WANTED – Parent Governors

Our school Governing Body is made up of Governors from all walks of life and many come to us through a variety of routes and with a range of different backgrounds, skills and experiences, but they are all volunteers who work together for the benefit of the school and are the link between the school and the community it serves.

We want you -

We are currently looking for new Parent Governors and would be delighted to hear from anyone who has:

• An interest in the strategic direction of the school and wider education matters.
• A desire to contribute and represent the community.
• A commitment to support staff in a range of matters
• The ability to make informed judgements on a wide spectrum of education and / or administrative matters.
• The ability to work in a solution-based team
• Confidence to ask questions constructively and make valued contributions

If you feel you match the above description, you may be the very person to become a Governor at Ashgate Primary School. Everyone has something to offer and we want people from as many backgrounds and with as wide a range of interests as possible.

What can we offer?

• A chance to develop skills in strategic management.
• The opportunity to work with our team of governors and staff in improving our school.
• The pleasure of helping students reach their potential.
• A sense of achievement and civic duty.
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Why have a Governing Body and a Headteacher? 

The Headteacher is responsible for management of the school, ensuring that strategic plans are implemented, the curriculum is delivered effectively and that the policies of the school are acted upon. He or she make the ‘chalk-face’ decisions to ensure that children are cared for, socially, emotionally and academically on a day-to-day basis, in line with the school’s policies. 

The Governing Body provides the strategic management and long- term direction for the school; it acts as a ‘critical friend’ to ensure that standards are high and maintained. Governors act, not as individuals, but as a group to support the work of the Headteacher, staff and pupils. School Governing Bodies are the largest voluntary group in the United Kingdom. They are unpaid and give up their time freely.

It is important to emphasise that it is the role of the Headteacher to coordinate and manage day to day management and leadership of the school, what is referred to as ‘operational matters’, whilst governors focus on the wider ‘strategic’ elements of school life.  Parent governors are not a sounding board for parentsnor can they raise personal matters for governor review. 

What is the composition of our Governing Body? 

The Governing Body of Ashgate Primary School is led by Mr Paul Bahti (Chair), elected by the Governing Body from within its membership. Staff members, including the Headteacher, cannot be elected to this office. 

Governing bodies are made up of key stakeholders:

Parents - Parent Governors are elected by other parents at the school.
Staff - including the Headteacher - Staff Governors (teaching and non-teaching) are elected by the school staff.
The Local Community - the Governing Body appoints Community Governors i.e. members of the local community.
The Local Authority (LA) - appoints one or more Authority Governors. 

What do governors do and how did they attain this role? 

Great emphasis is given to recruiting Governors who can bring professional skills to their work on the various committees, so that we are qualified to conduct the School in line with our statutory duties. These include promoting high standards of educational achievement, acting in a strategic manner to help the development of the School through effective management of resources and working closely with the School Senior Leadership Team to create and promote the School's values.

More information is available on ‘About Us’ at the school website: 

www.ashgate.derby.sch.uk

When?

Governing body meetings occur termly with the target of lasting no more than 2 hours.  Prior to the meeting, Governors will be expected to review documents and information so that they are able to ask appropriate questions, make recommendations or provide guidance.