I've been asked to be a school governor but...

[Help09]

I've changed my name for this.

I have a conviction for ABH from 30 years ago when I was a teenager and stupid. I have not been in trouble since, I really was young, stupid and it scared me whit less.

I've been asked to be a school governor and I guess there will be a police check so does anyone know if this sort of thing would come out and who at school would find out about it. Its obviously something I am deeply ashamed of and I do not want it to become public knowledge.

Thanks in advance.

You will need an enhanced DBS to be a school governor. It is perfectly possible that if you are open & honest with the chair of Governors that an offence so long ago will not stop you taking on the role. Honesty is everything in a situation such as this

Thanks for the reply.

I wouldn't lie on the DBS check form I just wondered who at school would get the report do you know?

Surely it will be a spent conviction, so they won't be allowed to take it into account? They should of course keep it confidential.

It's a spent conviction but will show up on a DBS check. Be open and honest and your circumstances will be taken into account.

I think if you are on the barred list (For working with children) it shows up

other wise the school - normally an admin person with HR responsibility - just gets told there is something on the the certificate and then the head or chair of governors will ask to see the certificate and speak to you about it in deciding if its ok for you to perform your function.

Because it would be an enhanced DBS for childcare workforce then it will show up.

That does not mean that it would stop you being a governor, the rules on that are set out here and relate to how long ago it was and the sentence given. Those discussions would normally be had with HR at the school or the clerk to the governors, there is no reason anyone else should be informed.

I would suggest if you do not want it to become public knowledge you don't become a Governor. As others have said this will show up on an enhanced DBS. You can support the school in other ways

The admin personnel person who applies for the check, the headteacher and the chair of governors will see it. All should be more than aware of confidentiality issues around sensitive information. It will not become public knowledge.

I would speak to the Chair of Governors and say to them that you have a spent conviction from 30 years ago and in the spirit of being open and honest they need to know this. You can then ask them whether it will make any difference to your application to be a governor.
Frankly it should not make a difference and as a Chair a spent conviction 30 years ago for ABH would not worry me. Other convictions I would be much less happy about, as I would a conviction in the last 5 years for ABH or local knowledge that you still had a capacity to be a bit of a handful at times.

I would not become a governor if you don’t want this uncovered.

Thanks for all your opinions.

I have since found out that the results of the check come to me first so I can prepare myself for a conversation.

I have in the meantime spoken to the chair of the governors who was really good about it and said it can stay between me and him.