| Q |
I would like to become a school governor. What should I do? |
| A |
If you want to become a governor at a particular school, contact the headteacher or chair of governors at that school. If your child attends the school, you can stand for election as a parent governor. Alternatively, you could ask to become a co-opted governor at the school.
If you have no preference for becoming a governor at any one particular school, you can contact Wakefield Governor Services on 01924 305379 or 305638 or you can print off the application form published on this website.
There is also further information on this website under "Becoming a School Governor".
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| Q |
What do school governors do? |
| A |
Being a governor means being part of a team of up to 21 governors, including the headteacher. No individual governor has the power to make decisions or take action because that power belongs to the governing body as a whole.
The governing body must also work in partnership with the headteacher as he/she is responsible for the day-to-day management of the school.
The governing body meets at least once a term to discuss the running of the school. This would include standards of learning at the school, the use of resources and the overall direction and planning of the school.
There are also committees of governors which also meet each term to discuss aspects of the school (e.g. curriculum, behaviour, finance) in more detail.
Some governors are also appointed to link with particular subjects (e.g. Literacy, Numeracy or Special Educational Needs) or particular year groups.
There is further information on this website under "Becoming a School Governor". This includes an application form to become a governor. You can also contact Wakefield Governor Services on 01924 305379 or 305638.
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| Q |
How are governors chosen? |
| A |
There are several types of governor:
- parent governors: elected by parents of children at the school - or appointed by the governing body if no-one stands for election;
- community governors: appointed by the governing body;
- LEA governors: appointed by Wakefield Metropolitan District Council. Members of the public can apply to be considered for this role;
- foundation governors: appointed at Church schools by the local Church and/or diocese;
- staff governors: elected by staff at the school;
- the headteacher: a governor of his/her school by right.
There is further information on this website under "Becoming a School Governor". This includes an application form to become a governor. You can also contact Wakefield Governor Services on 01924 305379 or 305638.
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| Q |
What qualifications do governors need? |
| A |
No particular qualifications or experience are needed. The most important qualities for any governor are to be interested in the welfare of the children and the school and to be prepared to give their time and effort. Governors are not expected to be expert educationalists.
There is further information on this website under "Becoming a School Governor". This includes an application form to become a governor. You can also contact Wakefield Governor Services on 01924 305379 or 305638.
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| Q |
Are governors vetted before appointment? |
| A |
There are legal restrictions which prevent some people from becoming school governors. Most of these relate to criminal offences resulting in imprisonment and child protection issues.
If someone is appointed as a governor, there will be a confidential record check by Wakefield Education and Cultural Services to ensure that he/she is not covered by the restrictions.
There is further information on this website under "Becoming a School Governor". This includes an application form to become a governor. You can also contact Wakefield Governor Services on 01924 305379 or 305638.
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| Q |
Realistically, how much time would be needed to do the work of a governor properly? |
| A |
The time commitment is not usually excessive, though responsibilities are considerable. The list below suggests a likely workload:
- 2 governing body meetings per term;
- 1/2 meetings per term for each committee (e.g. finance, curriculum, personnel) on which the governor is a member;
- at least 1 visit per year to school during the day;
- 1 governors' parents' meeting per year;
- possible involvement with staff selection, pupil exclusion reviews or staff dismissal cases;
- reading of agenda and other papers for meetings;
- at least 1 training session per year.
Most governors' meetings and training sessions are in the evening or late afternoon.
There is further information on this website under "Becoming a School Governor". This includes an application form to become a governor. You can also contact Wakefield Governor Services on 01924 305379 or 305638.
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| Q |
Do governors get paid? |
| A |
No. They are the largest volunteer workforce in the country. However, governors are able to claim expenses for such things as travel and childcare during meetings, if their governing body approves this.
For further information, you can contact Wakefield Governor Services on 01924 305379 or 305638.
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| Q |
What about time off work to be a governor? |
| A |
Most meetings are during the evenings. The Law says that an employer must give an employee "reasonable" time off work for governor business, but pay is at the employer's discretion. Many employers actively encourage their people to become governors, since it provides new experience and skills which are useful in many jobs.
Wakefield Metropolitan District Council allows its employees up to 3 days (or equivalent) time off with pay per year for governor business, plus up to a further 2 days (or equivalent) with pay, at the discretion of the line-manager, for particular responsibilities.
For further information, you can contact Wakefield Governor Services on 01924 305379 or 305638.
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| Q |
Could governors find themselves liable for any financial commitments if the school runs out of money, and what about being sued by parents or staff? |
| A |
There is no individual financial responsibility for governors. Any debt the school may run up would be discussed with the LEA and would probably have to be paid from the next year's budget. However, if a governor acts fraudulently, he/she is liable to the normal processes of law. In the case of any claims for negligence, governing bodies are covered by corporate insurance cover arranged by the school or LEA.
For further information, you can contact Wakefield Governor Services on 01924 305379 or 305638.
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| Q |
Do governors get involved as volunteer classroom assistants? |
| A |
Governors are not expected to, but a few may be able to do this, by arrangement with the school. It is in no way a requirement or even an unspoken expectation.
For further information, you can contact Wakefield Governor Services on 01924 305379 or 305638.
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| Q |
Can a governor take complaints from parents to the governing body? |
| A |
Governors, especially parent governors, are sometimes approached by parents who have a grievance or complaint against the school. In general, individual cases should not be taken to the whole governing body. Schools have a recognised complaints procedure and governors should encourage parents to follow it. However, if a number of parents are complaining about the same issue, there may be an issue over policy or procedures which the governing body rightly needs to address.
For further information, you can contact Wakefield Governor Services on 01924 305379 or 305638.
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| Q |
How long do governors serve? |
| A |
Most governors are elected or appointed for four years. However, if they move away or have to resign mid-term, that is not a problem.
There is further information on this website under "Becoming a School Governor". This includes an application form to become a governor. You can also contact Wakefield Governor Services on 01924 305379 or 305638.
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| Q |
What training and support are available? |
| A |
Wakefield provides comprehensive training and support for governors:
- approximately 50 training courses per year, open to all governors;
- approximately 40 bespoke training courses per year, requested by individual governing bodies;
- an annual day Conference at Woolley Hall;
- written guidance to governing bodies on key issues;
- a termly Newsletter;
- direct support to governors' meetings from the Clerking Service;
- telephone advice;
- the Governor Services website.
There is further information on this website under "Training and Development" and "Guidance and Information". You can also contact Wakefield Governor Services on 01924 305655.
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| Q |
I am not yet a governor but I would like to come to some governor training to find out more. Can I do this? |
| A |
Yes, but if the course if fully booked, serving governors have first priority in the allocation of places. The same policy applies to members of staff at schools in the LEA who are not governors. Ring 01924 305655 for more details.
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