|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Becoming a GovernorEach governing body has members representing different groups such as parents, teachers and members of the local community. Each governing body has a formal document called an Instrument of Government, which sets out how the governing body of the school is made up. Governors are normally elected or appointed for a period of four years, although governing bodies can set a shorter term of office for one or more categories of governor as long as this is recorded in the Instrument of Government. The categories of governor are:
· A staff governor is a representative or typical members of staff but not a representative of the staff. All teachers at a school are eligible for election as a staff governor by fellow members of staff. Elections are held by the school when there is a vacancy or when a staff governor’s term of office has come to an end. The headteacher is also automatically an ex-officio staff governor (unless they have opted not to take up their governorship). If the governing body has places for more than two staff governors these can also be elected from the schools paid support staff. · An LEA Governor is appointed by South Gloucestershire Council. By agreement between the political parties represented on South Gloucestershire Council, the LEA governor positions on governing bodies are nominated in proportion to the votes cast in the local area. However, if a political party responsible for making a nomination to a governing body is unable to do so within 3 months, there is an agreement that governing bodies themselves may put forward a nomination for approval by the relevant political party. Although political parties in South Gloucestershire take an active role in nominating LEA governors in this way, LEA governors are not expected to bring political views to the governing body. If you would like to become an LEA governor, contact the Governor Development Team for further details. · A community governor is a member of the local community who has been appointed by the Governing Body itself. They may well have business, financial or legal knowledge and skills that will be useful to the governing body. If you wish to become a community governor at your local school, write to the Clerk to the Governors c/o your local school and offer your services. It would be useful to include a cv with your letter so that the governing body can see what skills you have to offer. · A foundation governor is one appointed by the school’s founding body, church or other organisation named in the school’s instrument of government. They may hold their governorship in an ex -officio capacity if they are the holder of an office specified in the instrument of government, for example a parish priest. If you wish to become a foundation governor at your local school, write to the school’s founding body to offer your services. If the school’s foundation body is the Church of England, you may find it useful to contact your local vicar or the secretary of the Parochial Church Council where applicable. It would useful to include a cv with your letter so that the governing body can see what skills you have to offer. Or contact the Governor Development Team for further details and advice. What are the skills of an effective governor?“It would be a pity if any keen and committed person was driven away by mistaken notions about governors having to have special skills or knowledge. …..Everybody has skills – listening, peace-making, organising, throwing ideas into the air, catching ideas and patiently working them through. A good governing body will have a mix of these skills…. The main requirements are:
A strong feeling about doing things openly and democratically”. Joan Sallis: Basics for School Governors 2001 (Network Educational Press)
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
