Could you be a Parent Governor at Hope Valley College?

We are seeking parents and carers who could be new Parent Governors at the college. This is a chance to make a positive difference to the college, supporting the leadership team as we take the next important steps in the college’s development.

As you may know, we currently have a Transition Board appointed by Chorus Education Trust overseeing governance at the school. The aim is for the new Local Governing Body (LGB) to shadow them until some point in the autumn term when they will then officially take over. This is a rare opportunity to learn from experienced colleagues before taking on responsibility for governance.

What’s involved in the role?

The school Local Governing Body’s main tasks are:

•   To ensure the school has a clear vision, ethos and strategic direction.

•   To hold the Principal to account for the educational performance of the school and its students.

•   To oversee the financial performance of the college and ensuring its money is well spent. The role is often described as being a ‘critical friend’ – offering support whilst not being afraid to

  question and challenge, holding the leadership to account.

  Being a governor is a voluntary position, i.e. unpaid.

  Is a Parent Governor role different to other governors?

  No, as a parent governor your role is the same as the other governors, but you bring a parental perspective to the strategic decisions that the board makes. Although you are not there to speak on behalf of parents and carers, you can help the board understand parents’ views and remind them to factor the parent community into discussions. Understanding parents’ opinions helps the board to make good decisions and helps guarantee there is a link between governance and the parent community.

  What time commitment is needed?

  You will be expected to attend the full meeting of the LGB and one or two of sub-committees every term. These meetings usually take place at the college and last for up to two hours on a weekday evening. You will need time to read the papers beforehand and to plan any questions or comments you wish to make during the meeting. You will also need time to undertake training for the role. Much of this can be via online courses, but there may also be opportunities to attend courses in person.

  How will this work during lockdown?

  During the Covid-19 lockdown we are holding governor meetings via online video conferences. All papers are shared via our online hub as usual.

What skills and experience do you need?

Above all else, you need to be committed to the college and want to make a difference to young people’s lives. If you have experience of governance or education, that is useful, but full training and support is given. This will include in house mentoring and support from the governing body members as well as access to external governor training.

If you have experience in any of the following areas that could be useful:

•   The world of education, particularly around the curriculum and student progress.

•   Human Resources.

•   Law.

•   Contracts and purchasing.

•   Facilities management / health & safety.

•   Finance.

•   Governance.

•   ICT.

•   Safeguarding and pastoral.

•   Organisation development.

•   Leadership and management.

  The Governing Body also consists of representatives from the staff and the community. This ensures we have a wide range of skills and experiences.

  What are the benefits of being a governor?

  As a governor, you can make a meaningful difference to your child’s school and give something back. You can also gain the opportunity to further develop your existing professional skills with an organisation that really benefits from them, and you can gain valuable experience for your own development.

  Who is eligible to be a Parent Governor?

  Please note that elected governors will be asked to complete a self-declaration form to confirm that they are eligible to serve as a governor.

  You must have a child at the school during this or the next academic year. You are not eligible to be a Parent Governor if you work at the school for more than 500 hours per year. In addition, as there is a statutory limit to the number of local authority associated governors who are either currently directly employed by Derbyshire County Council or current or recent county councillors, you will have to declare that on the form. (If you fail to make a declaration and it is subsequently found that you fall into one of these categories and the statutory limit has been exceeded then you will be disqualified).

  What happens next?

  If you want to put yourself forward for a Parent Governor position, please complete the form on  our websiteour website Hope Valley College by 12 noon on Friday 19th June. Please note that your application should be supported by two sponsors who must be parents/carers of students in school.

  If only two people are nominated, then they will be automatically declared as Parent Governors. If there are more nominations than places, a ballot of current parents/carers will be held to elect the Parent Governors. For this purpose nominees are invited to prepare a short statement which will be circulated with the ballot papers. The length of the statement should not be more than 200 words.

  Want further information?

  If you would like further information before deciding whether to stand please contact

  info@chorustrust.org

  Yours sincerely,

  Mrs Gaynor Jones Principal