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Training News
In this section you will find details of training opportunities organised to support and
school governors.
Induction of New Governors
Below, and available to download, is the local authority welcome letter sent to new governors, briefly highlighting the role and the responsibility of the position.
A checklist of actions to support new governors
It is important that new governors are made to feel welcome and a part of the school community as well as the governing body.
There are a number of steps that can be taken within school that will have a significant impact on that welcome and the new governor's
participation in the life and work of the school.
a) On taking up appointment and before the first full meeting of the governing body the governor will achieve the following tasks
- Ensure the new governor receives a letter of welcome from the Head and Chair, outlining the support that will be available.
- Invite the new governor to an informal meeting at the school to meet with the head and chair and at which a range of issues might be discussed:
- the interests and experience of the new governor so that their interests and expertise can be harnessed effectively, particularly with regard to committees of the governing body;
- any constraints or difficulties that may hinder the new governor’s effectiveness and participation;
- ground rules including the issue of 'confidentiality';
- a brief guide to the way in which the governing body is organised and carries out its work;
- the likely time demands and probable timetable of events;
- whether the new governor would welcome a letter for his/her employer which encourages the employer to provide an allocation of paid time off for governor duties (recognising that there are no national 'rules' for this);
- whether the new governor would like an experienced governor who could act as mentor of 'buddy' for perhaps the first year;
- any immediate questions for the new governor.
- Arrange a time to show the new governor around the school (by a pupil?).
- Provide the new governor with an initial range of useful reading/reference material which might include:
- the School Prospectus;
- a copy of the Governors’ Handbook (where available);
- a copy of 'A Guide to the Law for School Governors';
- a map of the school;
- details of the school's 'Who's who?';
- copies of the last 2 or 3 previous head teacher reports to the governing body;
- the most recent Annual Report to Parents;
- the most recent OFSTED Report and action plan;
- a list of useful websites (if appropriate);
- any specific publications that address the needs of a new governor.
It should be noted that the new governor will have been sent a copy of the Local Authority's Induction Pack following notification of their
appointment.
A copy of this booklet (2 versions) is available to download here on eRiding via the links below:
b) The new governor's first meeting
If the new governor has requested a supporting governor, it helps if the two can have a brief discussion before the meeting, particularly
when the agenda has arrived, so that the procedures for the meeting can be explained and clarified.
There are a number of key issues for the chair of the meeting to bear in mind to ensure that the new governor’s first experience of a
governors’ meeting is encouraging and positive:
- ensure, as the very first item, that everyone is introduced to the new governor, each governor perhaps describing on whose behalf they are a governor and any responsibilities they carry out on behalf of the governing body;
- ensure that the use of jargon has an associated explanation;
- involve the new governor in any discussion by positively inviting a contribution, particularly if an item covers the particular interests or area of expertise of the new governor;
- ensure that where the new governor joins a committee of the governing body, the chair of that committee has a few words with the new governor at the end of the meeting.
c) After the first meeting
For many new governors, the first meeting can be a daunting occasion.
A little time spent after it will help to clarify any outstanding questions or issues and continue with the induction
process, including:
- providing the new governor with additional documents that relate to the day-to-day working of the school, including the annual Improvement Plan and any details on pupil achievement (there will be the need to talk through these in some detail);
- arranging if possible a further visit to the school to see it at work and to meet with staff;
- ensuring that in the next communication to parents, a welcome to the new governor is included, together with a small profile if that is thought to be appropriate by the new governor.
Effective induction of new governors by the school and governing body has been shown to result in:
- a more effective contribution over time to the work of the school and the governing body by the new governor;
- a greater degree of interest by the new governor in school governance in general;
- a more supportive new governor in terms of celebrating the good aspects of the school in the local community;
- a greater clarity for the new governor in their understanding of the ‘corporate’ nature of the governing body’s work, roles and responsibilities.
Dowload the information above in printable form via the link below:
If you require further information please contact:
Susan Tite, School Network Adviser (Governance/Sustainability)
Tel: 01482 392403
E-mail: sue.tite@eastriding.gov.uk
Iain Edmiston, Senior Governors' Support Officer
Tel: (01482) 392443
E-mail: iain.edmiston@eastriding.gov.uk
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