Can we have a governor section in Education?

[beansprout]

I am a parent governor and having quite a rough old time at the moment. Short version is that being a gov is the ultimate in playground politics, as we are being slagged off discussed by other parents around a whole poo storm that has been going on lately. It's been really, really hard and I have been very stressed about it all. I am spending a lot of time ringing governorline, when I actually need the wisdom and experience of Mumsnetters who have had similar experiences. I need support with the emotional side of it as well as the political and legal.

Is there anyone else out there who might find this useful?

Yes I would find it helpful, I'm quite a newbie governor and could do with more experienced sounding boards that aren't actually in the same school as me! I can understand your stress beansprout, I'm a Community Councillor (equiv of Parish in England) in our village and there has been an issue recently that's had the pitchforks out against us and it's been heart wrenching when you are giving up time free of charge to help and then get roundly slagged off.

Have you been www.governornet.co.uk/threadListdate.cfm?topicAreaId=8?

here?

and also this one

llareggub - I have, thank you. I just want to chat about it at home with my friends too .

lostinwales - we have had pitchforks recently too and it has been HORRIBLE. I have actually had offers of being escorted to school in the mornings, it got that bad.

I have thought about this before and held back because the issues I've needed to talk about would potentially make me, or my school, quite identifiable (am a Chair). But if others would find it useful and as long as we're all a bit careful with the specifics, then yes, I'd love to see a new topic.

beansprout - I'm sorry you're having such a nightmare. I don't think people quite understand how stressful it can be - I went through something last year which caused weeks and weeks of sleepless nights and me dreading going into the playground. And of course you can't really discuss it with your mates, or anyone really. My LA Governor Services are good - they've let me offload to them quite often. Do you have contacts there?

I don't have contacts there, but that's a good idea. I'm sorry to hear you have had such a hard time with it too. It's so awful - terrible combination of high drama, friends turning away from you and walking around with secrets you can't discuss with everyone. Like an affair, but without the shagging.

I have lost weight though, so hey, every cloud.

llareggub - that second one is great, thank you.

A separate aera for governors would be good, but a Hassled said we would have to careful about what being discussed.

Ooo yes please it would be good to share ideas etc (very discreetly of course)

Sorry you are having a hard time beansprout

Agree that discretion would be essential, but that's true of a lot on here.

Thanks for the support