At School-info4u.com we often get queries about how to become a school governor.
This is a comprehensive guide.
What is a school governing body?
Every school has a governing body. It can include:
- Parents and carers.
- Other members of the community.
- A teacher.
- Local education authority governors.
- Governors co-opted by other members of the governing body.
- The head teacher.
- Non-teaching staff.
If you become a governor you will get the opportunity to work with a wide range of people from different cultural, social and religious backgrounds.
You will have to answer to parents, funders and the community and they will expect you to make sure that the school provides a quality education for all its pupils.
Why should you become a governor?
People of colour are really under-represented in governing bodies of our schools. More people of colour should volunteer to give their time to the important job of improving the quality of education for our young people.
You will have the opportunity to learn more about the education system. You will also be able to develop new skills and improve on others.
You will make a real difference in the lives of our young people and the community as a whole.
If the governing body didn’t exist, the head teacher wouldn’t have to answer to anyone except the LEA. So as a governor you will have the unique opportunity to keep an eye on the school, the staff and the young people who attend the school.
You don’t have to have any experience in the field of education; you just have to have a passion for the job.
What responsibilities will you have as a school governor?
If you become a governor you will have responsibility for either one or more of the following areas:
- Finance.
- Buildings and grounds.
- School curriculum.
- Special educational needs.
- Standards of behaviour.
- Health and safety.
- Recruiting staff.
- Reporting to parents.
- Community links.
You can also be involved in disciplinary issues like exclusion hearings. You will need to be able to work as part of a team and be available to attend meetings.
How can you become a governor and what support will you get?
If you decide you want to become a governor, you will receive:
- Some free training.
- Information packs, books and videos on all aspects of governor’s work.
- Direct support from the local education authority.
- Support and advice via a telephone helpline called, ‘Governorline’.
- A copy of ‘Guide to the law’- from the Department of Education and Employment.
It is more than likely that you will be eligible for election as a school governor. You don't have to be a parent or carer, but you must be over eighteen years old and you can only serve on two governing bodies.
The governing body changes on a regular basis, so you should put your name forward as a candidate at your child’s school. Visit your child's school and ask for more details about the next governor election.
Alternatively you can contact your local Education Authority for further information.
We need more people of colour in governing bodies. Governor’s sit on exclusion panels and make important decisions that affect our children’s futures.
Children of colour represent more than 50% of the school population in England, yet parents and carers of colour represent less than 5% of governors.
If you are enthusiastic and willing to make a commitment, why not step up and make a difference in your community.
Do your bit to trying to raise standards in education.
‘When it comes to getting things done, we need fewer architects and more bricklayers’. Colleen C. Barrett
‘Whatever you can do, or believe you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it’. Goethe
|
