way over the narrow creek path next to our school, to the laughs we shared during chemistry class, my new memories made with friends seemed to transform a city I once disliked into one I would miss. 

Through this transformation, I have come to recognize that change, although sometimes intimidating at first, can open the door to great times and meaningful connections. Although Irvine may have once seemed like a strange, “phony” place that I couldn’t wait to be rid of, the memories and laughs I had grown to share there were very real. As I move onto this next part of my life, I hope I can use this knowledge that I have gained from my time in Irvine to make the most of what’s to come. Even if the change may be frightening at first, I have learned to embrace what’s on the other side, whether green or not.

One huge plus to writing an essay that focuses on a place is that you might have it read by someone who has been there. Yet, what’s really helpful about this essay is that even if someone hasn’t been there, a picture is painted about what the place is like.  Admission officers have the hard task of really understanding what the student sees, so the use of adjectives and imagery can really help.  It’s also really clever to see that the green that’s mentioned at the beginning is mentioned at the end.  It’s a nice way to bookend the essay and tie it all together.

Prompt 6: “Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?”

I like getting lost. Not literally, of course, but figuratively. Whether it be in the story of a love song by Taylor Swift, or in the memories brought back by listening to my favorite childhood video game’s background music, I’ve always appreciated music’s ability to transport me to another place, another time, another feeling. 

Alas, I cannot sing, nor have I practiced an instrument since my middle school piano class days. So, perhaps Kurt Vonnegut was right. As he puts it, “Virtually every writer I know would rather be a musician.” While I cannot speak for others, I have certainly not debunked his theory. Writing allows many, including myself, to attempt to mimic the transformative power of music – even if our singing voices aren’t exactly “pleasant.” Just as you can get lost in music, you can do so in a story. Whether it is in George Orwell’s totalitarian Oceania, or Little Women’s Orchard House, the stories outlined in novels can provide an amazing look into the lives and worlds of others, and an escape from the worries and problems of those in your own.

While I am certainly not claiming to have the storytelling abilities of the Orwells or Alcotts before me, I’ve had fun trying to recreate such transformative feelings for others. When I was nine, I attempted to write a story about a little girl who had gotten lost in the woods, only managing to get a couple pages through. As I got older, whenever I was assigned a creative writing assignment in school, I wrote about the same pig, Phil. He was always angry: in my 8th grade science class, Phil was mad at some humans who had harbored his friend captive, and in my 9th grade English class, at a couple who robbed him. 

Thus, when I heard about a writing club being opened at my school in 11th grade, I knew I had to join. I wanted to discern whether writing was just a hobby I picked up now and then, or a true passion. If it was a passion, I wanted to learn as much as possible about how I could improve. Although my high school’s writing club certainly wasn’t going to transform me into Shakespeare, I knew I could learn a lot from it – and I did. The club challenged me to do many things, from writing on the spot, to writing poetry, to even writing about myself, something that’s hopefully coming in handy right now. 

From then on, I started to expand into different types of writing, storing short ideas, skits, and more in appropriately-labeled Google Drive folders. At around the same time, I became interested in classic literature, which largely stemmed from a project in English class. We had been required to choose and read a classic on our own, then present it to the class in an interesting way. While my book was certainly interesting and unique in its own right, nearly everyone else’s novels seemed more captivating to me. So, I took it upon myself to read as many classics as I could the following summer.

One of the books I read during the summer, funnily enough, was Animal Farm, which starred angry pigs, reminiscent of Phil. I had also started going over different ideas in my head, thinking about how I could translate them into words using the new skills I learned. While the writing club helped reaffirm my interest in writing and allowed me to develop new skills, my newfound affinity for classics gave me inspiration to write. Now, I am actually considering writing as part of my future. In this endeavor, I hope that Phil, and the music I inevitably listen to as I write, will accompany me every step of the way.

Admission officers might read 70 (or more!) essays in one day. It’s not uncommon for them to start to blend together and sound similar. This essay might not make you laugh out loud. But, it might make the reader chuckle while reading it thanks to the subtle humor and levity. Being able to incorporate a little humor into your essay (if it is natural for you to do… do not force it), can really be a great way to shed additional light into who you are. Remember, the essay isn’t merely about proving that you can write, but it should also reveal a little bit about your personality.

Prompt 5: “Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.”

