Become a governor

Through their representation of the wider school community (this includes the parents, school staff and other members of that community), governors help their school improve and provide the best possible education for the pupils.

 

How To Become a Governor

 Governor vacancies are advertised with a description of the skills required.  There will always be a minimum of two parent Governors. Parent Governor vacancies will be advertised to all registered parents.  Interested parents may apply to be selected for this role. Staff Governors are elected by School staff.  All other Governors are appointed by CELT.  Interested potential Governors may apply for vacancies when advertised. 

 

A good governor has many skills and qualities including:

• An ability to respect confidentiality.
• An interest in education.
• Communication skills.
• An ability to absorb information.
• Tact and diplomacy.
• An ability to work as part of a team.
• A willingness to give your time.
• A commitment to equal opportunities.
• An open mind.
• A willingness to undertake training.

What Governors Do

Governing bodies are expected to play three key roles - they provide a strategic overview, they act as a critical friend to the school and they ensure accountability.

 

By working strategically, the governing body helps to provide the best possible education for the pupils of the school. Through working as a corporate body with a clearly defined division of responsibilities between the headteacher and the governors, the governing body:

• Helps to set standards and targets for performance for the school.
• Has an overview of the curriculum.
• Helps to set policies for itself and the school.
• Delivers effective planning including planning the delivery of financial, personnel and post-inspection duties.

By being a critical friend, the governing body establishes an effective working relationship with the headteacher through having clear division of duties delivered through effective meetings. This will help the governing body to:

• Know the school.
• Have an effective scheme of delegation between the governing body and the headteacher.
• Monitor and evaluate attainment, achievement and the delivery of policies and plans.

To ensure accountability, the governing body will receive regular reports from the headteacher and will provide information to the MAT and parents on a regular basis.

 

A Governor's Commitments:

As a governor you will be expected to:

• Support the aims and objectives of your school and promote the interests of the school and its pupils within the local community.
• Attend meetings of the governing body. The full governing body may meet twice every term.
• Attend the school on a regular basis through a planned programme of visits.
• Recognise that you and the governing body are accountable for your actions.
• Act as a member of the governing body and not as an individual with personal interests.
• Keep informed about developments within the school.
• Attend training to increase your knowledge, skills and ability to deliver your duties and responsibilities.

What help is available to Governors?

The headteacher and colleagues on the governing body are best placed to support fellow governors and provide them with essential information about the school and the governing body's role within the school. This should include:

• The Department for Education (DfE) Governor’s Handbook.
• Details of the school, its staff and its recent performance and assessment information.
• Details of the governing body including minutes, dates of meetings and terms of reference.
• The most recent school improvement plan, Ofsted inspection report and school prospectus.
• Details of training opportunities.