To think I was asked to be a governor as "window dressing"

[Ghanagirl]

Hi just wanted some opinions, I was asked by our vicar to be a foundation governor of my kids primary school, I've been doing it for a year now but don't feel we (non teaching or clergy govrernors) are really part of the decision making process, and that basically whatever the chair of governors(vicar) and head teacher decide goes. Part of me doesn't have a problem with this but there are one or two issues were I felt quite strongly and felt I wasn't taken seriously at all. Feel that they want to say that the schools governing body reflects school diversity and that's why I was asked, thinking about standing down because its hard finding someone to look after twins when I attend meetings if I felt I was truly contributing it would be worth the effort, would like to hear what others think.

Do you just go to meetings or are you actively involved in the school ?
I found that when I got more involved in the school then the head took my opinions on board a lot more. I'm in the school for half a day most weeks just helping out either in classes or doing admin bits like updating boring policies etc

Not saying its the right or wrong way to treat governors by the head but I think head needs to know you are serious about the role and then they will take you seriously

I know I am lucky that I can afford to work part time so have the ability to do this.

Why don;t you say exactly that at a governors meeting?

It isn't being well chaired or well run if any member feels their pov is not acknowledged.

It could well be tokenism.

wrt to standing down it depends how strongly you feel you want to push for change. You could suggest that the Governors do a skills audit - everyone gives their specialism and experience, and ask particularly why you were invited. If there is a member who you think DOES listen to you, then could you ask how included they feel, and ask for their perspective on how your issues were treated.

Whether you go or stay I think it is important that they get some understanding that tokenism is wrong and destructive and that they need to think v carefully about what diversity actually means.

Thanks, you've given me food for thought, it's almost like we attend meetings the head gives us information that her and the chair have previously discussed and then if there's an issue to vote on everyone votes in line with the head. It's a church school so the clergy are involved, my first meeting the chair said that most governing bodies are overwhelming "White middle aged men" and that he was proud that ours is more diverse, I do attend meetings and am on PTA but still feel like I'm just making up numbers