Parent Governors
All maintained school governing bodies must have at least two parent governors. We currently have space for 5 Parent Governors at our school.
Who are Parent Governors?
Parent governors are elected by parents of children at the school. For a person to stand for election and to vote in a parent governor election he/she must either be the natural parent of a child registered at the school, or be a person with parental responsibility for, or having care of, such a child.
If there are insufficient eligible candidates for the vacancies at an election the governing body can appoint a parent governor, but there are restrictions on who can be appointed.
Governors normally serve for four years unless a shorter term is specified in the Instrument of Government for the school. If a parent governor ceases to be the parent of a child registered at the school within the period for which they have been elected, he/she may continue to be a governor for the rest of his/her term of office.
What are Parent Governors?
Parent governors have the same rights, responsibilities and duties as other governors.
Parent governors should play a full and active part in the governing body but,
Parent governors, like other governors, do not have the power to act as individuals or as a group, unless specifically authorised to do so by the governing body.
Parent governors are not on the governing body simply to represent the interest of parents, or to be the only link with parents because all governors must have regard to these issues.
What do Governors do?
All maintained schools have a governing body which together with the headteacher sets the aims and policies of the school. The headteacher is responsible for the day to day management of the school. Together the governing body and headteacher must ensure the school provides good quality education and helps to raise standards.
The governing body:
- is accountable for the performance of the school to the parents and the wider community
- plans the school’s future direction
- selects the headteacher
- makes decisions on the school’s budget and staffing
- makes sure the National Curriculum is taught
- decides how the school can encourage pupils’ spiritual, moral and cultural development
- makes sure the school provides for all its pupils, including those with special educational needs.
How much time will it take?
To be an effective member of the governing body team, it takes time. You will need to prepare for and attend at least three full governing body meetings per year. You will also be involved in one or two committees dealing with finance, staffing, curriculum or premises. These usually meet at least once a term. In addition some governors take on other roles such as Special Educational Needs governor.
The amount of time you will need to give depends on how involved you become but governing bodies cannot operate effectively with passengers. You must be prepared to take more than an interest.
What support is available?
Lancashire County Council and the associated dioceses/church authorities provide a wide range of support services and training for governors.
All new governors receive an introductory pack of materials from the county council which outlines the range of training opportunities available to governors and governing bodies and provides the basic reference documents. There is also a termly newsletter which helps to keep governors up to date with recent developments. All new governors are encouraged to go on a New Governor Course.
Sometimes governing bodies have difficult decisions to take. In such cases the governing body has access to support and advice from the county council and the church authorities/dioceses as appropriate.
If you require more information about being a governor speak to Mrs Reeves, the Chair of Governors Alex Fearnhead or contact Governor Services on 01257 516147, governors.central@lancashire.gov.uk .