Becoming
A School Governor
As a governor you will help make vital decisions about the school,
including the appointment of the head and managing the budget.
You
will also share responsibility for staff and pupil discipline, set targets
for raising standards and agree action plans after Ofsted inspections.
A responsible job indeed!
The
only people excluded from serving on a governing body are those with certain
criminal convictions (whether you are debarred depends on the severity
of the crime - ring the Governors Helpline: 08000 722181 to check),
bankrupts and those liable to be sectioned under the Mental Health Act.
It
could be YOU!
Start by making your interest known - some parent governors are elected
by other parents, others appointed by Church or business interests. Consider
what you could offer: professional and business skills are valuable, but
so is life experience. Perhaps you have a child with special needs and
have gathered specialist knowledge. Or you are doing an Open University
degree and are conscious of the learning issues. Perhaps you feel the
school needs input from your religious or ethnic group. You don't need
to know anything beforehand - training is given.
What
is involved?
Being a governor requires commitment - you will attend at least 2 meetings
a term, plus subcommittee meetings. These are sometimes held during the
day, so check that your employer is amenable (employers are legally obliged
to offer some time off). You must also be willing to read sheaves of papers
beforehand.
What's in it for you?
Apart from expenses, there's no pay involved.
But you will have real power to influence pupils' achievement.
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