Involvement as a School Governor
In November 2022 CViE held an Online Meet-Up to encourage our supporters to consider becoming a school governor. This article, updated from the September 2004 CViE Newsletter, reminds us of the importance of Christian parents considering this avenue of service.
“(In most schools there are places for parent representatives on the Board of Governors. Often there is a shortage of Governors and there is likely to be a welcome to any parent who is able to give their time for this work. It can be a wonderful opportunity for Christian influence in the school. An account by one Governor is given below.)
I have been a Governor of the local Primary School for 10 years, the last of which has been as ‘Chair’. The school is a very small Church of England school with less than 100 pupils from Year R (reception aged 4) to Year 6 (age 11). Most of the Governors are appointed by either the Parochial Church Council (PCC) or the Diocesan Board of Education. There must also be representatives from the teaching and non-teaching members of staff and from the parents. The Headteacher is a Governor and, being a Church School, so is the local Vicar.
Although the day to day running of the school is the responsibility of the Headteacher, the Governors must make sure that all statutory policies are in place and are being followed. The role is therefore largely one of monitoring, or as some have described it, playing the part of a ‘critical friend’. Policies such as Religious Education and Sex Education are decided upon by the Governors. There may also be opportunities to influence other policies such as behaviour and discipline. Of course there will be variation between schools.
We meet three times a term for full Governor’s Meetings, and various subcommittees will also meet during the term. These cover such areas as Finance, Curriculum and Premises. Schools will also encourage Governors to make visits to the school during the working day to monitor particular aspects. This might be whether the school is getting value for money from outside music or science tuition that it has bought in, or how the behaviour policy is being consistently applied. Very often those parents who make the time to help in this way can have a significant influence on the outcome of decisions. Outside of meetings and visits there may be little commitment in terms of time, although as ‘Chair’ I have found the time commitment to be very considerable with much reading material to wade through each month.
For me, the particular interest of becoming a Governor was to find out more about how the school works and to be able to contribute to its ethos. We feel very privileged that there is a strong Christian ethos in our school, and being a Church school, this is something that we are allowed to actively promote.
In Church schools the Governors are the employers of the teaching staff. I have always tried to be on the interview panel and seek prayerfully to influence the appointments made. We are able to ask questions about the way in which candidates would uphold the Christian ethos and what is their personal Christian commitment. Of course, this would not be permissible in a State school. We have even been known to start selection and appointment meetings with prayer!
It must always be borne in mind that, especially in a State school, a Christian Governor may be in a small minority or even unique on the Governing Board. In such circumstances we must recognise the views of others and accept that democracy has to prevail. Nevertheless the opportunity to influence can still be great. I would encourage anyone interested in becoming a Governor to do so. It can be very rewarding. A very important means of support of any school and those working in it is, of course, through prayer.”
For further reading
From GOV.UK: Become a school or college governor
From the Church Times: Education: Should you become a school governor?
From Parent Power: The importance of school governors
From Governors for Schools, a PDF guide: The Role of a School Governor
VIDEO, from The Christian Institute: Salt & light in education, Part 3: Parents as salt and light in education
VIDEO, from Christian Concern: How can I best influence my local school?
