School governors
- What are school governors?
- What about applications to foundation schools?
- Why would you want to apply to become a governor?
- What are the benefits of being a governor?
- Do I need qualifications to be a school governor?
- How much time will it take up?
- I work full-time. Will I still have time to be a school governor?
- What support will I get as a governor?
- Where can I get more information about becoming a governor?
Each school has a governing body that plays a key role in the life of the school.
It has responsibility for the school operation, finances and appointment of staff.
School governing bodies are made up of people from different groups, including parents, teachers, people from the local and business community.
In the case of a church school, the school’s own denominational board will appoint most of the governing body.
By law, the governing body of each school must publish a school profile each year.
For voluntary aided and foundation schools in both Derby and Derbyshire, the school governors are the admissions authority.
If you would like to be more involved with the education of children, if you enjoy a challenge and rewarding role or if you want to contribute to the local community.
The quality of the education we provide for today's children directly affects the quality of society in the future – and so being part of the team responsible for managing our schools offers a challenging and rewarding experience.
Many governors also feel that the role helps with their personal development and self-confidence.
No. Schools need volunteers (whether parents or not) with experience of life, although some governors may have qualifications or professional skills that come in useful.
Governors serve for four years and can be re-appointed at the end of their term if they still qualify.
The amount of time each person gives to the role will vary. However you will need to be willing to:
* prepare for meetings – there can be papers that need reading
* attend meetings – the governing body must meet at least once a term, but you probably will be asked to serve on at least one committee
* get to meetings - which are normally during the evening but may be during the day
Many governors are in full-time work and most governing body meetings tend to take place in the evening.
However, you would need to check carefully the number of meetings you would be expected to attend and when they usually take place. Also bear in mind that you might want to spend time getting to know the school in other ways and joining in its activities, which may take place during the daytime.
An induction course for newly appointed governors covering every main responsibility with subsequent training on a wide range of subjects.
The head teacher and experienced governors on your governing body will provide a major source of advice
Each governing body has a clerk to organise arrangements for termly meetings and to take minutes
There are a number of sources of information if you want to find out more about becoming a school governor.
These include your local authority and local schools.
For schools in Derby City contact 01332 716885 or in Derbyshire County contact 01629 580000 ext 5769/7836
The Department for Children, Families and Schools also has a website dedicated to school governors.
This site has a wealth of information from the role and responsibilities of a school governor to how to become one.
You can also ask the School Governors’ One-Stop Shop (SGOSS) to forward you a SGOSS application form, access http://www.sgoss.org.uk/home
The SGOSS process ensures that an acknowledgement is sent to the candidate and his/her details are forwarded to the local authority or school.
The SGOSS will then remain in contact with both local authority and the candidate until he/she has been introduced to a governing body. The process should take approximately six to eight weeks but may take longer if the candidate expresses a wish to be a governor in a particular school, area or phase of education.
Telephone 0870 000 2288.
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