Governor at 2 schools. Conflict or opportunity?

[StraightOnTillMorning]

Would you see it as a conflict for someone to be a Governor at two (good, oversubscribed) secondary schools in the same area, with slightly overlapping catchments? Or is it an opportunity for the schools to share good practice and work in partnership? The answer clearly depends on the attitude of the Heads and other Governors, but I'm wondering if others have experience of it.

[EmmaGellerGreen]

No personal experience but on a recent training course, it was discussed and generally considered a good thing in terms of cross learning and spreading best practise.

[GingerMaman]

I think there would be a conflict of interest.

[SapphireMoon]

Sounds good to me.
As long as you are working in best interests of both schools, no issue.

[ComeIntoTheGardenMaud]

I don't see it as a conflict if interest, but, to give proper attention to the governor role, it takes a lot of time and I would doubt that anyone had sufficient time to do a good job as a governor at two schools.

[really1234]

I am a governor in one school, and our chair is also governor at another local school. She also sits on the County advisory governor list so is usually also an advisory governor at a third school at any given time. The third school being a "failing school" who the county need to support.

It is generally viewed as a good thing. The lady I am referring to does not have any children left at school.

[ReallyTired]

I don't think that there would be a conflict of interest. Schools are there to educate their chidlren and (in theory) not in competition with each other.

Being a governor is a very time consuming job.

[TooBusyByHalf]

When I was a governor there were at least 2 other governors who were also governors at at least one other local school (primaries in all cases). One was Chair of ours and on two others. But he was retired from his day job, very experienced and useful to all the schools. Not to be recommended imo if you have another job as well as the time commitment would be too much! I don't see any conflict though - more likely an opportunity for both schools.

[Effic]

Fantastic opportunity to share good practice and develop partnership working ~ there never a conflict of interest ~ schools are not businesses and should not be in competition with each other. Since 5 local schools in a very challenging area in my town started working closely together, sharing cps, gov expertise etc they have all managed good/outstanding rather than satisfactory!