What do Governors do ?
Becoming a school governor is one of the most important ways in which you can help your local school.
School governors are responsible for making sure the school provides a good quality education. Together with the Head Teacher, who is responsible for day‐to‐day management, they set the school's aims and policies as well as carrying out a number of other important duties including, deciding how the school's budget is spent, appointing and dismissing of staff, and forming policy on the school's curriculum.
An effective Governing body is a 'critical friend' and works to support and challenge the Headteacher and school staff.
Governors fall into a number of categories:
Parent Governors, who are parents of children in school, and who are elected by the current parents;
Teacher/Staff Governors, members of staff, elected by the teaching and support staff;
LA Governors, appointed by the Local Authority (LA);
Community Governors, members of the local community, appointed by the Governing Body;
Headteacher ‐ the Headteacher is normally a member of the Governing Body, and reports to the Governing Body about the school's activities and performance;
Associate Member, appointed by the Governing Body, but not a governor i.e. is a visitor/observer and has no voting rights (in Pontllanfraith our Deputy Headteacher attends meetings ‐ she is invited to support the Headteacher in reporting to Governors and her attendance ensures that she is fully informed of governors views and decisions).
Interested in becoming a Governor?
You don't have to be a parent of a child at the school, but if you are you can also know that you are having a direct influence on the quality of your child's education. If you were to become a school governor, advice, support and training in carrying out the role is given by our Governor Support and Development Service and much of the work is done in working groups or sub‐committees where you can share your experience with other members.
The term of office for a school governor is normally four years. Being a school governor is demanding but rewarding and a good way of putting something into your local community.
In Pontllanfraith we meet virtually once a term on a Monday at 5pm and in person (often with staff) once a term on a Wednesday at 3:45pm. Most Governors also attend sub-committee meetings (usually once a term) and these are usually on Wednesdays after school. In addition, Governors also meet with key members of staff from time to time, according to their role and this is often within the school day or after school.
The school advertises parent governor vacancies as and when they arise.
If you are interested in finding out more about becoming a governor and what it involves please see Information for Prospective Governors
.