Not a governor anymore... advantages?

[boschy]

I've been a parent gov at my DDs' school for the last 4 years. did not succeed in being re-elected (my 'manifesto' was child-centred; the other 3 candidates focussed on their professional qualifications, eg accountancy, finance management etc). I do think I will be missed - I work freelance, so exclusion panels/lesson obs/et which happen in the daytime were easy for me to do, whereas 3 of the 4 candidates are not based in our area.

So, although I am slightly gutted to miss out on the experience of being on the inside track as it were, I am trying to think of the advantages: eg I have immediately resigned as chair of the PTA (on grounds that head wanted a gov on PTA - I will help out with events though, but delighted not to chair/go to PTA meetings). Am also thinking that I can complain, should I need to, without any requirement to consider my governor role, which has both helped and hindered me in the past.

Any more former governors got any thoughts? do you miss it, or are you quite relieved?

Clerktogovernors.co.uk summary on this:

"Governors are not expected to undertake lesson observations, unless the school has clear protocols for visits so their purposes are understood by school staff and governors alike (see reference) However, they hold important strategic responsibilities for the development and improvement of the school"

Fair enough. Ours had clear protocols.

yes, what lougle's quote said.

cba to argue about pta again... 2 separate bodies, I was not parachuted in by megalomaniac head against wishes of every willing existing PTA in order to exert governor stranglehold on PTA. we spent the money how we wanted, no interference.

This has been an interesting thread. I am in the process of handing over some of my responsibilities after having been a governor nearly 8 years now. I am a community governor so can stay as long as I want (or as long as they'll have me which I believe are the same thing).

Although I said I would not sign up to another 4 yr term when this one ends in a couple of months, I seem to have ended up agreeing to be an associate governor for a while longer in order to mentor the new chair of finance (who is a new governor specifically sought out for finance skills to replace me). I am an accountant and have been chair of finance for 7 of my 8 years.

I would agree that being a governor is often a thankless task and I can't remember many (if any?) occasions when anyone has thanked us for many many hours and an awful lot of responsibility. It does irk me that we seem to be expected to constantly praise and thank staff for doing things such as turning up at the odd meeting at 6.30pm due to the effect on their work life balance when we've all dashed there from work not being able to have dinner etc!

I have also just resigned as vice chair and had to handle the head resigning while the chair was on holiday a few years back, that and all the subsequent process of recruiting a new head is a massive responsibility for volunteers to undertake.

I am also a parent at the school and my youngest is now in year 5. My involvement with the school as a whole will wain off over the next year or so. I've done my share and feel it is now other's turn.

I do find it rather odd already now, as there were a lot of discussions I would be involved in as chair of finance which I am no longer involved in. I also no longer help in class but did for a day a week for the last 7 years (the reason for not helping is practical rather than me just deciding not to).

It is a definite process of letting go, although non governors would never understand that. I have invested many many hundreds (probably a couple of thousand) of hours in helping the school succeed (and yes of course that benefits my children) over the years and in a way it's like my 'baby'.

I am doing it gradually but it is very strange to think in 18mths time i won't have anything at all to do with the school. I work for myself so can be very flexible, I think I will need to find something else to take its place.

Sorry this has been a complete ramble but OP I get exactly where you're coming from. Ignore the 'well you weren't good enough then comments' from people who clearly don't have much idea of what is involved and the investment it takes in time and effort to be an effective governor.

I agree wholeheartedly that it is an investment of yourself, not just a 'hobby' (unless you're not doing it sincerely).

You can't be a parent and a governor - once you are a governor, that's it. You can't help but view the school through a governor's eyes.

"It is a definite process of letting go, although non governors would never understand that."

totally agree with that. having been part of something you do have to disengage from it, but I think I'm getting there. (no more trekking out for 3 hour meetings in the evenings when havent seen DH for more than 5 mins in the last 3 days!)

nickname I just reread your post. I am sure they will really miss you - but in contrast to other suggestions on this thread I wont suggest "be a gov somewhere else", how about doing something completey different?!! I do (a very small amount of) voluntary work in the corporate fundraising dept of a local animal charity - completely different, no actual responsibilities, but still worthwhile.

There are all sorts of things you could do that would really help people. I've just joined my LA's Independent Admissions Appeal panel.

I was thinking of becoming a magistrate as it's always been something that has interested me since my dad was one whilst I was growing up and I have always intended to do when I was older. Unfortunately the two counties I border are not currently recruiting.

I looked into becoming a special constable but there is an awful lot of training commitment and also a fear that I'd end up dealing solely with drunks on a Saturday night. DH also wasn't too keen.

I also thought about the local food bank which is fairly new. I was put off though by the application form where they asked to list skills and experience, I don't really want to do accountancy/ bookkeeping, I want to do something completely different.

I think I may try a year or so off volunteering and then see if I can apply as a magistrate (and of course whether or not I get accepted).

I am lucky in that I work for myself so can be flexible but do need to balance work and volunteering.

How do you find out about things like the LA independent admissions appeal committee and if they have any vacancies?

I was a governor for a long while and then a Chair for a long while - it had got to the relentless stage and was pretty much all I thought about. When I quit I felt immense relief - I thought I'd really miss it, and was surprised how little I did. I can see that you must be feeling pretty flat and deflated now - but it will pass. It's good that you've got other interests/routes to pursue. And you never know what's around the corner - the knowledge I gained through Chairing undoubtedly got me the job I have now.

nickname - years ago I was accepted to be a police station visitor (cant remember what they're actually called, but you go in to make sure people being held are being treated right). DH had the same reservations as yours; I also was frightened by the induction course and so decided against.

whatever you end up doing you will undoubtedly be making a good contribution to society; whether that is appreciated or not I dont know! I had a one line email from our head; nothing from other govs; met one of them at school at a concert the other night and she was horrified to hear I was not re elected. our ex chair has been in touch, but basically that's it. c'est la vie.

whatever you end up doing you will undoubtedly be making a good contribution to society; whether that is appreciated or not I dont know!

That's the thing! At least we know we're trying to do our bit, which is appreciated by those of us that think it's important, if not by the general public.

I'm sad for you that you've had so little thanks but don't expect much more myself when the time comes to finally give it up.

I hope you find something else that interests you.

something funny... DD2 was dancing in a show tonight, and we had VIP tickets (invite issued while I was still a gov). I should say that our school is a performing arts specialist, so tickets are highly sought after. DH was sitting next to a woman, and he made small talk - she said "Oh I've waited years and years to get a front row seat!" - she was my replacement as parent gov. it made me laugh, becoz of course although front row seats are great, it wasnt one of the reasons I went into being a gov. not to say I wont miss them of course, but it really hadnt crossed my mind at the start!

When I was a governor I never sat in the front row seat, although one was reserved for me. I was an LA governor and I thought a parent deserved it more! Some people just like the 'extras"! She might bake nice cakes too!

well... a bit of an update. the chair phoned me on Friday, and asked if I would come back as a governor because they really need my time and expertise. she also said she'd never said an official goodbye, because she was a. really upset and b. was sure there was a way round it!

so I've said yes, after caveats about being sure they did actually need me, and that I wouldnt be in a position of treading on the feet of the newbies. (we are an academy, which means a certain amount of freedom in appointing govs)

back to the meetings!

not sure about newbies not being up to scratch, more like they are newbies so need to learn; and their lack of availability! we are pretty ofsted safe at the mo, as got 'good' under new tougher framework last jan [christmas emoticon] but yes, I am quite happy to do it again.

That's nice that they want you.

How nice. It must be a great ego boost to be asked back [genuine, not being snidey]. It always pays to make a dignified exit; it leaves doors open.