I,ve been asked to apply for the non teaching staff gov'nor post as the LSA who hasheld it for the last 3 years is standing down. Can anyone tell me what i will be letting myself in for. I have spoken to the lady who is stepping down but she says it won't eat in to my life too much at the same time as saying that she no longer has the time to do it!! Any advice greatly appreciated.

Caroline

I was a parent Governor for 11 years.It doesn't take up ahuge a mount of time but there might be a spell where your very busy.I was on the interview panel for a new head we didn't get enough suitable applicants first time so it took quite a while but what an eye opener.Applications from Heads with spelling mistakes was one.It is very interesting and does help you to understand more about issues within schools and why some decisions are made.You are expected to go on sub-committees are I know the finacial one is more time consuming, I went on Health and Safety. I think there is a third in most schools but because it was a small school we shared out the rest of the work.It is interesting but depends on how busy you are with other things.

Thanks J of A T for your advice, you are right it is more to do with my curiosity about other school matters and how things really work that has got me interested. I believe the HT would like me to join the SEN comm. As to the time, well there aren't enough hours in the day already so will a few more make any difference?

Caroline

If you do go on Caroline, stick to your guns on the things you feel strongly about and don't be swayed. Good luck, it is a real eye opener.

Hi Caroline, I only just catching up on your thread. I'm a staff Governor at the school that I work at. As A matter of fact I've been to a governors mtg tonight my fourth in around 3 weeks. We're in the process of choosing a new HT at the moment and it's a hectic time,


You can't apply for a Governor vacancy like a job. If there is a position to be filled you can make it known you would like to stand for election. It would then be up to the other members of staff then to choose the one they want.

I've enjoyed the time I've been a Governor. It certainly gives you access to a lot of information about your school and the way it's administered etc. You have a number of mtgs you have to attend a year. We normally have around 6/7 but this can increase depending on what is happening.

The main thing you have to consider is are you strong enough to go against both/either the HT or chairman if you disagree with them. That has been the hardest thing I found.

Ooooh sounds scary to me tiki

No, It's not Kitty. It's certainly an eye opener and it does give you a better insight to what's going on. In stead of grumbling because you can't have that resource you set you heart on you'll realise that well maybe the budget is getting rather tight and the money would be better spent else where.

Thank you for all your advice everyone. I was not very clear in my first post as i was aware that you had to be voted in etc but I have been asked to make it clear by the next staff meeting (Monday) if I would be willing. I was told one meeting every half term which seems feasable so i think I will go for it.
We have a very strong head!!!!!!!But I've never been afraid of asking why something has happened and she is very approachable, she also is the SENCO and I'm not sure if this is good or bad but things certainly happen fast.......

Caroline

Good for you. I'm sure that if you're voted in you'll find it, if you don't necessarily enjoyable, you'll certainly find it informative.

Hi Caroline. I wondered if you'd been to your first Gov. mtg. yet and what your oppinion of it was?