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I'm A New Governor - What Do I Do?
Following election as a Parent or Staff Governor, appointment by the Local Authority, or co-option as a Community Governor, you will receive a formal letter of appointment and a "Welcome Pack" which will help your understanding of the Governor's role.
The Welcome Pack also includes a monitoring form and pre-addressed envelope so that you can confirm your contact details to the Governor Support Team. These details will be used only in connection with your role as a Governor by the Local Authority and the Sheffield Association of School Governing Bodies. It is important that you complete and return the form, as it also provides us with information that will help ensure that Governing Bodies are representative of their communities.
The Welcome Pack also includes a monitoring form and pre-addressed envelope so that you can confirm your contact details to the Governor Support Team. These details will be used only in connection with your role as a Governor by the Local Authority and the Sheffield Association of School Governing Bodies. It is important that you complete and return the form, as it also provides us with information that will help ensure that Governing Bodies are representative of their communities.
Your Welcome Pack contains an Induction Checklist which suggests some, though not all, of the key information about the school that you need to know. It is a good idea to contact the Chair of the Governing Body and/or the Headteacher and to discuss your role, particularly if there are things you feel unsure about.
Your Welcome Pack also contains a Governor Training Booklet showing a range of courses available, including Induction for New Governors. You will also receive a Sheffield Guarantee for Governors showing other ways to access support and information and routes by which you can gain accreditation for your contribution. Most Governing Bodies have a Training Co-ordinator Governor who can offer further support and guidance, so you should find out who this is and talk to them.
You will receive an agenda, along with the Headteacher's termly report and other papers for the first meeting of the Governing Body that you attend. You should get this at least 7 days before the meeting. Governing Bodies are increasingly using email to circulate papers (with hard copy available at the meeting) so it is important that you give your email address.
If you are appointed quite a while before the next full meeting of the Governing Body it is a good idea to ask to attend one or more of the committee meetings so that you can get involved and get to know other Governors. There should be similar arrangements in place for distribution of agendas and supporting papers for committee meetings, although practice varies between Governing Bodies.
The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF), provides a Guide to the Law for School Governors. This is available as a CD Rom or can be accessed and/or downloaded from Governornet. Ask your school if they have a CD Rom available for you. It includes material from New Governor Induction Training and programmes for Governors from Teachers' TV .
You can find out lots more about being a Governor on these pages or through various useful websites. If you would like to speak to someone directly, or if you haven't received an appointment letter and Welcome Pack, please contact the Governor Support Team.
If you have any queries or require any further information about your role as a Governor, don't hesitate to contact us here at the Governor Support Team, on (0114) 250 6868.
If you have any queries or require any further information about your role as a Governor, don't hesitate to contact us here at the Governor Support Team, on (0114) 250 6868.
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