I learned a lot of things during the summer I worked at Tropical Smoothie. I discovered the value of hard work. I figured out how to save money. I even mastered the art of the Mango Magic smoothie (the secret is lots of sugar). But most importantly, I learned the power of perspective. And I have Deja to thank for that. 

Deja was my shift supervisor, and one of Tropical Smoothie’s best employees. She was punctual, friendly, and always willing to lend a helping hand. She knew the store from top to bottom, and could handle pretty much any situation thrown her way. She made everyone around her better. On top of all that, she was four months pregnant! I was always impressed by Deja’s work ethic, but I gained an entirely new level of respect for her one day.

It was a Friday night, and Deja and I were working the closing shift together. It was very busy, and Deja and I were the only ones on shift. We managed to get by, but we were exhausted by the end of the evening. After wiping down the counters and mopping the floors, we closed up shop and went our separate ways. I was eager to get home. 

I walked a couple blocks to where I had parked my car. Well, it wasn’t my car actually. It was my dad’s ‘98 Chevy pickup truck, and it was in rough shape. It had no heat or A/C, the leather seats were cracked beyond repair, and the driver’s side door was jammed shut. I sighed as I got in through the passenger side and scooted over to the driver’s seat. The whole reason I was working at Tropical Smoothie was to save up enough money to buy my own car. I was hoping to have something more respectable to drive during my senior year of high school. 

I cranked the old thing up and started on my way home. But soon enough, I spotted Deja walking on the side of the road. There was no sidewalk here, the light was low, and she was dangerously close to the passing cars. I pulled over and offered her a ride. She got in and explained that she was on her way home. Apparently she didn’t have a car and had been walking to work every day. I couldn’t believe it. Here I was complaining about my set of wheels, while Deja didn’t have any to begin with.

We got to talking, and she confessed that she had been having a tough time. You would never know from the way she was so cheerful at work, but Deja had a lot on her plate. She was taking care of her mother, her boyfriend had just lost his job, and she was worried about making ends meet. And of course, she was expecting a baby in five months. On top of all that, she had been walking nearly a mile to and from work every day. The whole thing was a real eye opener, and made me reconsider some things in my own life. 

For one, I didn’t mind driving my dad’s truck anymore. It was banged up, sure, but it was a lot better than nothing. My mindset had changed. I appreciated the truck now. I began to think about other things differently, too. I started making mental notes of all the things in my life I was thankful for — my family, my friends, my health. I became grateful for what I had, instead of obsessing over the things I didn’t. 

I also gained more awareness of the world outside my own little bubble. My encounter with Deja had shown me first-hand that everyone is dealing with their own problems, some worse than others. So I started paying more attention to my friends, family members, and coworkers. I started listening more and asking how I could help. I also gave Deja a ride home for the rest of the summer. 

These are all small things, of course, but I think they make a difference. I realized I’m at my best when I’m not fixated on my own life, but when I’m considerate of the lives around me. I want to keep this in mind as I continue to grow and develop as a person. I want to continue to search for ways to support the people around me. And most importantly, I want to keep things in perspective.

Too often we can be focused on our own problems that we fail to realize that everyone has their own things going on in their lives, too.  This essay showcases how it’s important to put things in perspective, a skill that certainly will prove invaluable in college… and not just in the classroom.  Another reason I like this essay is because it provides deeper insight into the student’s life.  Sure, you might have mentioned in your activities list that you have a job.  But as this essay does, you can show why you have the job in the first place, what your responsibilities are, and more.

A few last tips

We hope these essay examples gave you a bit of inspiration of what to include in your own. However, before you go, we’d like to send you off with a few (personal statement) writing tips to help you make your essays as lovely as the memories and anecdotes they’re based off of. Without further ado, here are some of our best tips for writing your personal statements:

1. Open strong

College admissions officers read many, many essays (think 50+) a day, which can sometimes cause them to start blending together and sounding alike. One way to avoid your essay from simply fading into the background is to start strong. This means opening your essay with something memorable, whether an interesting personal anecdote, a descriptive setting, or anything else that you think would catch a reader’s attention (so long as it’s not inappropriate). Not only might this help college admissions officers better remember your essay, but it will also make them curious about what the rest of your essay will entail.

2. Be authentic

Perhaps most important when it comes to writing personal statement essays is to maintain your authenticity. Ultimately, your essays should reflect your unique stories and quirks that make you who you are, and should help college admissions officers determine whether you’d truly be a good fit for their school or not. So, don’t stress trying to figure out what colleges are looking for. Be yourself, and let the colleges come to you!

