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Original poster

Becoming a school governor. Am I mad to even consider it?

17 replies

nkf · 19/05/2008 10:12

I'm pretty busy but I know the school has had trouble finding a parent governor so I was thinking of volunteering. Is it a very big commitment?

OP posts:
themildmanneredjanitor · 19/05/2008 10:13

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FluffyMummy123 · 19/05/2008 10:16

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themildmanneredjanitor · 19/05/2008 10:17

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Original poster
nkf · 19/05/2008 10:20

Do the meetings tend to be in the evening? .

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themildmanneredjanitor · 19/05/2008 10:22

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leosdad · 19/05/2008 10:28

Depends how much difference you could make, at our school I wonder why they bother having a governing body as the headteacher runs an autocracy (?dictatorship) with the chair nodding everything through, rest of governors are lovely people but basically get ignored.

themildmanneredjanitor · 19/05/2008 10:31

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FluffyMummy123 · 19/05/2008 10:31

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geekgirl · 19/05/2008 10:36

its not too bad time-wise, and I think I'm pretty dedicated. I'm on a couple of committees so have those meetings in addition to the main ones, but it's mostly interesting stuff (I get to review the sex ed policy this week!). I think I got 5 meetings per term in total, and go into school for other stuff maybe twice per term.
Don't really do much at home, I'm the clerk for one of the committees so write up the minutes (takes 15 minutes) and obviously I have to watch all the sex ed stuff this week.

I really like being a governor, you feel part of the school so much more.

FluffyMummy123 · 19/05/2008 10:36

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FluffyMummy123 · 19/05/2008 10:37

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geekgirl · 19/05/2008 10:40

yes, and you get to decide whether your head deserves a pay rise

themildmanneredjanitor · 19/05/2008 10:41

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leosdad · 19/05/2008 10:43

was in past but good friends tell me things have not changed, voluntary aided school so governors should have more input and responsibility. The attitude of the governing body (well head teacher) seems to be if you don't like things you can go to another school and any letters from parents to chair of governors are met with that sort of attitude.

llareggub · 28/05/2008 20:09

I've just been appointed as an LEA governor and I'm really looking forward to it. I've been sent a pack of leaflets, one outlining how to prepare for my first meeting, the second outlining the role of the governor and the third talks about how to find out more about the school.

I've also been sent the development programme for governors and clerks and I'm expected to undergo an induction, which can be followed up by a 6 week foundation course in governance.

The support I'm getting to undertake the role effectively looks great. Not sure when the first meeting is but hopefully I'll get to attend something before the school holidays.

Original poster
nkf · 28/05/2008 20:10

I realise I'm mad to even think of it. Just too much commitment for me right now. Shame.

OP posts:
llareggub · 28/05/2008 20:25

Wht mad? Go for it!

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