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Original poster

Can a parent improve a school's fortunes?

37 replies

Fruitflylady · 03/05/2017 19:03

My DS will be starting at a local secondary that 'requires improvement'. It was his choice and he's happy to be going there, but the school seems disadvantaged compared to many in the local area. My question is, what can I as a parent do to help this school, if anything?

OP posts:
Original poster
Fruitflylady · 04/05/2017 17:30

This is rather disheartening. There must be more people can do to help schools than just been a governor...?
Bojorojo; yes we went into this with our eyes open, but to be fair the only real choice was between two schools requiring improvement. Our closest (outstanding) school is catholic.
I'd like to feel I could do something to redress the imbalance between the schools in this area. It's not fair on the kids.

OP posts:
bojorojo · 04/05/2017 10:37

Co-opted Governors are part of the set number of Governors for a school as agreed by the Governing Body. They are co-opted for their skills. They are not extras. Extra Governors are Associate Governors and some schools have loads of them, often staff! There is no reason why a school cannot have an Associate Governor with relevant skills though and, especially if the skills are mssing from the GB, they are encouraged to do this.

LeggyMeggy · 04/05/2017 09:29

If you're interested in being a governor, you don't have to wait for a vacancy. Write up your skills and demonstrate what you could offer the governing body. A good governing body should have regular skills audits and if you fill a need, there may be an option for them to co-opt you into the GB (numbers allowing). It's a misconception that if you're a parent you can only be a parent governor.

bojorojo · 03/05/2017 22:56

I would try and become a Governor but if it is RI they really need people who know what they are doing to improve it rapidly. A vague "o want to help" just isn't enough these days. I assume you knew it wasn't the bees knees but your DS aged 11 made the final choice? What did he know?

YoniFucker · 03/05/2017 22:18

The simplest thing is simply to support the school. Follow the uniform rules, sign planners, ensure your DC has all the equipment they need for the lesson, send letters back promptly, make (and stick to) parents' evening appointments, etc. If you think you have specific skills that could help the school then make an appointment with the relevant head of department and ask if there's anything you could support with.

Leeds2 · 03/05/2017 22:12

You could offer to run an after school science club. Not sure if you would be allowed to though, or whether it would be stressful trying to keep the DC in order if you have no training how to do so! This sort of thing happened frequently at my DD's primary, but not sure if it would be the same at secondary.
I guess you could offer to do the more mundane tasks that the staff don't have the time for, such as photocopying or "minding" the library during a lunch time but, again, I'm not sure if they have those sorts of roles in secondary. As Teen suggests, listening to readers might be welcomed.

TeenAndTween · 03/05/2017 21:06

I very much doubt you can 'help out with science' at secondary, but you never know I guess.

You may be able to listen to struggling readers though.

Original poster
Fruitflylady · 03/05/2017 20:41

Thanks, guess I'll look out for the next governor vacancy!
I had thought of offering to help out with science at the school, has anyone done this sort of thing at a school when they aren't a teacher themselves?

OP posts:
redexpat · 03/05/2017 19:42

What skills do you have? Take those skills and lay them at the disposal of the pta and or governors.

springflowers11 · 03/05/2017 19:14

Some governors seem to be really good at sourcing funding

TeenAndTween · 03/05/2017 19:13

You could put yourself up for parent governor if you have the time / interest.

If there is a PTA that helps raise funds, you can join it.

You can ask questions of the teachers which might help them uncover where their communication etc isn't quite good enough (and when appropriate feedback praise).

You can support the school by supporting your child.

But ultimately if not a governor I don't think there is much you can really do of any note.

froomeonthebroom · 03/05/2017 19:10

Become a governor