School governors

[Iminagony]

Have you been one? What was it like?
Thanks.

I'm one - what specifically do you want to know and why? Are you considering being one or are you thinking of complaining to one?

I was a governor a few years ago, you're going need to be a bit more specific in your query..

Every school is unique, what do you want to know?

Sorry.

I'm considering being one. Wanted to know what's involved really and how much input you have as one.

I do realise it's likely to vary but as I've no experience, any of yours would be helpful thanks.

Im a clerk for several different schools, you're welcome to pm me. Generally the first year is a bit more full on as there's training to do. Beyond that its attending the meetings, doing school visits and reading the paperwork. You need to provide challenge and support.

Every school is different with the amount you'd be expected to be involved though, maintained schools will need more of you than if you were a local governor for one school in a large multi academy trust.

So the most important thing to remember is that you are in a strategic role - which means it's about oversight and setting and monitoring the strateic vision of the school. Anything operational is down to the Head and Senior School Leaders. So I joke that I became a school governor to influence the afterschool clubs - that's definitely not what it's about. It's about monitoring the school development plan, agreeing the budget, ensuring the school is being well run.

Every school is a little different and depending on how the type of school you are Primary, Secondary, Local Authority, Academy means the governing arrangements are different but typically you have to attend a minumum of 3 Full Governing Board meetings a year, and around 6 committee meetings, as well as visit school a few times a year for monitoring visits. This does change and can change to fit you availabillity and skills.

I've been a gov for about 3 years and have learnt SO much about the running of a school. We have a great development programme and I've attended about 1 course a term.

It can be a very serious role - you can be involved in exclusions, recruitment, disciplinary etc But if you have a good team around you then you all work together and help each other along.

Out school has been on a massive journey and is still on the journey so we have had to put in lots more time in the last two years, but I think that is unusual - we had every single scenario happen that a GB can go through.

It is massively rewarding - it is about making things better for all the children. There are great facebook support groups too for help and advice. Feel free to PM me if you have specific questions.

I'm one. The role is to challenge the school supportively and understand the difference between strategic and operational school business eg you might decide a redundancy is necessary based on budgets but you don't get a say in who that will be. There are lots of meetings and reading to do. For me the best bit is the experience though. I'll never get to senior leader level in my job so it's good to get the chance to work at a "boardroom" level. Feel free to PM if you want to

Was about to say same thing. 1st year very full on. Lots to get up to speed with and training courses.

Generally its 1 meeting a month unless you are on any sub committees

I became a governor in July. So this is my first academic year. I’ve booked on lots of training and a specific conference for my type of school. In my area there is lots of online training too (that you can do in your own time). I’m on the full governors board and another regular committee. I will also be involved in the teachers pay Review.

Most of the main meetings are in the evening but some are during the day.

I can see how rewarding it is going to be (especially as it is a school I have no connection with - so I am a co-opted Governor).

Generally its 1 meeting a month unless you are on any sub committees

Is that right? One per month? Things have changed a lot then since I was a governor, I was a primary governor and it was 2 meetings per term, one for the full body and one on a subcommittee. How do they find enough people to be governors that can spare the time?

I'm a governor - and our school is in a large MAT. I'd agree it's at least one meeting per month, probably more if you have multiple hats eg safeguarding lead, finance lead, etc. There are school visits and you could be called up for any quorum meets eg disciplinaries, etc. If you can make it to any school events, it's nice if governors can show their faces eg special assemblies, etc. You give as much time as you can spare; people will understand if life gets in the way. Meetings (and training) are held both daytime and evenings. If your time is limited, don't agree to chair any committees.

It's both rewarding and frustrating, challenging and fun. You're serving your local community and helping to make things better for the next generation. Ask me how I feel after my first Ofsted though... I think next year is looking likely.

You give as much time as you can spare; people will understand if life gets in the way

This wasn't the view when I was a governor, during the time I served I can think of 2 other governors who were managed out because their life got in the way of too many meetings. It was very much expected that you would be able to make all the meetings, as I said above only 2 or 3 per term and I think that was a reasonable expectation as dates were set well in advance.

OP - I wouldn't assume that your school will be the same as others, better to talk to existing or past governors to find out what is expected

It depends on the school about the number of meetings. There is a big push on not over burdening teachers so less is more. But also you need to do what you need to do....

Multi academy trusts do not have governors; they may have local advisory committees who are referred to as governors but they have no legal status. Some roles may be delegated to a local committee but responsibilities remain with the Trustees. So it very much depends on what type of school you are joining.

Also, an RI school trying to recruit a new head is very different from a Good school where the head has been in post for a few years, staffing stable etc. It can be very time intensive - we have 6 full meetings a year, plus two subcommittee meetings each term and lots of reading around as well. But it’s very, very rewarding when you feel you are making a difference.

As a PP said, it’s strategic, not operational. A lot of Governing Boards struggle to get that right.

Thank you all for the replies. Very helpful.

What's involved in the application process? Do I have to sell myself as for a job interview? I'm not very good at that but I do like the sound of the role.

Are you going for parent Governor (elected) or co-opted (the GB looking for a specific skill set?)

@Iminagony it is helpful to sell yourself like a job. Don't overthink it. Just write down why it interests you, what skills you have that you think would be useful and what you can bring to the board. (Mostly enthusiasm counts for a lot). If it's as a Parent Governor and going through the election process - just follow the instructions you are given - so if they say only write 200 words max then stick to it. Don't go over. If you are keen and have some useful skills then even if you weren't to win the election for a space there are other ways of getting you onto the board. And if the first school didn't want you there are loads that would. So don't be disheartened. Well done for volunteering.