Abusive ex governor at DS’s school

[GovenorHeadache]

STBXH has been a governor at DS’s school for about 4 years. Under lockdown our relationship got very bad, things were thrown, including a knife in front of DS, and weapons were threatened in an argument. This was reported to the police, but I don’t believe he was charged with anything.

We had SS support, which school were obviously involved with. I don’t know if they know about the police though, and the headteacher did not come to any of the meetings.

I thought he was standing down as a governor, so didn’t rock the boat there. I have just realised that he didn’t, and am not comfortable with DS being in a school where STBXH has that influence.

Do I highlight the police report to school? Or will this just damage my relationship with school? I can’t work out if this would be revealed under a recheck of his DBS.

According to Dh (governor), governors of academies have to have dbses, governors of non-academy state schools don't. Yes, that does seem odd. (he's a governor of an academy)

However, although he does have some contact with the pupils, he would never be left alone with them, and never has been alone without a teacher of some description.

I have not done anything about him being a governor so far. Things got to SS level in summer term, we got a safety plan in place etc. At one point he told me he was standing down as a governor.

Now I realise that he is still in this position at the school that makes me feel uncomfortable. And I am trying to decide if and what I should do about that.

@MargaretThursday

According to Dh (governor), governors of academies have to have dbses, governors of non-academy state schools don't. Yes, that does seem odd. (he's a governor of an academy)

However, although he does have some contact with the pupils, he would never be left alone with them, and never has been alone without a teacher of some description.

I’m 90% sure he did a dbs form when the post started.

This is extraordinary.
I'd ask to speak to the Head, or the safeguarding lead, or your son's teacher- whichever you feel is most sympathetic as a starting point- and ask why a man undergoing police investigation for abuse, who isn't allowed unsupervised contact with his son is a school governor.

If that isn't resolved satisfactorily, ask the local education authority.

Ask your social worker why he's allowed in the school.

Faith governors in catholic schools are appointed by the relevant Archbishop through the local Diocesan Education Service - head teachers/priests etc may recommend but the appointment is in the gift of the Archdiocese.I suggest you contact someone there to discuss this situation. Appointments are usually for 4 years So it may be that your ex's term is nearly finished in which case it would be easy for them to decide not to reappoint.

If in England he will need a DBS but i dont know what you described would flag.

But i agree you need to go to the appointing body with your concerns which sounds like its in the church.