Below are a list of the most Frequently Asked Questions in relation to being a Governor.
If the question you would like answered is not listed, please contact The Governors Service Team
Q. Where can I find a model Policy for governor visits?
A. Managed well, structured visits to school by governors can help immeasurably in governors' understanding of their school, its teachers and its pupils and can help to strengthen working relationships between staff and governors. They can bring another perspective to whole-school evaluation of progress. Governors Service has a guide called 'Developing an Effective Governing Body Classroom Visits Policy' which should help you with this.
Q. When I have a parent governor vacancy, do I have to send out nomination papers to all parents and what should I tell them?
A. The headteacher or chair of governors should inform all parents of a forthcoming election, as soon as possible after the vacancy arises (or beforehand if you know that a vacancy is going to occur). Don't forget that parents are not eligible to become parent governors if they work more than 500 hours at the school in a school year at the time of election or appointment or if they are elected members of the county council. A sample recruitment flyer, letter and nomination form can be found in the Procedure for the Election/Appointment of Governors, which also contains a definition of a parent, and a ballot form. Once the election has been completed, all parents of registered pupils should be informed of the result by letter and by notices posted up in the school.
The Procedure was updated in January 2008 and can be found on the Policies and Guidance page of this website.
NB The 500 hours refers only to parent governors. To be appointed as a community, LA or foundation governor, you cannot work at the school at all.
Q. I am a parent governor and I would like to work at the school (ie paid by the school). Can I remain as a parent governor?
A. Yes, you can remain as a parent governor because you were appointed before you took employment at the school. However, you will not be entitled to stand as a parent governor again. If you wanted to continue as a governor, you would have to stand as a staff governor.
Q. I have just become a Performance Management governor and we have just begun the process of reviewing the Headteacher's performance. How do we go about this?
A. Good luck with this important role. Performance management is a vehicle which enables the headteacher, with appointed governors, to develop an accurate view of his/her overall current performance and agree objectives which meet the identified needs of the individual and the school. It should be a process which is embedded within the strategic cycle of school governance.
School Improvement Partners have now been allocated to schools and they will carry out the role previously handled by the external adviser. New guidelines have been produced and will be provided to those who attend the training.
Q. When do I need to renew governors Pecuniary Interest forms?
A. Pecuniary Interest forms should be completed annually. It is advisable to do this at the first meeting of the Autumn term when the election of Chair and Vice Chair is carried out, and the committees decided upon. Also, when a new governor is elected or appointed, ensure they complete a form. Keep an up to date annual Register of the Pecuniary Interest forms as the auditors and HMI will ask to see it. As part of FMSiS, it is recommended to verbally declare an interest, if relevant, at each full governing body meeting.
Q. Is there an explanation for all the acronyms I come across?
A. New governors receive a Governors Glossary from Northamptonshire County Council. There is also a Glossary at the back of the Guide to the Law, which is provided to governors by the DCSF as a CD-ROM.
Q. The school has received a letter from an insurance company 'inviting' us to take up some important insurance with them. Do we need extra insurance?
A. Governors are covered under the NCC insurance. This gives Employee Liability and Public Liability, with a £40 million indemnity. If you wish to take out extra insurance, you may do so but you do not need to purchase extra insurance.