Parent power

Many primary and secondary schools in Oxfordshire have vacancies for parent governors and are keen to find mums or dads willing to fill those positions.

Ann Battersby, head teacher of North Kidlington primary school, was previously head of three other schools and has many years’ experience of working with governors.

She emphasised how integral governors are to the running of a school.

“Governors are part of your thought process. It is an incredibly important role because we work very closely together,” she explained.

“As head, it is my decision ultimately, but if I am debating something I go to them to discuss it and listen to their opinions,” she added.

There are several different types of governor and a school’s governing body normally includes representatives from staff, the local education authority, parents and the community.

There may be as many as 20 governors in a school and they usually meet four or six times a year to discuss issues such as recruitment, finance, the curriculum and day-to-day management.

In terms of parent governors specifically, Ann Battersby believes they make a valuable contribution that is vital to the wellbeing of the school.

“We would hope for someone who can make a balanced judgement and has the confidence to bring views to us, for instance, if parents had concerns we weren’t aware of.

“Parent governors are your link to other parents and can be a bridge,” she added.

But she confirmed that recruitment of parent governors can be difficult, as an increasing number of mothers as well as fathers go out to work full-time.

“One of the ways we have tried to recruit is to talk to parents who already play an active part in school and ask them if they have ever thought of being a governor.

“Often they haven’t considered it but if and when they do come on board they realise what a huge contribution they can make,” she added.

For more information about what becoming a parent governor entails and to find out which schools in Oxfordshire have vacancies, visit the website www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/governors or contact your local school.

CASE STUDY: RUTH SWIFT

Full-time mother-of-four Ruth Swift has been a parent governor at Henry Box secondary school in her home town of Witney for three years.

Her children Jess, 15, Ben, 14, and Callum, 12, are all students there, while youngest son, Harry attends The Blake primary school, also in Witney Before that, she served as a parent governor at the Batt primary school also in Witney, which her youngest son, Harry, 10, still attends.

She has attended various training courses, run by Oxfordshire’s governor services and found them extremely useful.

“There is a lot of support available. You go on an induction course when you start which gives you the basics, then depending on what you are interested in, you can go on to learn about more detailed areas,” she explained.

“I decided to do it because I had time to make difference in my children’s school.

“I know the staff in a way I wouldn’t normally and have an opportunity to voice an opinion on what is happening.

“As a parent governor, when you first stand you have to say why you want people to vote for you. In my case, I have a particular interest in dyslexic children.

“I enjoy being the voice for other parents and my role is to pass on their views,” she added.

Finally, she has this advice for any parents who are considering taking the plunge: “As long as they have some passion for their child’s school and education, anybody can be a parent governor.

“If you are thinking of standing because you have a personal bugbear or can only see your own child’s needs, then this is not the role for you. But if you care about children per se, then go for it.”

CASE STUDY: TONY LEAKE

There are many rewards from being a parent governor, according to retired police officer Tony Leake.

Now chair of the board of governors at North Kidlington primary school, he became a parent governor in 1993 when the youngest of his three grown-up daughters was ten.

“My motivation was two-fold. I had some free time outside my job and wanted to give something back to the school,” he said.

“One of the things that attracted me was that it was completely different to what I was doing professionally.”

He feels strongly that someone not in professional employment should not be deterred.

“If they are a full-time mum that doesn’t preclude them, in fact that’s just as valuable as someone who is in a professional career,” Mr Leake pointed out.

“There isn’t a particular qualification that recommends any one person to become a governor over another. The main criteria is that they are willing to volunteer to do the role,” he added.

He admitted that a new governor would probably find the first few meetings a bit of a mystery, but not to be put off.

“There is a learning curve to understand the nature of the governors’ work and how an individual can slot in and make a contribution.

“Often that can be no more than being able to express an opinion and have a view, but the person can involve themselves as much or as little as they wish.

“The head manages the school, we are just there to help and support her.

“When I was a parent governor, it was the satisfaction of knowing that by being present and expressing an opinion, it was of value to that body of people.

“And I learned a lot more about the educational process and how it works.

“It is rewarding to be part of a school that is performing well and doing all the right things.

“I can highly recommend it if someone’s got a little bit of time they are prepared to give up, it is a worthwhile experience.”