11

22

The Induction of New The Induction of New GovernorsGovernors

A Guide for Governing BodiesA Guide for Governing Bodies

Governor Support Unit

33

Thank you for agreeing to serve as a member of the Governing Thank you for agreeing to serve as a member of the Governing Body at one of the Authority’s schools. Members of the Council, Body at one of the Authority’s schools. Members of the Council, along with Headteachers and Staff in schools are appreciative of along with Headteachers and Staff in schools are appreciative of the time given on a voluntary basis by people like yourself, who the time given on a voluntary basis by people like yourself, who are prepared to become involved in ensuring that all local children are prepared to become involved in ensuring that all local children receive a good quality education.receive a good quality education.

As a new Governor, you will have the opportunity to take As a new Governor, you will have the opportunity to take advantage of the wide range of support, help and training available advantage of the wide range of support, help and training available from :from :

•The Governor Support UnitThe Governor Support Unit

•Your school’s dedicated Admin Officer / School Support Your school’s dedicated Admin Officer / School Support OfficerOfficer

•Other members of the Governing BodyOther members of the Governing Body

•School and LEA staffSchool and LEA staff

to enable you to participate as part of the team.to enable you to participate as part of the team.

44

Any Governor who has a particular skill or interest, whether Any Governor who has a particular skill or interest, whether from their workplace, home, or social life, will be encouraged from their workplace, home, or social life, will be encouraged to share these and become involved in all aspects of the work to share these and become involved in all aspects of the work of the Governing Body.of the Governing Body.

The aim of this presentation is to provide information on an The aim of this presentation is to provide information on an induction process for new Governors and includes guidance on induction process for new Governors and includes guidance on ::

•taking the first steps to introduce yourselftaking the first steps to introduce yourself

•Relevant documentation you should receiveRelevant documentation you should receive

•The availability of training and development activitiesThe availability of training and development activities

55

What can be done ?What can be done ?New Governors should be prepared to take an active role New Governors should be prepared to take an active role

within the Governing Body as soon as possible. This must within the Governing Body as soon as possible. This must include :include :

Informing them fully of the work of GovernorsInforming them fully of the work of Governors Filling in gaps in their knowledge about current issues in Filling in gaps in their knowledge about current issues in

educationeducation Offering support for as long as possibleOffering support for as long as possible Working in an informal and non-hierarchical way so that Working in an informal and non-hierarchical way so that

new Governors can make a contribution from the beginningnew Governors can make a contribution from the beginning

This requires :This requires :

Commitment from the whole Governing BodyCommitment from the whole Governing Body A procedure that ensures that new Governors do not slip A procedure that ensures that new Governors do not slip

through the net, but receive the help and support they needthrough the net, but receive the help and support they need

66

The four year term of office introduced in 1988, means The four year term of office introduced in 1988, means that new Governors might join the Governing body at that new Governors might join the Governing body at any time during the year. It also means that turnover any time during the year. It also means that turnover may be a regular, ongoing process.may be a regular, ongoing process.

There have been many complaints about information There have been many complaints about information overload in recent years. It is important that new overload in recent years. It is important that new Governors feel supported and not buried under the Governors feel supported and not buried under the weight of information. Using this guide will help you to weight of information. Using this guide will help you to ensure that they receive the information they need, but ensure that they receive the information they need, but in manageable stages.in manageable stages.

77

Models of Good PracticeModels of Good PracticeMany Governing Bodies in Carmarthenshire have introduced Many Governing Bodies in Carmarthenshire have introduced

schemes to help new Governors to become rapidly familiar schemes to help new Governors to become rapidly familiar with their new role. with their new role.

Here come some examples Here come some examples

IntroductionsIntroductions

Being introduced to a dozen or so new faces all at once could Being introduced to a dozen or so new faces all at once could be intimidating. Instead, consideration could be given to be intimidating. Instead, consideration could be given to having names on place cards in front of each Governor, or having names on place cards in front of each Governor, or each Governor to wear a name badge.. each Governor to wear a name badge..

88

MentoringMentoringAs soon as a new Governor is appointed, an experienced As soon as a new Governor is appointed, an experienced

Governor is quickly identified to help them in their new roleGovernor is quickly identified to help them in their new role

The experienced Governor is acting as a ‘mentor’.The experienced Governor is acting as a ‘mentor’.

The mentor helps the new Governor by :The mentor helps the new Governor by :

Meeting them before the first Governing Body meeting, Meeting them before the first Governing Body meeting, so that there is at least one person present that the new so that there is at least one person present that the new Governor knows.Governor knows.