3. Strong writing

This one may seem a little obvious, but strong writing will certainly appeal to colleges. Not only will it make your essay more compelling, but it may show colleges that you’re ready for college-level essay writing (that you’ll likely have to do a lot of). Just remember that good writing is not limited to grammar. Using captivating detail and descriptions are a huge part of making your essay seem more like a story than a lecture.

4. Proofread

Last but not least, remember to proofread! Make sure your essay contains no errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling. When you’re done proofreading your essay yourself, we would also recommend that you ask a teacher, parent, or other grammatically savvy person to proofread your essay as well.

Final thoughts 

With those in hand, we hope you now have a better sense of how to write your personal statement. While your grades and test scores are important when it comes to college admissions, it’s really your essays that can “make” or “break” your application. 

Although this may make it seem like a daunting task, writing an amazing personal statement essay is all about effort. Thus, so long as you start early, follow the advice listed above, and dedicate your time and effort to it, it’s entirely possible to write an essay that perfectly encapsulates you. Good luck, and happy writing!

Also see:  Scholarships360’s free scholarships search tool

Key Takeaways

• It may take some people longer than others to know what they want to write about, but remember that everyone, including you, has something unique to write about!
• Personal statements should be personal, which means you should avoid being too general and really strive to show off what makes you “you”
• Time and effort are two of the most important things you can put into your personal statement to ensure that it is the best representation of yourself
• Don’t forget to ask people who know you to read your work before you submit; they should be able to tell you better than anyone if you are truly shining through!

Frequently asked questions about writing personal statements 

How do you write a powerful personal statement, what makes an amazing personal statement, how do you start an amazing personal statement, scholarships360 recommended.

10 Tips for Successful College Applications

Coalition vs. Common App: What is the difference?

College Application Deadlines 2023-2024: What You Need to Know

Trending now.

How to Convert Your GPA to a 4.0 Scale

PSAT to SAT Score Conversion: Predict Your Score

What Are Public Ivy League Schools?

3 reasons to join scholarships360.

• Automatic entry to our $10,000 No-Essay Scholarship
• Personalized matching to thousands of vetted scholarships
• Quick apply for scholarships exclusive to our platform

By the way...Scholarships360 is 100% free!

West Virginia will not face $465M COVID education funds clawback after feds OK waiver, governor says

C HARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — Gov. Jim Justice announced Friday that West Virginia will not face a clawback of $465 million in COVID-19 money from the U.S. Department of Education, alleviating concerns raised by state lawmakers during the final days of the legislative session in March.

The Republican governor said in a statement that federal officials approved the state's application for a waiver for the money, which was a portion of the more than a billion dollars in federal aid the state received to help support students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In order to receive the money, the state needed to keep funding education at the same or a higher level than before the pandemic. In other words, the federal money could supplement existing state investment in education but not replace it.

For federal spending packages passed in 2020 and 2021, that meant a dollar-for-dollar match. For 2022 and 2023, the federal government examined the percentage of each state’s total budget being spent on education.

Those regulations were waived for West Virginia in 2022. As lawmakers worked to finish the state budget in March at the close of the session, the state had not been approved for a waiver for 2023.

The question threw the state’s budget process into disarray and caused uncertainty in the days before the 60-day legislative session, with lawmakers saying they would pass a “skinny budget” and reconvene to address unfinished business in May, when the financial situation is clearer.

Justice said then that his office was negotiating with the federal government and that he expected a positive resolution, citing funds dedicated to school service and teacher pay raises each year since 2018 — when school employees went on strike over conditions in schools.

On Friday, he praised the federal government's decision, and he said he was never concerned the waiver wouldn’t be approved.

“This announcement came as no surprise and was never a real issue,” Justice said.

He also said the state has dedicated money to building projects and putting teaching aides in classrooms to improve math and reading skills. The state said it spent $8,464 per K-12 pupil in 2024, compared with $7,510 during Justice’s first year as governor in 2017, according to documents submitted to the federal government.

But because state spending increased overall — from $4.9 billion in 2017 to $6.2 billion in 2023 — the percentage marked for education decreased. The key metric eliciting pause from the federal government was an 8% decrease in the education piece of the budget pie — from 51% in 2017 to 43% last year.

Justice said the state's investment in education speaks for itself: State leaders also approved $150 million for the state's School Building Authority in the state budget for the fiscal year starting in July.