Advice on personal statement - parent governor

[Feenie]

Right, have no idea what to put. I am actually a staff governor at my own school, and have been for many years, but I want to get involved in the same at my ds's school (he is in Reception) and a post has just come up.

If I was elected, I would have to resign as governor at my school, obviously, as I don't have the time to do both.

What on earth do I put in my personal statement? I have no idea how to write one as a parent . Can anyone help please?

[HecateQueenOfWitches]

I have read loads of these come election times

I can only tell you what I like to read - what you can do for the school and the kids!

I've read some that go on about how great they are, their job, the fact they're a high flyer, have their own business etc etc all the things they've done....

I never vote for them. I vote for the ones who say what they want to do for the children, how they can give of themselves.

[Talkinpeace]

What can you offer the school?
Experience related to schools, financial governance, local area
Hobbies - be human

it got me in as a governor !

[Feenie]

That's useful, Hecate, but hard - I don't know enough about the school to know what the governing body could do for the children, that's why I would like to get on the governing body. I'd like to think I could use my work experience to give something to my ds's school - and that it wouldn't feel the same as being at work, ifyswim. .

[Feenie]

God, I have no time for hobbies, Talkinpeace! Teaching, being a mum and reading take up all my time.

Does MNing count as a hobby?

[snice]

i want to know how many children you have at the school/what ages as I might not have heard of you IYSWIM

[Talkinpeace]

Feenie
MN most certainly counts as a hobby.
I got sucked into this web site guff reading the eBay business board as CPD!

[daylightdreaming]

I'm a parent governor. When I wrote my piece I did a general piece about my commitment to the school (local for x amount of years, DS in reception etc), most on my workplace skills and experience that I thought would be relevant and finally a bit about wanting to represent the views of parents and support the staff.

I should think that your experience at your own school will be very motivating to other parents when it comes to voting as you'll understand so much about how things work plus being able to bring the parent perspective - a killer combination I reckon.

[Feenie]

Ooh, that's good, daylight, thanks.

[ThingOne]

I vote for the ones who can show they've done something relevant in their professional (or voluntary) life. I want people who will challenge the management team constructively and not be backwards in representing the views of parents. I don't look for "nice" people, but those who can demonstrate competence.

[Feenie]

Oh good grief, they want a photo.

[MaudOHara]

I agree with everything ThingOne said - definately want someone who is not afraid to challenge the school.

[Feenie]

Thanks all, v v helpful. Have completed app without photo - am hoping I am the only one, so it won't be necessary!

[daylightdreaming]

Ooh I think you might need a photo. When our election happened there was only one without a photo and it seemed odd when you saw everyone else's. It's so everyone can see you're nice!

[daylightdreaming]

And don't know if you put anything in about being challenging but it might be more diplomatic to talk about supporting staff to ensure school achieves all it can etc. Same sentiment but less confrontational

[Feenie]

I did, daylight, thanks. We have never used photos! Will keep it back till I can find one

[NoahAndTheWhale]

Found this thread as I am thinking about trying to be a parent governor.

A vacancy has come up at DS and DD's school and I need to decide by Wednesday (and hand in my two or three sentences about myself).

Not sure what I have to offer though. We moved here in June, I help in both DS and DD's classes, I have a deep interest in many aspects of education, am a trained accountant and would like to think I could be a useful governor.

Not sure that is quite enough to get me voted onto the board though :)

I will keep thinking.

[Feenie]

Accounting is incredibly useful on a governing body - we would be desperate to have you at our school.

[NoahAndTheWhale]

I will definitely mention that one then :)

I haven't worked in accountancy practice for a couple of years but do some work connected with it.

Suppose as it is the parents who would be voting for me if I do put my name down, I want to appeal to them.

Anyway, nothing ventured, nothing gained :)

[Feenie]

Good luck

[NoahAndTheWhale]

And you :)

Have you handed your application in? Ours hasn't mentioned a photo so I am hoping there is no need for one

[Feenie]

No, has to be on Friday 26th so am racking my brains as to which photo (am ridiculously fussy and hate most photos of myself!) and also am now dithering and reconsidering my statement.


I will most definitely apply though!

[DanFmDorking]

I agree with most of the previous statements.
Include the skills and talents you can bring to the school.
Accountancy is certainly a very useful and important skill for the Governing body and, of course, your ?deep interest in all aspects of Education?. If you are involved with the PTA then include it.

Also, I would include something like ?because my youngest child is ?x?yrs old I?m going to be involved in the school for the next ?x? years?. Parents are reluctant to vote for someone whose youngest child is in the last (on next to last) year because they?ll leave after a short time.

Good Luck

[NoahAndTheWhale]

Well, handed mine in on Tuesday afternoon so shall see what comes of it :)

[NoahAndTheWhale]

Ballot papers came home today - there are three of us. Votes have to be in by 6th December and I am going to be away from home from this Monday evening until late on the 6th.

Have the feeling I am not going to win . But glad I gave it a go.

[Feenie]

Good for you - hope you win! Banged mine in today, so don't know yet.