To really hate being a school governor and want to step down after two years

[kevinknowsimmiserabletho]

My DC are all grown up and as I have more time on my hands these days I volunteered to be a governor at the school they attended.

I've been doing it for two years now, so I feel I've really given it a go.

But honestly, I hate it.

I don't mind attending meetings etc and giving my time it's not the hard work element as such. Just the actual make up of the board and the fact that I seem to be there to be a bum on a seat rather than because anyone is paying attention to anything I have to say.

I feel like it's a lot of responsibility but I can hardly influence anything at all and have to go along with the status quo or upset the clique of people who have been there for years.

It's a four year time but honestly I feel so miserable I just want to stand down.

WIBU just to go? If it was a job I would have resigned by now.

I have been a governor for 12 years and have felt I made a difference. No cliques, the head welcomed challenge, had an Ofsted inspection so think I did my time !
It’s not for everyone and I have seen many governors come and go.

I was a school governor for a 4 year term. I that time one governor left after two years because their work commitments increased, and one left after a couple of weeks because they realised that actually it wasn't going to suit them after all. It is a voluntary role, you don't owe anyone anything. Come up with a plausible excuse if it makes you feel less self conscious about leaving, but you are absolutely under no obligation whatsoever to stay.

Reading with interest. I’ve just become a School Governor, I have my first meeting next week 😬

A couple of years is more than adequate. I did it for about five years and that was more than enough. It is fairly thankless and governors have v limited input. I think many people think it will involve more decision making influence than is actually the case.

dont do it then

I think you also need to be aware that the governors role is meant to be more strategic than operational. I think in practice the chair and the head work closely. The parent governors are mostly there to box tick and make up the numbers.

I think you should politely tell then the real reason. That you feel ignored and overlooked.

Thanks, I'm aware it's a strategic role but thank you.

I can’t remember the exact committee @RedLollyYellowLorry but I can’t assure you it was an appropriate question. Better?

*can even. FFS

Thanks, I have genuinely thought about this but I think that if I do that they will sense that I'm trying to leave and try to make me stay but I think I'm past wanting to stay.

It is good advice you're offering, I know, but I think it would be less drama if I just left.

Thanks! I think that's the gist of the thread all round!

Thanks, that makes me feel better about having given it a go.

Some people have clearly had really rewarding experiences so please don't let mine put you off!

Thank you, I appreciate that. I needed to hear it.

That's brilliant! I'm pleased you had that experience it's good to know it can be positive.

I am a governor and it is hard work. There are different personalities on the board. However, we are able to challenge and differing views are offered. Ofsted recently said it was clear that our board is effective and challenging.
You are supposed to visit the school and view what's going on.
If you're concerned by anything, tell Ofsted or the local authority.
If you do leave tell them why and include the clerk so that it's on file. Essentially drop them in it. Remember, if governing isn't effective it harms the children.

This is really interesting and makes me wonder about any regrets I may end up with so thank you!

Thanks. I've had the horrible experience of whistleblowing re: safeguarding in a work capacity before and was bullied out of my job. I know I've got some leftover feelings around that and I definitely hate the feeling that they're closing ranks, if that makes sense.

Another reason this is probably not good for my stress levels.

Have tried to reply to all the messages but also cooking dinner so I'm so sorry if there are any I've missed, I really do appreciate all the replies thank you for posting.

Do it.

I was a governor and stepped down after 2 years as well (out of 4) because I couldn't stand it any longer.

Absolutely no regrets at all!

Op, just resign
I was a school governor for three years and stopped because I didn’t want to devote anymore of my precious time to a school where the head didn’t appreciate the efforts of the governors.

Thank you! This is honestly the kind of story I like to hear!!

Thank you, I need to hear this!!

That's rubbish. As a Chair, I struggled to get other governors to take responsibility for things, not just turn up to meetings to tick boxes. Sadly some people - mostly the parent governors - found themselves to be inexplicably far too busy when asked to move up and do stuff 🙄. If everything is happening in private between the Chair and Head, the board is doing governing wrong. It was like this on my board when I started: the Chair was incredibly controlling. Unfortunately no one really wanted the hassle of challenging her... I became Chair when she stood down and via a serious of unfortunate events.

I think there is a difference between the potential impact of governors in a maintained school v an academy. I wouldn't bother in the latter.

I don't regret doing two terms of office, while my children were at the school, but it was immensely stressful and I was treated very badly by the Head. Only when I stood down did I realise from the weight lifting how corrosive it had been.

If you're not getting something positive out of it, I would just walk away. Life is too short - and I've come to the conclusion that volunteering is very often a mug's game.