The importance of school governors
School governance is the most important volunteering role in education.
An effective governing body is a source of enormous strength to a school.
Governor responsibilities
School governors make important collective decisions and the governing body is answerable to parents and the community. The responsibilities of the governing body can be summarised as providing strategic management, acting as a critical friend and ensuring accountability. Specific responsibilities include:
- Promoting high standards of education and achievement
- Planning the school's long-term future
- Setting the school's aims and values
- Appointing senior staff, including the headteacher
- Budgetary allocation and control
The day-to-day management of the school is the responsibility of the headteacher.
What makes a good school governor?
Probably the most important quality is the desire to make a difference to children's lives, and then:
- An ability to work in a team
- A desire to help the community
- An external perspective
- A willingness to challenge assumptions
- The time to get involved
The personal benefits of becoming a school governor
Being a governor is an enormously challenging and rewarding opportunity.
The personal benefits can be summarised as:
- A sense of satisfaction through knowing children will benefit from your efforts
- The opportunity to develop new skills and to strengthen existing ones
- The opportunity to gain understanding in key areas such as finance, personnel and strategic planning
- The opportunity to gain awareness of the education system as a whole
For more information please contact Pat Fuggle on 01454 863185 or email Pat.fuggle@southglos.gov.uk