Are any of you governors ?

[throckenholt]

I am just beginning the process of becoming ones at our school and was wondering what I am letting myself in for (I hope it is nothing like the playgroup committee world!).

And advice, anecdotes, or tips welcomed

Will make cuppa and read. I have just commited myself, waiting to see if anybody else applies.

Been toying with the idea since dd started at the school, have finally taken the plunge (eek)

Am now very taken with the idea that the governing body is there to 'Gok' the school, ie release its latent fabulousness!

And I agree that even a critical friend ought not to be rude ....

I focussed on being friendly and approachable in the playground for my statement and with a passion to make sure all children, regardless of family circumstances/bacground/finances etc were able to have a positive experience of school. >
But I meant it sincerely.

I am a parent Governor and what drives me absolutely potty is the number of people, mostly community or lea governors who seem to have no lives and the whole evening to listen to themselves witter on unnecessarily while I am thinking that the children will be rampaging round the house, not going to bed, while dh sits and reads the paper (because he does nothing at home) and I would so much rather be sitting down with a good book and a glass of wine. Our meetings take, on average, about 3 TIMES as long as they need to, it makes me want to start scratching. I don't mind being involved but I do resent wasting my time listening to people repeat themselves. Sadly the parents are so apathetic that there are so few parents who will agree to be involved that they cannot afford to be picky (which is why they ended up with me!)

Absolutely, Dontcallmebaby!

I've been a Parent Governor for 3.5 years (original school merged with another to become large shiny new school, so I had to be re-elected, and will be PG for a good while longer). I enjoy it a lot - agree absolutely about pointlessly long, waffly meetings but we have a good Chair atm who keeps us focussed. I do Staff and Finance - a damn sight more exciting than Premises, which seemed to largely consist of discussing which bit of fence needed fixing.

I really recommend the training - do as much as you can. IME it's high quality and does help you understand what's what.

It all becomes a bit more real and scary when you know your school is due an Ofsted (as ours is) and you know you're going to have to sound like you understand why you're there.

I'm an LEA governor and I can assure you rosysslave I do have a life! I know the type you mean though, they are the sort of people who dedicate a lot of their spare time to doing community activities. The two community governors at my school are also parish and town councillors and are very well practised at committee speak and bureaucracy.

My experience of Primary Govenors is exactly like playgroup committee. Each one has an agenda about their own child and no interest in the good of the whole school.
However at secondary level it's much more professional and businesslike.

oh no ! - don't say that - runs away screaming.

Actually I am hopeful it won't be like that because most of the playgroup mafia are now running the the friends of the school (fundraising etc) and haven't gone down the governor route.

I am hopeful that most of the governors are of the more down to earth and practical type.

I'd say the majority of governors at our school don't have children at the school. I'd agree with an earlier poster about the rudeness experienced by teachers. Some of the governors have no idea how to form constructive criticism and are just downright rude to the teaching staff. I'm wondering how to raise this constructively!

Llareggub Yes I am sorry, that was flippant, there are some terrific lea and community governors, who give generously of their time and expertise and our inner city primary was/is very lucky and grateful to have them. (There are also some parent governors obviously so excitable with their new audience they will not stop talking either with far less to offer!) But some people do just seem to like the sound of their own voice and will labour insignificant and inconsequential points at length until I feel quite desperate! (I don't doubt their goodness, and altruism on behalf of my local community, just my ability to sit through their meetings).

throckenholt..the playgroup mafia have taken over both the PTA AND the govenors and all the previously sane members have resigned.
SO glad DS is in his final year at primary.
The chair of govs at secondary is so ruthlessly efficient no one is allowed to ramble or digress.

I am a parent gov, and I have to say there isn't much scope for promoting the interest of your own children at our GB meetings - not that any of the parent govs have ever shown any signs of wanting to. But we have a ruthlessly efficient chair too. And a brilliant head.