Whats it like being a school Govenor?

[toast]

JBARBER wrote

If any parents on this thread or friends or family would like to apply to be a Southwark LEA Governor please do get in touch with me. We need more people putting themselves forward who have a passion for improving schools in our area.

Sounds like ED and the Rye are responding to the schools crisis by being open to some of the less popular schools and championing them. Primary schools change so fast and i am hopeful that the places shortage may well be a boost for local schools as they will all be a better representation of their community.

Knowing the area lots of people would be interested in becoming govenors but what does in really involve?

[Smiler]

There is some information on the Southwark website: http://www.southwark.gov.uk/YourServices/educationandlearning/schoolsinsouthwark/governors/

[fuzzyboots]

Hi guys,

As a former parent governor of a primary school in North Peckham about 12 years ago, I'd just like to tell any parents considering this voluntary role, to be sure they can make the time/energy/reading commitment that being a school governor entails. It is NOT an easy ride, and, depending on the leadership of the school, it can become a bit of a poison chalice if you're not clear about what it is you're taking on.

Admittedly, when I did it 12 years ago, it was rather by default, because nobody else volunteered! I really wanted to make a positive contribution to my son's school, but I was completely naive about the commitment required. At times, hardly a day went by without policy documents for x,y and z dropping through my door. Then there was training. Then there were the actual (frequent) meetings. Then there were the working groups for particular issues like sex education, finance, building maintenance, special needs, etc. Not to mention the need on occasion to attend what were then called "Exclusion Panels". I was completely overwhelmed and felt I was doing the school a very poor service because I just couldn't cope with the amount I had to learn and the time requirements.

So, IF you're highly organised (I'm not and I wasn't then), you have a burning passion and time to commit, then DO stand to be a parent governor. If you're not, then I'd seriously recommend you to demur and contribute to your child's school in another, equally valuable way!

Trish

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[James Barber]

Hi fuzzboots, et al,

I can assure any prospective school governors we give lots of support. I;'m clear such support was given 12 years ago.

Training for the role is encouraged and provided free by Southwark LEA.

Most bigger oeganisations will give time of to support such public sprited activity. That the main governors committee typically meet once or twice per term. Joining other sub committees works out at about a meeting every 3-5 weeks total.

Worth noting a Primary school governor role is not as demanding as a secondary school governor role and I suspect fuzzboots you were a governor at the latter?

Without good critical friends a school doesn't usually reach its full potential.

[fuzzyboots]

Sorry to say, I was primary school pg! Goodness knows how I'd have coped at a secondary school!!!!!!! Would probably have resigned in desperation.

I cannot fault the amount of information provided - I just personally wasn't able to assimilate it all effectively. Rather a baptism of fire. And I worked for a small, 3rd sector organisation, and delightful and public spirited though my boss genuinely was, there wasn't the capacity for me to not be at work.

However, I am NOT knocking becoming a PArent Governor at all - I think it's very good for parents to be involved and to bring their own skillset to their children's schools. I guess it's more that I feel rueful that I wasn't honest with myself/well enough informed/able to estimate the amount of commitment it takes to do the role well and effectively. I think I was motivated by worthiness rather than the sure knowledge that I could make a valuable contribution rather than just be a bum on a seat.

Things have changed a lot in the last decade since I was a PG and there's fortunately a much bigger pool of capable, willing, available parents which I think is brilliant.

I hope I haven't deterred anyone from standing for election, unless, like me they are unrealistic about how much they can take on/how good a job they can do! I'm all for parents being involved in their schools,but more especially, I'm all for the parents who can really deliver being the ones who stand for election. Let's just say, I experienced the Peter Principle when I did my stint! A case of enthusiasm overriding my ability!

Actually, I felt it was very sad that there was no other parent even willing to stand for election - I felt it said a lot about the lack of involvement that parents had at that particular school and sadly the school was quite obviously all the poorer for that, despite having very dedicated staff.

[James Barber]

to becoem a Local Authority apopointed governor you don't stand for election.

You apply on the attached application form.

you talk to officers who'll take your wishes into consideration.

Ideally visit a governors meeting to see that it does suit you and if appointed go onto make a difference to many hundreds if not thousands of childrens lives.

[fuzzyboots]

Sorry James. Things have obviously changed since I did it!