School Governors

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School governors

Have you got:

	an interest in our children’s future?
	a desire to make a difference?
	time and energy?
	a readiness to accept responsibility?
	an ability to work in a team?
	a knack of being happy to ask questions, listen and learn?

There are currently 1054 governor places within the county borough’s schools, of which 74 (7%) vacancies currently remain unfilled.

Melanie Treharne, the council’s Team Manager - Governor Support explains the role of the governor and the support provided to governors by the council.

“The number of governors in a governing body at each school differs depending on the school but most primary schools have 14 and comprehensive schools slightly more relating to their size. The governing body must meet at least once per term and governors are also expected to attend any meetings of committees on which they sit throughout the year. In each meeting the governors receive and discuss reports from the head teacher, the director of education and an update on the school’s financial accounts. Governors have to make decisions or give approval to a range of matters such as budgets, the recruitment of staff, disciplinary issues and the general maintenance of the school building and grounds. They also monitor pupil’s exam and test results against set targets and any school inspection reports.

“Many issues are dealt with via committees and are then ratified by the governing body. A governor does not have any power as an individual as the governing body’s power is as a collective. However, a governor acts as a link between the parents, the local community and the school and is there to take an objective view and to make decisions that will help to achieve and maintain high standards within the school.

“The responsibility may at first seem a little daunting however the council does give support to newcomers by running a foundation course that covers the main responsibility areas. More detailed governor training is available on a range of subjects, there’s a telephone hotline to help answer any specific questions and a pool of experienced governors is at hand to share their wealth of experience. The council also allocates a clerk to each governing body who will arrange the meetings and take the minutes of the meetings”

“You do not have to have any set qualifications and you do not necessarily have to live within close proximity of the school. We are just looking for people with the right attitude, motivation and who are over the age of 18 to fill the role and help shape the future of education within Bridgend County Borough”.