Parent Governor Ballot

25 September 2014

We have had three nominations for 2 parent governor vacancies and must proceed to the election process. Every parent/carer is entitled to vote and we will be sending home ballot papers with the eldest child.

Please take the time to vote.

Nominations received from:-

Dan Fisher

My name is Dan Fisher, parent of Kacie and Jack Fisher. I would like to put my name forward for governor, I am extremely interested in assisting the school with any of my skills, I have run my own business for 12 Years and worked in many schools. As one of jehovahs witnesses I also participate in voluntary teaching.

Katie Mitchell

I would contribute my dedication, focus and organisational skills. I feel confident when putting forward opinions and suggestions. And would strive to find balanced solutions that encourage excellent standards, while keeping our children's best interests at the heart of every decision. I am approachable and feel I could be a good representative for parents.

Andy Pegg

My sons are in Y6 and Y3. I am a passionate and active supporter of our school through Friends of Whitefield – helping the Summer Fair happen! I am an Engineering Manager at BAE SYSTEMS and would bring my team-working and leadership experience to the role. My aim is to maintain a happy and effective learning environment for the children.

School governors are people who want to make a positive contribution to children’s education.

Governors are one of the largest volunteer forces in the country and have an important part to play in raising school standards. The role of the governing body is absolutely key to the effectiveness of a school. Time and time again Ofsted (the national inspection body for schools) has noted that the most effective schools demonstrate effective leadership and management - including by the governing body.

What do governors do?

The governors' role is not about fundraising, neither it is about cheerleading for the school - though governors might do both those things. School governors provide strategic leadership and accountability in schools. Governors appoint the head teacher and are involved in the appointment of other staff. In some schools the site is owned by the governing body. It is governors who hold the main responsibility for finance in schools, and it is governors who work with the head teacher to make the tough decisions about balancing resources.

Each individual governor is a member of a governing body, which is established in law as a corporate body. Individual governors may not act independently of the rest of the governing body. Decisions are the joint responsibility of the governing body.

The role of the governing body is a strategic one, its key functions are to:

set the aims and objectives for the school
set the policies for achieving those aims and objectives
set the targets for achieving those aims and objectives
monitor and evaluate the progress the school is making towards achievement of its aims and objectives
be a source of challenge and support to the headteacher (a critical friend)

The headteacher is responsible for the internal organisation, management and control of the school and the implementation of the strategic framework established by the governing body. For more information visit the National Governor's Association website.

Who can become a governor?

Almost anyone over 18 years of age can become a governor. There are no particular qualifications or requirements, other than a willingness to give time to the role and a capacity for working with other people. There are different types of school with different categories of governor.

The types of state schools in England are:

community
voluntary controlled
voluntary aided
foundation
trust – a type of foundation school
academies, free Schools & City Technology Colleges (CTCs) – independent state funded schools

There are also different categories of governor:

parent
staff
foundation
partnership
local authority
co-opted

We currently have 2 vacancies for parent governor, however all governors have the same roles and responsibilities once part of the governing body.

To be considered you must be the parent or legal guardian of a child registered at our school and you must register an interest with Mrs Martin, Clerk to Governors no later than 12 noon on Monday 22 September 2014.