Going through the papers for the first meeting with the Going through the papers for the first meeting with the new Governor, pointing out important issues for the new Governor, pointing out important issues for the school and helping with problems, such as jargonschool and helping with problems, such as jargon

Explaining the rules of the meeting such as ‘speaking Explaining the rules of the meeting such as ‘speaking through the chair’through the chair’

99

Arranging for the new Governor to be introduced to the Arranging for the new Governor to be introduced to the other members of the Governing Body preferably before or other members of the Governing Body preferably before or during their first meetingduring their first meeting

Sitting with the new Governor at their first meeting to Sitting with the new Governor at their first meeting to answer any procedural or other questionsanswer any procedural or other questions

Formal or informal translation arrangements for a bilingual Formal or informal translation arrangements for a bilingual meetingmeeting

1010

Informal IntroductionsInformal Introductions

On the appointment of the new Governor, the Chairperson On the appointment of the new Governor, the Chairperson arranges arranges for all members of the Governing for all members of the Governing Body to arrive 15 minutes Body to arrive 15 minutes before the official start of the before the official start of the meeting. It is suggested that hot meeting. It is suggested that hot and cold drinks are provided and cold drinks are provided and the Chairperson introduces and the Chairperson introduces the new Governor to the the new Governor to the other members individuallyother members individually

Interests and Agenda ItemsInterests and Agenda Items

Prior to the first Governing Body meeting, the Chair seeks Prior to the first Governing Body meeting, the Chair seeks an an opportunity to talk to the new Governor about opportunity to talk to the new Governor about his/her his/her interests and skills.interests and skills.

Where the new Governor has areas of concern he or she Where the new Governor has areas of concern he or she wishes to wishes to raise, the Chair ensures that it is addressed in raise, the Chair ensures that it is addressed in the agenda the agenda for that meeting, and will ask the new for that meeting, and will ask the new Governor to speak on Governor to speak on this item when the item is this item when the item is addressed.addressed.

1111

The New GovernorThe New Governor

Information and Support Information and Support

in the First Monthin the First Month

1212

New Governors will want to know :New Governors will want to know :

what the job is aboutwhat the job is about

how much time it will takehow much time it will take

what help will be availablewhat help will be available

how to get to know what goes on in the schoolhow to get to know what goes on in the school

A meeting with the Chair and/or Headteacher provides an A meeting with the Chair and/or Headteacher provides an excellent opportunity to brief the new Governor on these excellent opportunity to brief the new Governor on these items, as well as current issues affecting the school.items, as well as current issues affecting the school.

A relaxed and informal meeting should provide the new A relaxed and informal meeting should provide the new Governor with an opportunity to ask those simple, but Governor with an opportunity to ask those simple, but very important questions that are necessary when taking very important questions that are necessary when taking on any new, or unfamiliar role.on any new, or unfamiliar role.

1313

In the first month of appointment, Governors should be In the first month of appointment, Governors should be offered the following support and informationoffered the following support and information

ticktick ActionAction Who is responsibleWho is responsible

Arrange a date for a meeting with Arrange a date for a meeting with the Headteacher and/or Chair, and the Headteacher and/or Chair, and a date for school visita date for school visit

Headteacher or Headteacher or ChairChair

Details of meetings dates already Details of meetings dates already arranged (including Governing arranged (including Governing Body meetings, Governors Annual Body meetings, Governors Annual Report to parents )Report to parents )

Headteacher orHeadteacher or

Chair or Governor Chair or Governor Support OfficerSupport Officer

Given a copy of the ‘School Given a copy of the ‘School Governors : A Guide to the Law’ Governors : A Guide to the Law’ issued by the WAGissued by the WAG

Headteacher or Headteacher or Governor Support Governor Support OfficerOfficer

Given a copy of the last meeting’s Given a copy of the last meeting’s agendaagenda

Headteacher orHeadteacher or

ChairChair

1414

ticktick ActionAction Who is responsibleWho is responsible

Provided with an overview of Provided with an overview of what goes on at each termly what goes on at each termly meeting e.g. Autumn – meeting e.g. Autumn – Chair/Vice, CommitteesChair/Vice, Committees

Headteacher orHeadteacher or

Chair or Governor Chair or Governor Support OfficerSupport Officer

Given a copy of the ’School Given a copy of the ’School Governors Handbook’ issued by Governors Handbook’ issued by Governors WalesGovernors Wales

