Comments | westernind: Being a school governor

westernind

Being a school governor

Apr 21, 2012 16:24

Are any of you school governors? I've been asked to be a governor of a local special needs school. Apparently business knowledge and common sense are valuable, despite the fact I don't have kids.

Advice welcome.

[cross-posted]

Comments 11

thalinoviel April 21 2012, 20:48:15 UTC

No, but a governor who can understand the institutions finances is a godsend. Even more so if they can translate for the others.

westernind April 21 2012, 20:55:02 UTC

I can do that, no problems!

sixtine April 23 2012, 20:03:46 UTC

Kids aren't required for the role. A school is just a business with goals like any other. Governors are there to see good governance. You'd be a great governor but I think it can be a bit cliquey and political at times; that probably depends on the school.

kathbad April 21 2012, 23:06:47 UTC

You could always ask my sister :)

westernind April 22 2012, 09:21:47 UTC

Haven't seen her for years!

kathbad April 22 2012, 19:09:59 UTC

You could drop her an email though!

She is a head teacher and so could give you an inside scoop...

(The comment has been removed)

westernind April 22 2012, 09:20:11 UTC

The thing I'm most concerned about is expansion of time commitment. From your perspective, how much time did you think it took up?

agentinfinity April 22 2012, 07:55:10 UTC

I was a school governor at Sandy Upper whilst I worked there. There were different commitees (finances, staffing, curriculum) plus the general full governor meetings so it would depend on which committees you were on. There was an expectation at my place you would be on at least one. I was on curriculum. There seemed to be a lack of people who wanted to go on the finance one. Staff governors weren't allowed on the staffing one so I don't know what that was like ( ... )

westernind April 22 2012, 17:48:56 UTC

I'm trying to say no until the new school year, when we recruit someone to take over part of my day job. (And hopefully I get a bit less manically busy.) I'll come and pick your brains over the summer. :)

delvy April 22 2012, 11:42:25 UTC

I think you would make a superb school governor and would be invaluable to the institution in question. Be prepared to be frustrated by the madness of it all on occasion.

(Both my parents have served as governors of various schools and colleges and I was asked to serve as such for the local infants school a while ago but I did not as I was working away from home and could not commit the time.)