I had a serious complaint about the Head of my school which went through the School's Complaints process ending in a Board of Governors panel hearing. Whilst I have no doubt most Governors are well intentioned, community spirited people, the process did make me question it they are qualified to be the only and final port of call a parent can go to with a complaint for the following reasons:-
- Experience. They do not necessarily have any experience in education whatsoever or the complex matters involved.
- Impartiality. In the case of my school the BoG's were responsible for appointing the Head - who likes to admit they may have made a mistake?
- Objectivity. Many Governors are parents themselves which has both pros and cons. At the school in question, the Chair alone has five children and many years to go at the school. On one hand this is good as they have a vested interest in the success of the school, but on the otherhand it would be a brave parent to take on a Head who has power over their childrens' education and well-being.
- Unbiased. The Board have to work closely with the Head, a person in a position of power, it is human nature to side with a known entity who you have an on-going relationship with.
- Involved. In my case the Governors were implicated to a small degree, so to an extent they were handling their own complaint.
Basically I find it frightening that a bunch of volunteers can make judgments affecting childrens' education and their say is final - I was shocked to find there is no independent, impartial body you can take a school compliant to.
I'd love to hear any other experiences with BoG's - good or bad!