Applying to be a school governor

[BrouetteChouette]

Hi everyone.

I've applied to be a school governor. I've got a meeting with the headteacher of a local primary school coming up in a couple of weeks to find out more about the role at the school.

I've looked at the school website in preparation for this. It gives a lot of information about the school as well as its current governors, which has been very helpful.

The reason why I wanted to get involved in school governance is because I'm really interested in education and in making sure that children receive a good standard of education.

To give a bit more context, I actually started a teacher training course last year, but resigned as it wasn't for me (due to many different reasons). I would love to get involved in more voluntary roles in educational settings, and I think that school governance would be a good way to do this.

I'm in my mid-twenties and currently work as a languages tutor - whilst i don't have any sought-after specialist experience to offer the school, I'm confident that I'd be able to cope with the demands of being a school governor in a general role and that I have a lot to offer the school.

I've done a lot of reading into school governance, and have found this helpful. However, I'd be interested in finding out some first-hand accounts from anyone who's been involved in school governance.

I've heard, however, that people's experiences as school governors can vary a lot depending on which school they're placed in.

Could I ask you please about your experiences of being a school governor please (or if you know anyone who has been a school governor?)

Thanks very much :)

Anyone with any advice please? :)

Last-ditch bump - anyone with any guidance or tips please?

I suggest you post in education as teachers may have different experiences of being governors.

Hi there . I'm a parent governor at my children's school . Can I ask is it a parent governor role that you are interested in ?
You certainly sound keen and have looked into what being a governor involves which is more than many governors will have done 😁

Ooh good point CrewsInn - thank you!

I thought I'd post here just in case there may be a response from anyone who is currently/has been a governor, but I wonder if it's mostly teaching staff who use this board?

Hi bonnet - thanks for your reply as well :) I'm interested in a general governor role (I'm not sure if there's more specific terminology that I should be using!) rather than a parent governor role. How have you found being a governor? Is it something that you would recommend to others considering it?

I was a governor for a while. Resigned because I moved away. I never felt like I was adding a huge amount but the Head caught me at the end once and said that they liked it when I came because I asked pertinent questions.

Assuming you're not applying to be a parent governor, part of the benefit is that you will be slightly removed from the day to day experience of the school - staff and parent governors bring a particular perspective and you will bring a different one again.

Have you had a look at the Governors One Stop Shop site? It was through them visiting my employer that I got involved. www.sgoss.org.uk

It's definitely worth doing by the way. And if you don't like it you can stop!

SGOSS and Inspiring The Future are good websites to register your interest with. Then you will be visible to a whole range of schools who are recruiting governors. I use them both (am a chair).