Parents often criticise the way their children's schools are being run. They may take exception to the lack of after hours provision or extra curricula activities. They may dislike the fact that the school has experienced a high number of fixed term and permanent exclusions. Moreover, far too many assume that they have no role to play in the management of the school and that some unknown group is responsible for making these important decisions.
Parents and Govenors
The truth of the matter is that they can influence the decision-making process if they become school governors. In most schools the governing body (composed in the main by school governors) work alongside the head to establish the school's aims, values and ethos. They are also accountable for deciding its policies, overseeing management and observing performance - although the head is responsible for the day-to-day running of the school.
However, many parents wrongly assume that you need to be a 'professional' person (doctor, lawyer, or teacher), or have a university degree to be a school governor. Although having these abilities and qualifications may be useful, they are not an essential requirement. In fact, you do not even have to be a parent to be a governor. What you must possess, however, is a desire to make a difference, plus time, energy and commitment; a readiness to accept responsibility; the ability to work as part of a team; and, most importantly, an interest in the future of the borough's children.
Types of Governors
There are currently four types of governors:
- Parent governors
- Staff or teacher governors
- LEA appointed governors
- Co-opted or community governors
Under current regulations to be a parent governor you must to have 'parental responsibility' for a pupil at the school. Parental responsibility comprises stepparents, foster parents, grand parents or the permanent partner of a biological parent, as well as the biological parent. Also, your child needs to be on the school roll at the time the election is held - although you will not be asked to resign if your child leaves the school before the end of your stint.
What do Governors do?
Once appointed as a school governor, you are provided with training about your role, and the responsibilities and work of governing bodies. Training also includes once-a-term briefing meetings where governors are informed about the latest developments within the sector. The initial term of office is four years, but governors can stay on for further terms if re-appointed.
Governors usually meet at least once a term, more often than not in the evenings, to discuss school-related issues such as planning, finance, staffing, discipline and curriculum. However, if they have a lot of work to deal with they may meet twice a term. School governors are also encouraged to visit their school during school hours (with prior agreement from the school head) so that they can get a better feel for the school.
Although being a governor is open to almost anyone, restrictions are placed upon those who have committed certain offences or have been declared bankrupt.
Research suggests that there are a number of reasons why some parents are reluctant to become governors. As mentioned before, there are those who believe you need to hold certain jobs or have particular qualifications in order to take on the role. Others who had bad educational experiences are perhaps unwilling to re-enter a school in any capacity.
Others are not aware of the fact that all rookie school governors receive appropriate training to ensure they are familiar with the work of governing bodies and their own responsibilities. Some of the more enlightened Governor Support Units within Local Education Authorities provide a 'buddy scheme' for new governors. Moreover, alongside regular training days, many also provide briefing sessions to enable governors to be cognisant of new legislation.
Being a school governor is a voluntary post which enables you to put something back into the community. In fact, school governors form one of the largest voluntary groups in the UK.
