What should I write in my parent governor application?
The Handbook suggests that governor candidates write about:
- evidence of the extent to which they possess the skills and experience the board desires.
- their commitment to undertake training and development to acquire or develop the skills to make an effective contribution to governance.
What makes a good school parent governor?
Parent governors must promote the best interests of all children at the school, and have a duty to maintain good relations with and be available to the other parents. Parent governors should not use committee meetings to raise issues affecting their own child at the expense of others.
Are parent governors elected?
Parent governors are elected by parents of children at the school. The definition of a parent in education legislation includes: any person who, although not a natural parent, has parental responsibility for a child or young person and; any person who, although not a natural parent, has care of a child or young person.
What role does a parent governor have?
Parent governors play a vital role on governing bodies, holding the unique position of having a parental viewpoint of the school. Through the children, they have a first hand experience of the delivery of the curriculum, and how the school is perceived from the ‘consumers’ point of view.
Do school parent governors get paid?
No. Governors are volunteers and do not get paid.
Do schools have to have parent governors?
The 2012 Regulations state that the governing body of every maintained school must have at least two elected parent governors.
Can a parent be a community governor?
A person cannot be a parent governor if they are an elected member of the local authority or paid to work at the school for more than 500 hours in any consecutive twelve-month period (at the time of election or appointment). A person cannot be a local authority governor if they are eligible to be a staff governor.
Can a parent governor be removed?
Governing bodies may only appoint as a parent governor a parent who has, in their opinion, the skills to contribute to effective governance and the success of the school. Appointed and, in exceptional circumstances, elected parent governors can be removed from office9 by the governing body, .
Can a parent governor work in the school?
What skills do school governors need?
Governors need to be committed, have the inquisitiveness to question and analyse, and the willingness to learn. They need good interpersonal skills, an appropriate level of literacy and be sufficiently numerate to understand basic data.
How long can a chair of governors serve?
The chair should stay in office for the duration of the five-year plan. Following this, they can gradually hand responsibilities to a new chair over a 6-month period, during which the new strategic plan is written.
How many parent governors should a school have?
The minimum number of governors is nine, the maximum is twenty (although sponsor governors are additional to these numbers). Governors are appointed for a maximum of four years, this term is renewable. The headteacher of each school is ex officio a staff governor, but he or she can decline to take up the position.