17th October 2017

Dear Mums, Dads and Carers,

WE HAVE APARENT GOVERNOR VACANCY

At Ambler we have positive, supportive and active Governors and we have one vacancy for a parent governor, which we need to fill as soon as possible. Parents who have children in Nursery to Year 6 can apply.

What do governors do?

The Governing Body’s main task is to ensure that pupils receive high quality education. The most important requirements for a governor are common sense and willingness to give time; specialist knowledge or relevant experience is useful, but not essential. We welcome those who have a variety of skills and ideas, understanding of finance and an idea of local community groups etc.

Parent governors are welcomed as valued members of the team and play a vital role in ensuring the governing body is aware of the views of parents and the local community. We very much hope that parents from all the many communities in the school would be interested in standing. For any new parent governors, training and support is provided.

Who can be a parent governor?

Anyone who has parental responsibility for a pupil on the school roll at the time of the election can stand for election; may nominate someone for election; and may vote in the election. Roughly speaking, parental responsibility means someone with whom the child is living, but if you are not sure about this, please contact the school office who will be able to explain in more detail. In order to reflect the full diversity of Ambler we particularly welcome nominations for parent governor from parents and carers from Black and Minority Ethnic backgrounds.

How do you get appointed?

You can nominate yourself or any other parent, by filling in the attached form, but every form must be signed by the candidate stating that s/he is willing to stand!Parents wishing to stand are also asked to write a few words (50-100) about themselves and why they wish to become a governor.

If only 1 person expresses an interest, they will automatically be appointed. If more than 2 parents are interested, then we will hold an election. Voting papers will then be sent home by post/pupil post. The ballot is secret. Parents will be able to drop their ballot papers into the secure ballot box in the school office (or post it to the Headteacher marked vote and confidential).The closing date for nominations is TUESDAY 31stOctober 2017 at 4pm.

Where do we go for further information?

If you would like to talk to someone about what being a governor involves please contact the Ambler Office. We aim to support all new governors through mentoring, buddying and training.'

For further information, please see the attached fact sheet about becoming a governor.

Yours sincerely,

Juliet Benis

NOMINATION FORM

Election of a parent governor for Primary School October 2017

Full name (BLOCK CAPITALS):

ADDRESS and POSTCODE:

Parent of:______Class: ______

Full name of PROPOSER (BLOCK CAPITALS) if not proposing self:

Signature:______

Parent of:______Class: ______

Please include a few details about yourself and the reasons why you wish to become a parent governor (between 50-100 words):

All candidates, please ensure that you have read and signed the declaration of eligibility overleaf.

This form must be returned to the school office by TUESDAY 31ST OCTOBER

DECLARATION OF ELIGIBILITY

TO SERVE ON A SCHOOL GOVERNING BODY

In some circumstances, a person is disqualified from holding or continuing to hold office as a school governor. A person may not be a governor:

  • if already holding a governorship at Ambler Primary School;
  • if under 18 years of age.

Also, people who

  • can be compulsorily detained under the Mental Health Act 1983;
  • are bankrupt or disqualified, or are subject to a disqualification undertaking, under the Company Directors Disqualification Act;
  • are subject to a disqualification order under Part 2 of the Companies (Northern Ireland) Order 1989, or disqualification undertaking accepted under the Company Directors Disqualification (Northern Ireland) Order 2002;
  • are subject to an order made under section 429(2)(b) of the Insolvency Act 1986;
  • have been removed from a charity trusteeship by the Charity Commissioners or High Court on the grounds of misconduct or mismanagement;
  • are included in the list of teachers or workers prohibited or restricted from working with children or young persons (currently named List 99);
  • when screened by the Criminal Records Bureau are found to have a conviction which would result in them being unsuitable for working with children;
  • have been disqualified from being an independent school proprietor, teacher or employee in any school by an Independent Schools Tribunal or the Secretary of State;
  • have in the previous five years (or since becoming a governor) been sentenced to three months or more in prison (whether this was suspended or not) without the option of a fine;
  • have in the previous 20 years been sentenced to imprisonment for two and a half years or more;
  • have at any time been sentenced to imprisonment for five years or more;
  • have been fined for causing a nuisance or disturbance on school premises during the five years prior to, or since, appointment or election as a governor may not serve as governors.

Would you please confirm that you are willing and eligible to stand by signing the declaration below.

I declare that I am the parent or guardian of a pupil registered at the school and am not disqualified from serving on a school governing body. If I become disqualified I will give notice of the fact the clerk to the governing body. I will agree to a Criminal Records Bureau check.

I will agree to a Criminal Record Bureau check.

Signed: ______Date: ______

What qualities does a school governor need?

  • Ability to work as a member of a team
  • Ability to ask questions
  • Ability to put school’s interests above personal preferences
  • Ability to respect others with whom you may not agree.
  • Desire to work for the good of pupils
  • Desire to serve the local community
  • Interest in the work of schools
  • Time to read papers and attend meetings
  • Willingness to learn and to attend training

Being a school governor is about:

  • Seeking to see standards raised
  • Agreeing the overall aims of the school
  • Agreeing and monitoring policies
  • Agreeing and monitoring the school budget and salaries
  • Asking questions to check on progress
  • Making sure the National Curriculum is being taught
  • Checking that the school encourages pupils’ spiritual, moral and cultural development, and that pupils’ Special Needs are being met
  • Helping in the appointment of senior staff
  • Ensuring the buildings are properly maintained.