OK. So I'm interested in becoming a school governor - advice/thoughts please

[TollockyBoss]

I have to write a couple of hundred words on why I wish to apply. I'm not a big networker in the school playground but I am committed, enthusiastic, interested, and approachable.
I'm not doing it because I want kudos or to collect 'points' to get my children into the 'right' secondary school.
What sort of things should I be saying in my application thingy?

I'm also terrified that nobody will vote for me...!

So, any parent governors out there, help pep me up please.

cod? you about? Ayone else?

I had a hundred words, in which I told people who I was, and which year my children were in, what I did already for the school (classroom volunteer and PTA member), what I was particularly interested in (can't remember if there was anything) and why I thought I'd be useful (marketing experience, writing skills, time to commit as not in full-time work).

I'm not great at networking, but I did mention that I was standing to people if I knew them well enough, and I encouraged my friends to vote!

I've been a governor since January and am finding it very interesting - the first term was really watching and learning, but now I'm much more involved in my committees.

I am school govenor and I worte something about putting something back in to the local community and the skills I had to offer both organisation and time.

Unless it is a popular area they are usually crying out for school govenors and if you are really keen on it and can't get in through the parent route, approach the local LEA who have LEA appointed govenors. You can then choose the school you go to.

There are 2 vacancies and last year when there were vacancies, there 4 people standing. I can cope with failing, really I can! I just don't want to make a tit of myself IYKWIM.

I am very much a 'community minded' sort of person. My skills include writing, PR, communication skills,(only not when it comes to things like this Hah!) and erm..gardening Very interested in education, green issues and generally making sure schools are inclusive, nuturing environments.

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i am a Gov, i didn't do a written piece as it's a small school poeple know everyone.
you need to be flexible i often go in in the day time to do lesson obs and stuff then meetings in the evening.

Don't worry about making a tit out of yourself. You should have seen some of the statements of the prospective governors at our school. It sounds like you will have a good contribution to make. Go for it!

Shit! I have 50 words to nominate myself! 50 words...

Can someone write one for me???

50 is really short. Oh, well, all you can really say is who you are and why you want to be a governor.

I edited my statement really tightly so that it was 98 words, and then one of the other candidates put in a statement that was clearly over 150 words. It didn't really matter, but why give a word limit if they're not going to enforce it?

Good luck.

I just resigned as a governor (LEA) as meetings are always at 6pm- just in time for bedtime routine. This has only been a problem this year of course.
Check first when their regular meeting are!

I am a secondary school governor and was elected as 1 of 2 parent governors out of 15 applicants (which was good for my self esteem, but unexpected). I wrote about my focus on children and their experience of school. Expect to take about 2 years to work out what is going on and what your role in it is. Don't take on to many comittments for the first year and than see how you feel. It is very interesting if you like to know how things work in schools.

I was elected parent governor some years ago, much to my surprise, only to find that, unknown to me, my 2 offspring had been lobbying all their friends to tell their parents who to vote for!
In my time I have been an LEA governor, teacher governor, and am currently a community governor. How quickly you lesrn the job often depends on how open and helpful the Headteacher is prepared to be, which tells you a lot about the efficiency of the head teacher anyway.
In this area, primary schools tend to have meetings immediarely after school, secondaries later in the evening. Our secondary school is fortunate to have several very involved business people on the governing body, whose input is vital, so evening meetings are necessary. Retired wrinklies like muself contribute during the day, mentoring students, appointing staff, observing lessons, encouraging students and staff, developing policy. It is a reponible job, but very rewarding, but not financially!

thanks for all your tips and advice ~ wish me luck
(on behalf of Tollocky)