Stockport Governor Association

Steve Revill, a parent governor himself, writes:

I think that, like most fellow parent governors, it all started off by originally getting involved with a bit of fundraising for the PTA or similar. I can still remember when the PTA meeting went slightly over its time and I was asked by the then headteacher of Abingdon Primary School if I would consider becoming a parent governor as the they had an up and coming vacancy. Ten years later I have become the Chair of Governors at that same school and also a parent governor at Reddish Vale Technology College (RVTC).

I personally love being a parent governor, as it gives me an opportunity to listen to both sides of the story, such as when my sons come home from school and complain about various things at the school, like the state of the building, changes in staff, long queues at dinners, vertical tutor groups, etc etc. I then go to the governors' meeting and listen to the headteacher complaining about the state of the building, changes in staff, long queues at dinners , vertical tutor groups etc etc!!

I am still surprised at the amount of paperwork which I am asked to digest every term, but I can honestly say it is getting easier and easier each year. I am starting to see the same acronyms so I know that as a parent governor I have no individual responsibility or power, but that the Governing Body is a corporate body and that collectively we can make a difference. It was daunting at first being a parent governor but, as I have said previously, it gets easier and you do start to feel that you are part of something very important!

don't have to go on the internet or ask someone their meaning. I am seeing reports, budgets, forecasts etc in the same format which really helps when you want to remind yourself what was reported in previous years.
At Governors' meetings I realise that as well as listening/speaking on behalf of other parents I can also express my own view. I do recognise that, while elected by parents, I am not a representative of the parent body, but a governor in my own right.

Both the company and the school I work for have very similar budgets to control and monitor. So whenever I do make certain points on the finances I know that my comments are always listened to. This really does give me encouragement to try and learn more about the school.
One of the many pleasures I get from being a governor is that I receive many invitations to attend things other than governors at meetings. I love to see the talent that so many young people possess, be it in, maths, art, performance, English; in fact, whatever the subject, then I have seen great examples. I have seen students speak in front of MPs, local politicians, large audiences and the rapturous reception they receive shows me that the more we can help and understand what schools are trying to achieve, then the more governors can help schools to achieve their goals.

Thank you to all my fellow parent governors and don't forget that if you have any questions, no matter how trivial they may seem, and you want to speak to someone outside school, then GOVAS is here to answer or help with any queries. 

Good luck.