1. BEING A PARENT AND A GOVERNOR SUE NYMAN 10 FEBRUARY 2015
Introductions

2. WHAT IS THE ROLE OF A SCHOOL GOVERNOR?
ASK THEM TO DISCUSS IN GROUPS FOR 5 MINUTES

3. The role of a school governor
Clarity of vision, strategy and ethos
Holding HT to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils and the performance management of the staff
Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent

4. WHY DID YOU BECOME A SCHOOL GOVERNOR?
WHAT DO YOU THINK IS SPECIAL ABOUT BEING A GOVERNOR WHO IS A PARENT?
ASK THEM TO DISCUSS IN GROUPS FOR 5 – 10 MINUTES
POINTS ON FLIP CHARTS

5. What is a parent governor?
A PARENT GOVERNOR IS A REPRESENTATIVE NOT A DELEGATE OF THE PARENTS

6. What is a parent governor?
Elected by other parents
Establish a rapport with the parent body that elected you
Maintain a strategic approach to school governance
Objectivity is essential
Make themselves known to the parent body
Training
Listen impartially to concerns raised by parents
Guide parents about appropriate line of action and procedures
Present a balanced view of issues, representing different sections of the community

7. What is a parent governor?
Provide a parental view point
Guide parents about appropriate lines of action and procedures
Communicate between GB / parental body
THERE ARE NO DUTIES SPECIFIC TO THE PARENT GOVERNOR ROLE
TRUST
UNDERSTAND PARENTS' VIEWS

8. What should a parent governor not do?
BECOME PERSONALLY INVOLVED IN ANY INDIVIDUAL CONCERNS AS THIS MAY JEOPARDISE THE COMPLAINT AND APPEAL PROCEDURES
YOU ARE NOT THERE TO PROMOTE THE INTERESTS OF YOUR OWN CHILDREN BUT OF ALL CHILDREN
GATHER PARENTAL VIEWS AND TAKE THEM TO THE GB
Balance between impartial representation and the emotional issues relating to a child's education
Parent governors are:
_ well placed to understand parents’ views and
to remind the governing body how matters
being discussed affect parents; PROMOTE VIEWS OF ALL CHILDREN
_ individuals! How you vote on any decision is
up to you; I.E. – YOU DON'T HAVE TO VOTE IN A CERTAIN WAY
_ in a good position to help the governing body
to communicate effectively with parents;
_ equal in status to all other governors.
Parent governors are not:
_ expected to gather the views of other
parents and take them to the governing
body;
_ simply expected to represent the interests of
parents;
_ a link between parents and the governing
_ expected to vote as instructed by other
parents.

9. WHICH COMMITTEES DO YOU THINK IT MIGHT BE DIFFICULT TO SIT ON?
Exclusions
Personnel
Admissions??

10. What are the good bits of being a parent governor?
Very privileged and responsible role.
Opportunity to make a difference - not only for your children, but for other children
Opportunity to make a difference for other parents, and to influence the way in which school works with them
Learn a lot and develop new skills

11. How can you help individual parents?
Make it clear you can’t act for the governing body
Don’t raise expectations that the school will “put it right” – there may be underlying issues or background that you don’t know about.
Keep an open mind – there are at least two sides to every story!
Explain why the governing body has made a decision in a certain way; or maybe you can't

12. WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE KEY SKILLS OF BEING A GOOD PARENT GOVERNOR?Tr

13. WHAT DO YOU DO IN THE EVENT OF A CONFLICT?

14. What do you do in the event of conflict?
Step back
Speak to head teacher / chair of governors
DON'T break confidentiality
Complaints policy

15. SCENARIOS

16. A representative not a delegate Right time to say your bit
Golden rules
A representative not a delegate
Right time to say your bit
Not a place for individual complaints
Remember the boundaries
Confidentiality
No power on your own
A job to be proud of
SO WHY DID I BECOME A GOVERNOR OF A SCHOOL WHERE MY CHILDREN WERE NOT PUPILS?