Any Primary school governors out there?

[FANTINE2]

Just discovered that a serving Headteacher from another school in the same authority has just been made an LA Governor at my son's school.
Is this common practice or does it constitute a conflict of interests when it comes to things like, staffing, appointments, curriculum etc?
Just doesn't really sit well with me somehow.

All governors are bound by confidentiality so their other role and interest in the LA shouldn’t prevent them from holding your child’s school’s interests at heart. I also don’t feel they should be prevented from being a governor just because they’re a headteacher in the LA.

If anything, I’d feel happier knowing there was someone on the governing body who knew what they were talking about. If you’re worried, and you’re able to, maybe become a parent governor?

That way, you can also have an input on the school and your worries my be eased.

It's quite common for teachers to be governers in other schools. It's a good way to see how other schools operate.

No conflict, but I have to wonder how they find the time and stamina to be across all that data!

It's common. It can be quite useful.

(In a meeting with the inspector one of my fellow governors was being very insightful and Totally On Top of things, and at a break in the conversation the inspector said "you're the one who's a head, yes?")

Not sure why it would be conflict of interests - are you thinking they'd prejudice an appointment because they wanted to employ that person themselves? You're unlikely to get a board of governors completely inclined to be swayed against someone their own head likes just on the say-so of another head...

This particular Head, the Governor ,has acted in an unreasonable manner in his own school towards his staff. Obviously, don't want to go in to too much detail.

We have a parent governor who is a teacher elsewhere. Good to get some input on how other schools do stuff. But, I expect our HT would not much fancy another HT on govs.

Incidentally you can always ask the Clerk to the Governor's any questions on policy or procedure, that’s their area of expertise.

As for ‘acting in an unreasonable manner’ has that been established or is it hearsay? I’d be very cautious.

Is there still a confidential helpline for Governors running? I used that a few times several years ago.

It’s common for teachers, but less so for head teachers - but because they usually have less time available, not because it’s not appropriate. Interests like this would generally be declared as part of the governance process and should any conflict arise, they would step out of the meeting for that item. At all times a professional approach would be expected as per the governors code of conduct. Incidentally, Ofsted are keen on schools working together to share expertise and good practice.