Do independent schools have Parent Governors, or not?

[legacy]

That's it really.

I like our school a lot, but there are a few things where I think the parents' voices need to be considered more, and I'm not aware of there being a 'collective' forum for this.

For example, the PTA funds raiseds aren't handled separately, but just go into a 'school account', and the Head seems to have total jurisdiction over how they are spent.

I just wondered if independent schools are allowed to operate in a different way, without any need for parent governanace input?

Yes they are.

The governance arrangements for an independent depend on how it was set up. Some are actually businesses owned by proprietors. Others are charities with various constitutions.

There MAY be a board of Governors. Quite often, if there is a board, ex pupils are involved.

There is no set rule tho'

Yes, in our school they do. They also have a parent's association, which is mostly parents with a couple of school staff. Max time a parent can be on there is 2 years, meetings are twice a term, and at the meeting fundraising ideas are discussed, and how money raised is allocated. It works really well, and was a good way for me to meet people when I was a new parent. If you have the energy to try and set it up, it may be worth considering....

Thanks for these. We do already have a parent association, and we have class rep meetings once a term, but I think these are a bit 'passive' really - all about cake sales and book club.
The head just seems to say 'that's what we're going to spend the money on' and that's that.

Get thee on to the parent association and liven it up, (if you're not there already that is!). Our assoc was pretty active - can you rope in some like minded individuals and try and get it going a bit? It depends on how strongly you feel and whether you're prepared to give it a go, but it sounds as if it's all got a bit cosy. It can be hard to change things though, and I suppose it's possible you may upset people - but if you feel strongly enough that something isn't right then you have to show them a better way (do I sound like a religious evangelist there?!)

Yes, there are parent governors along with a separate Parents Association at our school. Plus we have Class Reps too.

HTH

dd's does, I know because I nearly became one