School governors: How do you get to know the teachers?

[morningpaper]

How do you get to know the teachers?

I don't want to help out in any situation where a small child might be travel sick in my lap.

I also wonder whether teachers think that governors are a bit annoying and wish they would bugger off and leave them alone?

Any tips for getting to know teachers without being (a) annoying or (b) standing with a mop at the KS1 disco?

Re feeling defensive - maybe it is that they feel that you are judging them - another observation to be reported back to the head with!

I taught at a (two-form entry primary) school that had great governer-staff links. I think I'll just list them.

• Each governor was asigned a year group and subject area.
• before one governer's meeting a year, there'd ne drinks and snacks after school and we'd all meet for a chat (with name badges and relevant subject areas and year groups).
• The governors did a whole-school assembly once a year. It was always fantastic, around a school theme and the kids loved it. E.g punctuality and attendance as told through the mad hatter's tea party (oh yes).
• The governors came in to classes for observations. Not formal ones, usually they'd go into see a teacher from their assigned year group or subject teaching a lesson.

I knew all the governors by sight, and about half of them by name. They also attended some other events like school fairs, and helped run the summer barbeque alongside staff.

I have been a parent Governor for 6 years now in a primary school where there are very good relations between the governing body, the HT and the teachers. We are regarded as critical friends who are there to support as well as ask questions.

However, I know of other schools where there is significant hostility between the governing body and the teachers. The new OFSTED requirements are designed to try and foster more constructive relationships between governing bodies and teachers and ensure that governors are more involved and supportive.

HTH