Why do schools need governors?
Schools need more enthusiastic and committed people to step forward as governors. It is an opportunity to have your voice heard and to influence education for the children in your area.
Schools now make decisions on how to spend their budgets. It is a big responsibility for those in charge. That is why new people are always needed.
Could you be a governor
Being a governor is not difficult but you do need to be committed and interested in doing what is best for the next generation. If you care enough about the children in your community to invest some of your time in their future, get involved as a governor.
What do governors do?
The governors are responsible for making sure the school provides a good quality education. They set the school aims and policies together with the Headteacher. The Headteacher is responsible for day to day management, but he or she is chosen by the governors and works closely with them.
Every school has a governing body. It usually consists of:
- parents elected by other parents of children at the school
- citizens appointed by the LEA
- members co-opted from the community (including business community)
- foundation governors appointed to voluntary schools to represent the church which provides the school
- school staff and the headteacher
Appointments are usually for 4 years with exception of Nursery schools where the term of office is 2 years.
Governors are responsible for how the school is performing. Following up inspection report is an important job for governors, so it is helpful to identify problems and tackle them in advance.
It is not easy being a governor
To be honest being a governor can be hard work at times. There may sometimes be a lot of papers to read, and meetings to attend. Governors may need to make difficult decisions about pupils or members of staff.
So why do people do it?
Many find the work is satisfying because it gives them the chance to:
- make a difference to how well the school runs
- do something for the next generation
- serve the local community; and
- learn new skills.
Working as part of a team, towards a common goal, is also something that most governors find very rewarding. So long as they act within the law, governors are protected from any financial liability for the decisions they take.
The governing body usually meets at least once a term. You can also sit on some of the committees that look in detail at areas such as:
- finance
- curriculum
- staffing; and
- premises.
Being a governor means regularly putting aside some spare time in the evenings. The amount of time varies widely, depending on how involved you become and what needs doing.
Governors can learn a lot by visiting the school and talking to staff and pupils. School governors have a legal right to ask their employer for unpaid leave.
Governors are people like you
Don’t be put off by applying because you are not an expert. Instead ask yourself:
- do you get on with other people?
- are you open to new ideas and ready to learn
- are you prepared to work as part of a team?
- do you have some spare time, especially in the evenings, to go to meetings or read papers?
- do you want to put something into your local community?
If you can answer yes to these questions, and you live or work in the Bridgend area, then you already have the makings of a school governor.
You do not need special qualifications, but you do need to be ready to read a fair amount of paper, think about ideas and ask questions like:
- what is most important for the school?
- where are we now?
- where do we need to get to?
It helps to be a listener. Governors also need to ask questions, gather views and then decide what is in the school’s best interests.
Time and again new governors have been surprised at how their experiences can be used to help solve a problem at their school. You do not have to be a specialist. Think about the skills you use in everyday life.
What help do governors get?
Being a governor is not all about what you have to offer. A great deal of professional advice and support is available to help governors with their duties and responsibilities from:
the headteacher
the chair of governors
senior staff employed in the Education Department
Governor Support
Diocesan authorities which support voluntary school governors
Information and advice is readily available from Governor Support. We deliver a foundation course which is 6 training modules that is extremely informative for new and existing governors. We also offer topical training sessions which are detailed on our training menu.
There are various reasons why you may have chosen to become a school governor, some of these could be because:
- You want to become more involved with the school that is in your area
- You are interested in your child’s education
- You have been asked by someone
- You are appointed by the Local Education Authority (LEA)
You do not have to be a particular type of person, know about education or have children to become a governor. Volunteer Governors must be over 18 years of age and are welcome regardless of race, colour, sexual orientations, ethnic origin, sex, religion or disability.
The main benefit of becoming a School Governor is a feeling of satisfaction from involving yourself in the most important role in education. Other benefits are:
- Understanding decisions making process of governing bodies
- To gain a sense of achievement as a active member of the community you serve in
- The opportunity to develop new skills
- To work as part of a team with a wide range of people from different backgrounds
- Last Updated: 18/08/2009
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