As I made the suggestion for this section maybe I should start it off.

We have 3 staff members on the GB. The HT, a teacher and myself a TA. Does anyone else in the same position find themselves in the awkward position of wanting to pose questions at the HT but not quite sure of what the response might be the next day. Or maybe having to support the staff point of view but maybe personally believing the parent governors have a good argument. Or even having staff come up to you and say "What a waste of time"

Over to you.

Tiki
I am a staff member of the governors. I am on the P&P committee, We are always over subscribed so applications for places are always a battle.

A couple of years ago, We were discussing an application- most of us following the procedure of our policy for admissions. The head was passionate about this family. -To be fair he would want all in so it wasn't favoritism or anything. We voted to reject the application due to infant class sizes etc.

The following day, the head collared me and took me into his office to give me a dressing down and told me how disappointed he was with me for not backing him up. I was very upset at this but later in the day I was fuming! so went back and asked if he had spoken to any other governor like he had to me. He realised what he had done and was very apologetic, but it had been said.
For while after that, I was very wary in meetings and couldn't look at him.
Now it doesn't bother me at all, and I would tell him to take it to the chairman if he had anything to say!

having said that I am now serving my second term of office.

Do you ever feel that certain actions are already rubber stamped between the HT and Chair of Gov. before it ever gets to the GB?

My friend was a parent governor for a few years in our local primary school but like Tiki says she found matters all done and dusted before the meetings got under way. She gave up in the end as she felt she just couldn't make a contribution.

What I have ended up doing nowadays is check to see what is on the agenda. Check all the relevent info, check the guide to the law for school Governors and go in with as much informed infomation as possible. That way if I'm going to argue against anything then I know that no one can turn round and say I don't know my facts. It's then of course up to each individual to vote as they see best. Sometimes though you find that the most import items get brought in under Any other business. The only thing you can do then is ask, if possible, if it can be put on the agenda for the next meeting.[/img]

Hi Tiki, thanks for starting the thread. Like you I am a TA and Staff Governor at our Catholic Primary. I quite often have felt that certain members are talking over my head. I always make notes about everything (in life in general too) and try and read up the relevant info. It usually ends up making sense but I do get bogged down with all the lingo and 'trendy phrases'. Nice to know I can log on here and ask you without looking dim. Talk you to soon, I'm sure.

Hi I've just been appointed staff governor (cajoled into it by HT). First curriculum meeting tonight. I haven't a clue what is expected. Can anyone point me in the right direction? Thanks XX

Oh Boy, I've been in that situation so many times. Just beware you don't get hijacked on to too many committees.

My advice is make you read up on the Governors guide to the law in reference to the committee you are on. Believe me it stands you in good sted.

Make sure that you have 3 or more on the committee. By law you have to have 3 members to form a quorum

Check that someone, preferable the clerk, is taking the minutes. Again by law these have to be available for any "interested" party.

No doubt you'll find that the committee is made up of HT, staff and ex teachers We found that you needed someone outside teaching to ask more relevant questions. Otherwise you end up everything going the HTs way. Not necessarily the right way to go. In the end though everything has to come back to the GB for the OK and they don't have to take recommendations.

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This is a good place to start for info.

I should have wished you lgood luck. It's not that bad really. I've made it out to be us against the HT it isn't really. We're all aiming for the best school possible in the end.

maltesers you are quite right about the qualities needed. My friend is assertive and used to chairing meetings from her own background. She was never afraid to speak out. As I have never been a governor I don't know what course the meetings took but the remark about the head having decided beforehand how things would be is just how she described it to me. As Tiki remarked some schools have a lot of teacher connected members which was also the case at the school I was talking about. I know some teachers feel that only teachers should be on the board as they are the only ones to understand how a school shuld be run!
Another factor about governors is people do it for an impressive addition to their CVs! I know a teacher who did it in her children's school for that reason as she told me.

about two years ago the law regarding the make up of governing bodies changes. The GB's had a choice of options of how their GB would be made up and have to now stick witht that configuration.
One important change was that school staff can only be staff members of the governing body, so parent governors who are also staff had to stand down at the end of their term of office.

Although I work in a Primary school, I'm a governor in my sons secondary school. Been there for two years now and compared to the others on the GB I'm the novice. (Spring chick)

My LEA have a great Gov. support. I've been on all the courses available, its helped me feel a bit more informed at meetings.

If all else fails, sit up, smile and try to look clever.

Thanks for the help Tiki. Will click on the link and read up! XX