Becoming a school governor (info please)

Savvy_Sue

Have thought of another area where Governing Bodies would probably welcome expertise / strengthening - someone who's not frightened of big numbers, can read a balance sheet, understand a budget, and how to track a budget! If you can do any of that, say so!

DonnaP

I have just become a governor (parent) and I'm regretting doing it tbh.

The board seems to be there for rubber stamping decisions and the school is already excellent with a fantastic head. I don't know what I can add and like the first post, I am not a yes woman. I can see me quickly getting the reputation for being the 'awkward' one and I would hate this to effect my 5 year old daughters in any way.

The issues seemed to be all around percentages and stats, not what I thought it would be. I have a real concern over there being no school crossing (I am concerned there is going to be an accident soon) and had to ask after the meeting as this is something that had been discussed and agreed in previous meetings (it was agreed to let the council put in a crossing in 2 years time). I don't think this is acceptable and think we should put some pressure on the council, but I am in a minority.

The Head thinks a walking bus is a solution and is now heavily suggesting this is something I organise!! I think this isn't the right approach - I think questions should be asked of the council. Either way, I don't have the time to take on something like a walking bus - I live 2 miles away and have to drive my dd's to school.

I thought I was going to be involved in strategy, yet the impression I get, is that the other governors sit there saying nothing and the head sees me as an extra pair of hands to 'help' her as she is so busy. as I am vocal.

I'm seriously thinking of whether I did the right thing in becoming a governor.

I think its worse as my career background is in industry and I have been on the Board of Directors - I thought it would be similar!

Sorry to have rambled!

Donna

bunty109

DonnaP wrote: »

I have just become a governor (parent) and I'm regretting doing it tbh.


The issues seemed to be all around percentages and stats, not what I thought it would be. I have a real concern over there being no school crossing (I am concerned there is going to be an accident soon) and had to ask after the meeting as this is something that had been discussed and agreed in previous meetings (it was agreed to let the council put in a crossing in 2 years time). I don't think this is acceptable and think we should put some pressure on the council, but I am in a minority.

The Head thinks a walking bus is a solution and is now heavily suggesting this is something I organise!! I think this isn't the right approach - I think questions should be asked of the council. Either way, I don't have the time to take on something like a walking bus - I live 2 miles away and have to drive my dd's to school.

Sorry to have rambled!

Donna

Donna, I came to being a school governor via wanting a crossing for my school. We had a school travel plan and I was on the committee...we started pressing for a crossing and my interest in it all made me keen to serve the school in a greater capacity.

Heads are incredibly busy. One of our parent governors made a suggestion about an environmental initiative but the teachers and Head just have too much on to do a lot of the investigation about it. As Chair, I supported the Head when she suggested some of the Governors took things on: we are there to offer help and support and the staff can't do absolutely everything.

I think you need to think about persuading the other Governors about pushing for a crossing and seeing if you can get their support to proceed, but you have to expect to be asked to take this one with the Council if they then agree with you. Similarly, if you don't think a walking bus is appropriate then you need to talk to the Head about this, but again be prepared to offer to do something with the Council if s/he agrees with you.

I appreciate that sometimes Governors seem to rubber stamp a lot, but there's a lot people can offer to schools as Governors, even if it's only going into school once in a while, observing a lesson and giving some constructive feedback/ praise on that. It really is appreciated by staff, as is any help that Governors can give with struggles over funding for new buildings/classrooms etc. The longer you are a Governor then I have found it much easier to understand the vast array of terminology that exists in teaching and with that then comes the ability to start asking pertinent questions, rather than just feel like you are saying yes to everything.

It's something I enjoy and I do feel appreciated for, but I think you need to understand that it's a role where if you suggest something then you need to be prepared to help implement it, as staff at schools are simply so busy (the amount of admin a Head has seems staggering to me!). All of this is just in my opinion, but I hope it shows there's another side to being a Governor.