Headteacher or Headteacher or Governor Support Governor Support OfficerOfficer

Given a copy of the school Given a copy of the school ProspectusProspectus

HeadteacherHeadteacher

Given a copy of the latest Annual Given a copy of the latest Annual Report to ParentsReport to Parents

HeadteacherHeadteacher

Given a copy of the School Given a copy of the School Development PlanDevelopment Plan

HeadteacherHeadteacher

Provided with information on Provided with information on Foundation Training courses and Foundation Training courses and any school-based Governor any school-based Governor Training already arrangedTraining already arranged

Governor Support Governor Support Unit or Unit or Headteacher or Headteacher or ChairChair

1515

The New GovernorThe New Governor

Information and SupportInformation and Support

in the First Three Monthsin the First Three Months

1616

The Headteacher and /or Chair should arrange for the new The Headteacher and /or Chair should arrange for the new Governor to visit the school as soon as possible. This will be Governor to visit the school as soon as possible. This will be an opportunity for the new Governor to become familiar an opportunity for the new Governor to become familiar with the school and meet some of the staff.with the school and meet some of the staff.

ticktick ActionAction Who is Who is responsibleresponsible

Meeting with the Headteacher Meeting with the Headteacher and/or Chairand/or Chair

Headteacher/Headteacher/ChairChair

Visit to the schoolVisit to the school Headteacher/Headteacher/ChairChair

Given details of the school Given details of the school establishment (staffing, class establishment (staffing, class organisation ) and membership of organisation ) and membership of the Governing Bodythe Governing Body

Headteacher / Headteacher / Governor Governor Support OfficerSupport Officer

Given details of policy Given details of policy documentation in operation documentation in operation including the aims of the schoolincluding the aims of the school

HeadteacherHeadteacher

1717

TickTick ActionAction Who is responsibleWho is responsible

Informed on how to have items Informed on how to have items included on the agenda for included on the agenda for Governing Body and Committee Governing Body and Committee meetingsmeetings

Headteacher Headteacher /Chair / Governor /Chair / Governor Support UnitSupport Unit

Opportunity to participate in Opportunity to participate in Foundation TrainingFoundation Training

Governor Support Governor Support UnitUnit

Given the opportunity to Given the opportunity to participate in at least one participate in at least one committee or working group of committee or working group of the Governing Bodythe Governing Body

Governing BodyGoverning Body

1818

Support for GovernorsSupport for Governors

There are a range of support services and written material There are a range of support services and written material available to Governors to help them in fulfilling their duties.available to Governors to help them in fulfilling their duties.

Here are some of the sources :Here are some of the sources :

Welsh Assembly GovernmentWelsh Assembly Government

‘‘Governors Guide to the Law’ – new edition published in Governors Guide to the Law’ – new edition published in January 2003January 2003

1919

Governors WalesGovernors Wales

‘‘School Governors Handbook’ – 3School Governors Handbook’ – 3rdrd edition published in edition published in Summer 2000Summer 2000

Telephone helpline – Telephone helpline – 0845 60 20 100 (local rate) (local rate)

Visit their website – Visit their website – www.governorswales.org.uk

Field officers employed to support local Governors Field officers employed to support local Governors AssociationsAssociations

Conferences for representatives of local Governors Conferences for representatives of local Governors AssociationsAssociations

2020

Carmarthenshire Governor Support UnitCarmarthenshire Governor Support Unit

Supports Governors within the countySupports Governors within the county

Annual Conference for representatives of all Governing Annual Conference for representatives of all Governing Bodies in CarmarthenshireBodies in Carmarthenshire

Experienced Governor Support Officers available to support Experienced Governor Support Officers available to support Governing Bodies and individual GovernorsGoverning Bodies and individual Governors

Advice always available by phoneAdvice always available by phone

Comprehensive Governor Training Programme available Comprehensive Governor Training Programme available each termeach term

Regular newsletterRegular newsletter

Written support materialsWritten support materials

2121

The Governor Support TeamThe Governor Support TeamKen Davies

Unit Manager

01267 224516

Jane Rees

Administrative Officer

01267 224508

Rhiannydd Jones-Evans

Administrative Assistant

01267 224564

Zara James

Clerical Assistant

01267 224519

2222

All Wales Centre of Excellence for All Wales Centre of Excellence for Governor Training and ResearchGovernor Training and Research

Research into Governor training in WalesResearch into Governor training in Wales

Advice, information and newslettersAdvice, information and newsletters

Consultancy servicesConsultancy services