School Governor info please!

[arieliwish]

Hi all,

I've been approached by our primary school governors to become a foundation parent governor, and I really don't know anything about being a governor!

Any of you been/are governors with any advice or info please, also your experiences of governors - good and bad!

I personally have always found our governing body aloof and un-approachable, they never attend school of PTA functions (I used to be PTA secretary!), and they seem to be faceless names on a list to most parents, local church reps, local councillors, etc. Most of these are now about to move on so the future governing body should look much more dynamic, but I really don't know if I know enough about school/education to qualify! I realise it is a huge privelege but also a huge responsibility!

Will need to let them know by Sunday and I'm in a dilema!!

Cheers

Lynn

 

[Dimplenose]

The whole reason you've been asked is because you are a parent not an education expert. It is a very worthwhile and interesting thing to do and there are training courses available for new governors.

It is however quite time consuming (I was a governor some years ago and lead to beleive I would be attending 4 meeetings a year - but there was more to do than that.)

I did feel a little uncomfortable knowing things that other parents didn't - one or two parents would try to quiz me in the playground but I did get used to saying I couldn't discuss confidential matters.

Libby

 

[natalielongstaff]

condfidentiality is the biggest issue you will face IMO ! i find being a governor very rewarding and its great when some of your ideas are implemented around the school

i joined when our school was struggling and i feel as if ive been a part of the turnaround.
you may be able to change the structure so that governors are more approachable

good luck x x

 

[Hilary]

I was a school governor for quite a few years, and only gave up when my DDs were no longer at the school and I felt I didn't have as much incentive and committment as I'd felt when they were part of the school.

If you're tempted - go for it! Having been involved with the PTA shows you're interested and committed to the school, as well as being prepared to find time to be pro-active; that's a great starting point! As has already been said, confidentiality can be difficult. I think parent governors have the hardest time with it because they are the most accessible, and it can be a difficult balancing act representing other parents without being able to feed back everything that's happened.

Hopefully, you'll find you enjoy it, as well as feeling you can contribute to ensuring your school thrives and improves. It can be really rewarding if you know you've helped to make a difference. With the new GB taking shape, it's a great opportunity to really feel you can achieve something worthwhile without being told 'that's not how it's been done in the past', as can sometimes happen with established committees. At worst, you can resign if you really feel it isn't for you

Good luck with whatever you decide

 

[GlendaONeill]

My DH is a governer of the school DS1 and DD go too. He only took it on last year as they were needing people and he was interested. He didn't know much about education and the like but has now been on lots of training courses run for this reason. He has two meetings a month to go to.
He really enjoys it and feels he's doing something worthwhile for the school and pupils.
It does infuriate me when he can't tell me things but that is part and parcel of the role.
I remember reading somewhere that the Open University do free courses for board of governers members.
If you feel you have the time and enthusiasm I'd go for it!

 

[arieliwish]

Thanks for all the replies guys. I've been told its 6 meetings per school year, 1 every half term. There are other committees you can be on but as the school is quite small (43 pupils age 4 - 11) these are few and far between. The old governors have been on for years and prob a fresh start is needed, I know a couple of parent governors have resigned as they felt they were tokens and didn't really have a voice. The current chairman is a young man whose 3 girls are at school and he could really drive it all forward so if the dead wood is gone it may make a big difference.

As for the school gate crowd, my son is year 5 now and as we live 4 doors away from school he says I am not allowed to walk him to school and back! So that shouldn't really be a problem, they'd have to come out of their way to see me. I'm friendly with many parents but only really close to one other and she works for a local MP and is governor at a school in Darlington so she knows how it all works. I think my real concern would be discussing the kids, as it is a small school it would be pretty obvious who we're talking about even if names aren't used. Plus as you say, I could resign, or even go when my son leaves in under 2 years.

I'm still thinking about it, as I'm not sure I'd be the best person for the job, even if they think so. They're looking for one other parent also so I guess I wouldn't be starting on my own.

I'm just about to start a web design course with the OU next week, so that's interesting about the governors course.

Cheers

Lynn

 

[paulh]

. I think my real concern would be discussing the kids, as it is a small school it would be pretty obvious who we're talking about even if names aren't used.
Cheers

Lynn

Majority of workload is mainly day to day buissness hireing and firing of staff, improving facilitys ect.The children should only come into it if its a disaplinary thing like exclusion.
Paulh

 

[Astrid]

I did two terms as a governor and chair of governors a few years back. It was very rewarding, but hard work at times! I remember being astounded at my first meeting when the announced that the Head was leaving and WE had to appoint a new one!!

However, the training we got was brilliant, I went on a lot of very interesting courses and here in Hampshire we have a very good Governor Support department who are always on the end of the phone if you have a query. So, you are guided a lot of the way.

We too had meetings every half term, plus meetings involved with sub-committees that individual governors were on, ie. finance committee, marketing committee, buildings committee etc.

I hope you decide to go for this, like the poster above says, it's not very often than individual children are mentioned it's more whole school policies and budgets and I didn't find the confidentiality thing an issue.

Go for it and enjoy!!

 

[arieliwish]

Well, I've taken the plunge, told the chair of governors I'd give it a go, she said I can always resign if I hate it and I can leave when my DS goes to big school (July 09) so it's not forever.

Thanks for all your replies, they really helped me think it through.

Will keep you posted!!

Lynn

 

[GlendaONeill]

Very good Lynn! Wishing you the best of luck!!!!!!!!