Applying for job at your children's school where you are a Governor

[baabi]

I am at the end of my PGCE and applying for jobs as a NQT at the moment. A position just came up in my children's school which is just what I am looking for however I am unsure of what to do. My Link Tutor advises against it but everybody else things I should go for it. On one side it would be great, it is close to home and I know the school well as I have worked there as a volunteer. The position is in Early Years and my children are at Upper KS2 so no conflict there but I feel slightly uneasy about it with being a Governor as well. Will it be perceived as taking advantage?

Has anybody been in this position that could give some insight about the pros and the cons? If I do decide to apply what can I do with my personal statement, as it feels that I am telling them something that they already know!

Any advice would be welcomed, thanks.

[rumtumtugger]

Have you got a good relationship with the head? It'd be a good idea to get his/her read on the situation, what sort of things they are looking for etc. You may need to think about resigning as a governor if it becomes a conflict

[rumtumtugger]

Sorry, baby got hold of phone! ...Conflict of interest. Or you may be able to switch to being a staff governor if there is a vacancy.

[baabi]

Thank you for your reply. Yes, I do have a very good relationship with the head he is the one that encouraged me to do the PGCE when I volunteered and I have kept him updated of what I have been doing. I spoke to him and he did say he thought I would be interested but no more than that, could not read him either way! He is very good at keeping his opinions to himself and is very careful not to show favouritism, which I appreciate.
I suppose I could become a staff Governor, if possible, although we are already short of parent governors. Not sure if I could just switch.

What to do, what to do...the position is just what I am looking for and there are not many Early Year vacancies around here. Of course it will be even more awkward if I don't get the job...

[TheWoollybacksWife]

You would need to check if you could continue as a Parent Governor. At my school a Governor changed status from Parent to Staff Governor as there was a restriction on being a Parent Governor if you work more than 500 hours at the school. This was a VA school but I believe that this restriction applies in all schools (not sure about academies)

[Soz8]

I would go for it. As the Head said he thought you would be interested, it means that you would be considered for the job and it has crossed his mind. There is nothing lost! Good luck!

[Maidupmum]

I'm a HT who took on a Governor for an EYFS job & that didn't end well )but that's another story).
If nothing else, view it as a great opportunity to have a go at an interview which will stand you in good stead for other jobs.

[anchovies]

Definitely apply, can't believe the head would have said that if he had a problem with you applying! You have a great chance as you know the ethos of the school :) Nothing to lose, just make sure you're pragmatic about the situation if you don't get it.

[NCFTTB]

I'd go for it. You've got nothing to lose!

[4happyhours]

I'd offer to resign as a Gov if you get it ... It's hard being in power like that with your kids in a school where you teach because of other people's perceptions and the way they may treat your kids. Our kids have struggled with being in school where Dad is Headmaster ... Eldest moved schools pretty much as a result (and other things made the move a sensible one too) as other parents, staff and kids didn't know how to treat him. It was making him very boring as he felt he had to keep squeaky clean all the time. Too much pressure! I believe it's easier if you aren't perceived to be in power, as other teachers who aren't management work it ok.

[Soz8]

Did you apply for the job??