Become a School Governor
Who can become a School Governor?
Any parent of a pupil at Phoenix School can become a Parent Governor. you need to be 18 or over, a legal resident of the UK and not disqualified under the School Governance Constitution (England) Regulations 2003.
Members of the local community can also become co-opted governors if they hold certain skills.
Why Become a School Governor?
Governors perform the most important voluntary role in education and a full and diverse governing body can be an enormous strength to the school. Volunteering as a governor is a great way to contribute to your local community, meet new people and improve the lives of local children. You will develop transferable skills and learn more about the education system whilst putting existing skills and experience to good use.
What do Governors Do?
The Governing Body is responsible for the strategic management of the school and will make decisions about a wide range of issues. The core responsibilities involved are:
- Ensuring accountability
- Acting as a 'critical friend' to the headteacher
- Monitoring and evaluation the school's progress
- Budgetary allocation and control
- Planning for the long term future of the school
- Setting the schools aims and values
- Appointing senior members of staff, including the headteacher
The governing body is usually split into small teams, each responsible for an aspect such as Resources or Learning and Development. These teams will meet separately from the main governing body to discuss these areas on more depth. Discussion is then fed back at the Full Governing Body meeting.
How much time do I need to commit?
There are six Full Governing Body Meetings a year which last approximately 2 hours. There are also Resources and Learning and Development Team Meetings and most governors participate in one of these although this is not mandatory. All meetings are held in the evening from 6pm onwards.
We also ask governors to spend some time in school in order to undertake monitoring and familiarise themselves with the running of the school. The minimum expectation is three days a year (most employers allow time off for governor-related duties) although governors can spend more time in school if they wish.
There is also a commitment to attend relevant governor training which normally takes place in the evening. The minimum requirement is at least one training session per year.
How do I apply to become a governor?
If you are not already familiar with the school, then the first step would be to contact the school office and make an appointment to see the headteacher and have a tour of the school.
Please send a letter of application to Mrs Jane Philips, Clerk to Governors, Phoenix Community Primary School, Belmont Road, Ashford, TN24 9LS. Please include in this letter a paragraph explaining why you would be suitable for the role as this may be issued out to other governors and, in the event of a parent governor election, to the parents of the children in the school.