School governors - what would you like them to do for your school?

[yoyo]

I have applied to be a governor at my children's school but as there are three of us in the running for two positions the decision is made by ballot. I now have to provide a description of myself and state my reasons for wanting to become a governor.

I have the usual list but wondered if there was anything specific that should be mentioned.

Thanks for any help.

[yoyo]

Anyone? I have to hand in my statement today!!

[Twiglett]

difficult to say without knowing what needs doing

things to consider that should be within the governer's remit

capital investment - anything need fixing, updating?

profile - how well is the school thought of

discipline and behaviour of pupils

effectiveness of teaching staff

school dinners

SN provision

depends what your bugbears are with the school

[Tommy]

links with the local community
good working relationship with the Head
toatl commitment to the school
agree with Twiglett - good public profile of school
Specific local needs

[yoyo]

Thanks both of you. I will include your suggestions but make them specific to the school. Have to get it done by midday so best get cracking on redrafting! Wish me luck!

[dottee]

Oh stuff it! I've only just seen this post!

I'm a Governor and have recently done a course.

For reference, the course split into 3 parts (and we've been 'Ofsteded' 2 weeks ago when the inspectors referred to these):

1. Effectiveness of Governance
   
2. Being a 'critical friend'
   
3. Accountability of Governance
   
   Have a look at sites like this.

[yoyo]

Thanks for that Dottee. I will wait and see what happens with the ballot. Felt I rushed the statement in the end.

Did you see that one of the Teaching Unions is trying to have the number of parents on governing bodies reduced? They said that the majority of parents only have the intersts of their own children in mind!

[Shirlz2003]

OOh Good Luck Yoyo!

It's great being a Governor but NOT easy - lots of reading, writing, research and talking. Lots of meetings and training courses, but it's all so worth it to have this kind of input into a school, whether it is your own child's school or not.

I had read that about parent governors - www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2005/05/03/nscho103.xml&sSheet=/news/2005/05/03/ixnewstop.html - interesting train of thought huh?!

[allatsea]

Have you thought of being a governor at another school? If you contact your LEA they will let you know about any other governor vacancies in your area (and may make you better prepared for when a vacancy comes up again at your school)

[yoyo]

I was successful so now the work starts!

Thanks for the support.

[roisin]

Congratulations! Hope you enjoy it!

Dh went on an 'introduction to being a Governor' training day, which he found really helpful. If you get such an opportunity, do take it up.

[Ailsa]

Congratulations yoyo, I've been a parent governor for 12mths now and have thouroughly enjoyed it.