We need parent governors!
If you care about education become a parent governor!
All schools need committed parent governors – people who are willing to take an active interest in the life of the school. Governors are elected/appointed for four years.
It is important that governors reflect the local community. People of all backgrounds, cultures and races have a valuable contribution to make and should think about becoming a governor.
Who are the governors?
- parents, elected by parents of children at the school
- teachers, elected by teaching staff at the school
- the headteacher
- staff, elected by the support staff at the school
- people appointed by the Borough of Lewisham, some of whom are nominated by the local political parties
- community, people chosen by the governing body to represent the local community or because they have a particular interest or experience
Are parent governors different from other governors?
Parent governors have the same status, duties and responsibilities as other members of the governing body. They have no power to take action as governor unless they have been asked to do so by the governing body.
Parent governors are not elected to represent the parents but to bring the voice of the parents to the governing body. Although parent governors may be regarded as the official channel for parents’ views they do not have to consult with the body of parents before they can speak or act as governors.
Am I allowed to talk about governing body meetings?
Most governing bodies aim to keep confidential items to a minimum, however, all governors need to bear in mind that indiscreet talk about what has been said or decided at a governors’ meeting can cause problems. Governors need to feel secure enough to speak openly and make decisions without fear that their every word will be reported.
In general all governors should make sure that they never discuss individual children or adults outside the governing body, if they have gained information about them as a result of being a governor.
If you want more information about becoming a governor, ask for the prospective governors’ information pack. It is available from:
Governors’ Services
3rd Floor Laurence House
1 Catford Road SE6 4RU
Tel: 020 8314 8313
Fax: 020 8314 3050
Email: governors.services@lewisham.gov.uk
What do governors do?
- advise and support the headteacher
- meet together regularly to discuss that running of the school
- help ensure all children and young people have an equal chance to succeed at school
- visit the school to see how it works
- select the headteacher and staff
- keep under review the aims and curriculum of the school
- decide how money allocated to the school is spent
- sit on panels to consider pupil exclusion, parental complaints, staff grievance and discipline issues
- ensure that the right provision is made for pupils with special educational needs
- work in partnership with the school, parents, the local community and Lewisham
How much time will it take?
- There is at least one full governors’ meeting each term
- In addition you may be asked to join a committee which meets more frequently and reports back to the full governors’ meeting
- You will need to visit the school so you can get to know the staff, pupils and parents. The better you know the school, the more confident you will feel in making decisions. It is suggested that you visit during the school day for at least one morning or afternoon each term – please make an appointment with the headteacher
With so much for governors to learn, all schools have the opportunity to buy into Lewisham governor training programme.
Parent governor elections
Why become a parent governor?
Parents are a major source of support for the school. Schools are more effective if there is regular and positive dialogue with parents and if parents are involved in the work of the school. Parent governors are one of the ways parents can take part in the life of the school. You might find it helpful to talk to the outgoing parent governor(s) about what is involved.
Black and ethnic minority parents are currently under-represented on governing bodies. Parents from these groups are particularly encouraged to consider standing for election.
How to become a parent governor?
You will be given details of the parent governor elections. You do not have to wait to be nominated, you can put your own name forward. You will probably be asked to give some information about yourself.
How long do I have to be a governor for?
You serve for four years from the date you are elected. Even if your child leaves, you can still remain a parent governor for the full four years. Any governor may of course choose to resign before his/her term of office ends: this should be done in writing to the Clerk to Governors