School governing bodies work with the school to provide the best quality education that there is to offer. Anyone over the age of eighteen is eligible to become a school governor and does not need to be a parent or have any specific qualifications in order to fulfil the role. They are reappointed every four years. Depending on the size of the school, there can be as little as nine members of the governing body and as much as twenty. Governors are unpaid and work voluntarily alongside the head teacher to put in place the school’s aims and policies. Head teachers are offered a place on the governing body and are able to refuse, however most accept. This is a controversial topic as many have different views on whether or not governors should be paid. If governors were paid, they may not have a body filled with members that are passionate about what they are doing. However, as the meetings are held in their own time, some people believe that the role should not be unpaid. Governors must attend a meeting at least once each term to discuss the management of the school and should also attend school events and suitable training. A second meeting may also be held to ensure everything is looked at thoroughly. As written on the School Governors’ One Stop Shop website, the governor’s main responsibilities are:
· Ensuring accountability
· Acting as a ‘critical friend’ to the head teacher
· Monitoring and evaluating the school’s progress
· Budgetary allocation and control
· Planning for the long term future of the school
· Setting the school’s aims and values
· Appointing senior members of staff including the head teacher
Governors must have an interest in the welfare of the children and must listen to other people’s views as well as making their own judgements. There are some problems that can arise within governing bodies. As there are not any special requirements needed to become a school governor and the fact that anyone is eligible, they may not have the same views. Not all of the governors will have background knowledge in education and will just have the interest of the children at heart.
http://www.schools-search.co.uk/school-governors.php
http://www.sgoss.org.uk/read-the-facts/
http://www.newham.gov.uk/educationandlearning/schools/schoolgovernors/
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