Guest Speaker!!

Today guest speaker Steve Hull came in to talk to us about the role of the Governing Body within schools. Knowing very little about what the Governors did during my time in school, I was intreged to learn more. Steve ensured us that all would become clear after today's lecture. 

He asked if any of us knew the general role of a governor, faced with silence it was evident that despite governors being part of our education and time at school, nobody knew exactly what they did. Little did I know, that the governors have a major impact on many various issues within the school environment. However, there is a difference between actual reality and what they should be doing. Ideally, governors have specified roles concerning the school's well being. 

Every school has a governing body consisting of 10-20 people depending upon the size of the school. All governors are volunteers, Steve said that there are no qualifications required to become a governor, instead they must want the school to succeed in many ways. 

Essentially governors should set broad aims for the school whilst working alongside the headteacher. They establish the basic but fundamental foundations of the school, they help decide important decisions, e.g. how money is spent i.e. determining staff pay. 

The governing body have to issue a report in regards to the success or lack of success of the school. The report has to include the destination of last year pupils, attendance of all pupils and exam results. The role of the governor comes with great responsibility which also needs a lot of focus and honesty. This is because, primarily their role is to monitor the school.  

However, despite no qualifications being required there are some requirements; in order to be a governor it is best to be from the local area and to have a stake in the school (e.g. having a child in the school). There are no need for expertise, only that as an individual you care and want the school to reach its absolute potential and success. 

Steve conjured up the debate of whether governors should be paid or not. There are arguements for yes and no. Governors should be paid for their role as its a vitally important and highly responsible job which requires hard work and time in order to achieve an effective governing body. On the other hand, there is an argument for no as it could possibly attract the wrong sort of people, who are more concerned with the money who have no genuine concern for the school. 

There are many sub groups within the governing body, consisting of; parent, teacher, LEA, staff, community and head. Parent governors are the largest group who are elected by the parents. The governing body needs to meet up at least once a term, this is binded by law. 

Steve will be taking a few more lectures which I am rather looking forward to. He said a lot would become more clearer in the next few weeks so I shall keep you updated.