Parent Governor Elections
Dear Parent/Carer,
PARENT GOVERNOR ELECTION
I am writing to you to invite nominees to stand for election as a parent governor, or nominate another parent to do so. In our school we have provision for 3 parent governors and there are currently 2 vacancies.
The governing body, with the headteacher, has overall responsibility for the running of the school. Governing bodies have three core strategic functions:
- Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction;
- Holding the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils; and
- Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.
No special qualifications are needed and the most important thing is to have a keen interest in the school and be prepared to play an active part in the governing body’s work. Training is available for all governors and this governing body has an expectation that those new to being a governor attend free induction training.
You should meet the relevant statutory eligibility criteria for school governors as set out in the Regulations and you will have:
- an interest in all the children’s futures
- a desire to make a difference
- a willingness to accept responsibility
- an ability to work in a team, ask questions, listen and learn
Overall, the role of a governor can be described as monitoring and evaluating the progress of the school. This involves being curious, critical, and confident in asking difficult questions. As a governor, you should be good at problem-solving, and prepared to give and take advice. You must also be professional – many of your decisions will be made in strict confidence.
On top of attending regular meetings (which are scheduled both during school hours and out of school hours), governors can also perform voluntary activities, which might make you more effective in your role. For example, school visits could help you to get to know the school and understand its strengths and weaknesses. In addition, you will be sent the agenda for each meeting in advance, as well as any relevant papers, and the minutes from the last meeting. Reading these documents before meetings helps to ensure that you will be engaged and well-prepared for discussions.
The Qualifications and Disqualifications document below summarises the circumstances under which someone cannot serve as a governor. In addition, parents/carers who have paid employment in the school for 500 or more hours per academic year or who are elected members of the Local Authority are not eligible to stand in these elections. Nominations must be from parents or carers with children at the school on the day that nominations close.
If you would like to stand for election please complete the enclosed nomination form and return it to the school office no later than 27th March 2023. You may also include a short personal statement to support your nomination, which should be no longer than 250 words. Self-nominations will be accepted, but if you are nominating another parent please seek their prior consent.
If there are more nominations than vacancies the election will be by secret ballot. If that is necessary, voting papers will be sent to all parents together with details of the ballot procedure.
Yours faithfully,
Lauren Quick
Returning Officer
