Parent governor - what do they do?

[SmileAndNod]

What qualities do you need to stand as one? Dh has suggested that I may like to on what basis I have no clue, the last time he's put on book bag duty but I have quite a dim view of myself and don't feel I have anything to offer. I mean, I'm interested in my children's education, I support the school by going to events, have a degree in a kind of relevant background but that's about it. I'm a SAHM and I don't have any workplace skills that I used to have before I gave up a couple of years ago.

So what type of people make good parent governors? Just in case I get around to it in the future!

Oh I was one a few years ago, just wanted something to put on my cv

Sod all IME

And it was boring so I left after a few months

You jest I hope Gary...
A willingness to put time in and work in the interests of the school a great start.
Look on school website and see if they have minutes in governor section which may give you an idea what it is all about.
Also talk to the clerk of governors who should be able to help too with information.
Failing that speak to a current parent governor or the Chair maybe.
Good luck.

Being a Governor varies slightly from school to school. The main thing is ‘time and commitment’. You should think of the Governor meetings as meetings that you must attend and arrange your social/work life around them. You should attend the training sessions that your Local Authority provides.

School Governors are the biggest volunteer organisation in the UK. We estimate that it takes up about 35hrs per year although, of course, it depends on how involved you want to be.

Governors deal with Budgets, Policies, Targets and things which are 'a step away' from the 'day to day' running of the school.
Any question like 'My child doesn't ... isn't ... can't ...' is not for a Governors meeting.

School Governors do not run the school; they are there to take an overview and see that it delivers.

In all types of schools, governing bodies should have a strong focus on three core strategic functions:
a. Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction;
b. Holding the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils; and
c. Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.

Sometimes one can get involved with sacking/redundancies and discipline matters.

Some useful sites: UK Governors Forum and Governor Line and Being a School Governor and Governors for Schools

I enjoy it and I've learnt a lot. I like being involved with the school and making a contribution - watching and learning how others deal with and solve problems. I have gained in self confidence and speaking up in meetings.

I’m sure you can Google ‘being a school governor’ yourself but:-

The Role of a School Governor

1 To Provide a Strategic View
2 To Act as a “Critical Friend”
3 To Ensure Accountability

Good Luck

I'm a PG and agree with everything Dan says

I find Governors who claim boring have not got involved enough. Looking at a budget presentation isn't particularly interesting if you don't know the background behind decisions.
We have introduced the consent agenda which means everyone in the rooms assumes you have read and understood the meeting pack (though there is a Q&A) which has reduced meeting times drastically (though does increase the time needed to prep for a meeting)

Don't join the Govs with a personal agenda - that is not the forum for that.

I love being a PG. It gives real insight into where education is going and does give you skills that will be transferrable at a later date.
It is a benefit to the school and community though, not your own child. My dd is in Y8, and we are looking at the moment about a building project that is likely to not be finished before she leaves, but will be of massive benefit to the school in the long term.

Plus - there are a few (but not many perks) _ I'm going to a conference in Nov, that's two nights in a basic hotel room - on my own!!!!! I'm sadly excited.

Thank you for your responses. I would be able to offer time, read notes and attend meetings (about 7 a year). I'm not sure I'm very strategic or financial business like and I definitely couldn't do an overnight conference - though a night in a hotel sounds like bliss! I'm just a mum that wants the school to do well so probably not for the likes of me.
Thank you for giving me some things to consider though.

You are putting yourself down, Smileandnod! There are plenty of a Governors who get hung up on budgets but there are far more interesting things to do! Very many Governors will be informed about a curriculum area, monitor the SEN and safeguarding provision at the school, help select staff, visit the school regularly to get to know the school better and, in many cases,it can take a while to know where your expertise will lie. People may be governors who are HR experts or accountants but Governors should be from all backgrounds. Overnight conferences are highly unusual by the way. Training, however, is vital but everyone who is conscientious and keen gets the hang of it. Dip your toe in and see what happens. You never know, this could be tailor made for you!

Overnight conference!!!!
WOW - none of our lot have attended an overnight conference.
As well as training courses in the evening, every now and then the Local Authority puts on Saturday conferences.
... Governors should be from all backgrounds. Yep
... Training, however, is vital Yep
... this could be tailor made for you Yep, go for it.

Training you say? You see I quite fancy learning something (anything I just could do with using my brain again a little bit). Is it very difficult, what type of training? I don't have an area of expertise. Lots of things that interest me, but no expertise. It's true, I have lost all confidence in myself since I left the workplace. My family is still young though and I'm going to have to get myself back one day I suppose. I may have a chat with the head at drop off tomorrow, see if I can find out a bit more.

SmileandNod, I'm a parent governor and love it. All you need to be a good governor is a sensible head on your shoulders, a desire to see the school succeed and some time.

Since I've been a gov (started in Feb) I have...
Helped to appoint a new head teacher
Been involved in interviews for a member of teaching staff and a TA
Done a classroom visit
Been to 4 full gov body meetings and 4 curriculum subcommittee meetings
Been on 2 training courses
Completed one training module online
Been to a couple of social events

The first few meetings I sat quietly and watched what went on. Now, I am quite happy to give my opinion on certain things.

Nobody is going to insist you make a major decision on your own on your first meeting - just listen and ask if you aren't sure about something.

I love it. In fact, I'm planning on offering to go in weekly to help in the class of the member of staff I am linked to. :)