The role of a governor is highly
responsible and your accountability is significant. This is what the DfE
(Department for Education) say about being an effective governor, and note you
need to:
Ensure clarity of vision, ethos and strategic
direction;
Hold the headteacher to account for the educational
performance of the school and its pupils, and the performance management of
staff; and
Oversee the financial performance of the school and
making sure its money is well spent.
This seems intimidating but you realise
that it is the collective role of the governing body to do this and does not
fall on your shoulders alone. Phew!
- Governors provide support and challenge at strategic level
This is a collective role, and it is
important to have a clear appreciation of the role of governance and that of
the head and senior team who ensure the operational function, whilst having an
interest in the strategic leadership of the school.
Support and
challenge means that governors ask often the tricky questions, and listen to
the school’s answers to ensure that pupils’ outcomes are as good as possible.
In discussing outcomes, this means progress from starting points (into nursery,
middle school, KS2, sixth form and so on); behaviour and attitudes to learning
– including attendance, rewards and sanctions; preparation for the next steps
in education and training (whatever is suitable for the type of school you are
in); and personal development.
It is not for governors to tell the school
what and how to do things but to ensure that the outcomes for pupils are of as
high a standard as possible. Challenge stereotypes and entrenched beliefs –
young humans are immensely adaptable and habits of good learning give an
advantage throughout life. Pupils have no limits to their capability, and can
achieve almost anything with the right support and time.
2. Building relationships with the staff and students
Get to know the school by attending events,
assemblies, special occasions. Perhaps drop in for 30 minutes before a formal
meeting or complete a short learning walk with a senior team colleague. If you
are asked make time to attend disciplinary meetings or exclusion hearings, this
is an important way of supporting the school.
- Being
part of a team of governors that makes an impact
It is the collective governing board that
makes the difference and working as part of a team for the good of a school of
children or young people will bring a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction
for you. A good school provides on-going training and information for its
governors so that new skills and knowledge areas are developed, and takes the
external perspective provided by governors into account when making important
decisions. For most governors the role enables you to expand your understanding
and perspective on education and your expertise from outside school can be
brought to make a positive impact.
- Challenge
when needed for the school, and support too
Governors are often described as ‘critical
friends’ to the school. Getting the right balance between criticism and
friendliness is key. You don’t want a headteacher and senior team always on the
defensive through excess criticism, but at the same time, a strong governing
body challenges the school, through its senior staff, to further improve for
the benefit of the pupils.
- Using
external sources to triangulate
Each year a range of data is made available
to governors to provide an external check against the information given to you
by the head and senior team. Take time to read and understand the RAISEonline
report. It has a series of questions that governors can use to help understand
how the school is doing compared to other similar ones and national averages.
The autumn-published performance tables also allow governors to compare
different data between schools.
Check what parents are saying on the ParentView website.
Reviews by external groups or individuals can also provide information to the governing board, such as a multi-academy trust review, or local authority safeguarding visit or Ofsted.
6. 6. Stay strategic
Governance is about being shrewd,
thoughtful, decisive, wise, discerning and prudent. It is about what is best
for the pupils, first and foremost.
Dr. Fiona Hammans, Associate Director, Ease Training
Dr. Fiona Hammans, Associate Director, Ease Training
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