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Primary education

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Original poster

Want to apply to be Governor, but worried that nobody will vote for me. What to put in biographical notes? Also, how much work is it?

14 replies

emkana · 22/02/2009 20:43

I am German, have lived in UK for over ten years, used to be a secondary school teacher of Modern Languages, but gave it up to be a SAHM 8 years ago. Have been on playgroup committee and involved in PTA since.

Which of those bits do you think I should leave out seeing I can write no more than 30 words of biographical notes?

And is anybody a governor, how much work does it really involve?

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Original poster

emkana · 22/02/2009 20:54

OP posts:

petalpower · 22/02/2009 21:05

I'm a governor at my children's previous primary school and have been for just over a year. I can't remember what I put on my form really. I think I looked at previous threads on MN to get an idea of what to say! I also used to be a teacher so I think I put something in about that. Sorry, not being much help here!!
There is a fair amount involved depending on the size of your governing body. There's certainly more than I expected in terms of paperwork, reading, courses and meetings but nothing too scary. I do find it very interesting and feel that I am able to make a difference by contributing my time to the school.
HTH - am happy to answer any other questions if I can!

lalalonglegs · 22/02/2009 21:12

I would say:

"I have xx children at the school who have been coming here for xx years. I taught for many years at a secondary school so understand many of the issues involved in education and I have also been on several committees. [School's name] is a great place and I want to work with everyone to make it even better."

Original poster

emkana · 23/02/2009 13:09

thanks for advice.

lalalonglegs, I like what you wrote, but I have to keep it at 30 words.

OP posts:

newpup · 23/02/2009 13:46

Hello emkana. I am a governor at my DD's school and I had to write 30 word summary too. Mine was very similar to lalalonglegs one. How many children I had, What I used to do before s.a.h.m. and how I wanted to be a part of the team at the school.

I know what you mean though, I was worried that no one would vote for me too. A mum the year before fell out with two other mums because no one voted for her!! I definately would not fall out with anyone would just have felt embarassed. Good Luck

lalalonglegs · 23/02/2009 16:38

OK, I should have noticed that, writing to count is part of my job . Try again:

"I am a teacher and mother so have experienced concerns around education from both sides. I want to work with everyone to make {school?s name} the best it can be."

LightShinesInTheDarkness · 23/02/2009 16:45

I was a Governor for a while and I have every admiration for you.

I hated it, the power games, ever-changing rules, endless paperwork and government restrictions, long boring meetings every six weeks, feeling that we were expected to 'rubber stamp' decisions which had basically been made by the Head and staff reps....

After a while I defected to the PTA, which turned out to be much more my style.

Pannacotta · 23/02/2009 16:48

I like what lala wrote, cant think of anything else to add.
Good luck!

zanzibarmum · 23/02/2009 18:09

It is a lot of work but can be rewarding. My advice would be:

don't fall into the trap of responding to every bit of paper that comes from LEA or DCSF. Focus on what is being taught and how it is being taught - get a co-ordinator role and observe what is happening in the class room;

I have experienced head teachers who are great at working with the GB and others who detest it - remember the GB is ultimately accountable so don't allow the head to set/control the agenda;

if you haven't got the time to put in the work don't do it. Why be responsible for something if you are not part of driving the policies and practices of the school;

if you have got the time it can be great fun and rewarding - but it can also be a pain in the £"$ as whatever decisions you make someone - teachers, parents, LEA etc - will not agree with you

hellywobs · 23/02/2009 18:54

Please go for it and if you don't get in as a parent gov see if there are any local authority or community vacancies you can be put forward for either at that school or another local school.

Original poster

emkana · 24/02/2009 20:19

Sorry for late return to this thread, thanks for help and advice!

OP posts:

nlondondad · 26/02/2009 14:52

Good luck emkana !

and I thought your 30 words was tremendous lala.

I wonder where that limit came from?

Original poster

emkana · 27/02/2009 13:06

application is in

Not sure whether to ask people to vote for me or whether to just let things happen

Thanks again for help with writing biographical notes!

OP posts:

suwoo · 27/02/2009 13:14

We had a governor vote recently. There were three candidates and we had to vote for two. One of them included the word 'kids' in his notes, which just sounded so wrong, surely schools prefer the use of 'children'? I didn't vote for him and neither did anyone else as he was the unsuccesful candiate.

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