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Kumbayah and cake? No, Mr Gove, here's what a governor really does Kumbayah and cake? No, Mr Gove, here's what a governor really does
(about 2 hours later)
Michael Gove has told school governors to stop pouring sherry and slicing cake and to toughen up. This is all in a bid to root out poor teaching and ensure taxpayers are getting value for money.Michael Gove has told school governors to stop pouring sherry and slicing cake and to toughen up. This is all in a bid to root out poor teaching and ensure taxpayers are getting value for money.
"The thing about being a governor is that it's not just a touchy-feely, sherry pouring, cake-slicing exercise in hugging each other and singing Kumbayah," the education secretary told the launch of the Inspiring Governors Alliance, an organisation formed to plug governor vacancies and improve the calibre and diversity of volunteers."The thing about being a governor is that it's not just a touchy-feely, sherry pouring, cake-slicing exercise in hugging each other and singing Kumbayah," the education secretary told the launch of the Inspiring Governors Alliance, an organisation formed to plug governor vacancies and improve the calibre and diversity of volunteers.
Well, Mr Gove, being a governor is no picnic – and as for ensuring value for money, there's precious little cash to spend in the first place. As a white, middle-class, chair of governors of a good secondary academy in a wealthy area of Surrey, you might think I fall within Gove's sights. So let me share a little of my week with you – and him – or at least the bits that aren't protected by commercial sensitivity or confidentiality restrictions.Well, Mr Gove, being a governor is no picnic – and as for ensuring value for money, there's precious little cash to spend in the first place. As a white, middle-class, chair of governors of a good secondary academy in a wealthy area of Surrey, you might think I fall within Gove's sights. So let me share a little of my week with you – and him – or at least the bits that aren't protected by commercial sensitivity or confidentiality restrictions.
Of the 58 governor-related emails I have had over the past seven days, many are concerned with money – mainly the school's lack of it. We've just failed to get any capital funding from the government for building this year so we are scrabbling around trying to upgrade the heating system in our sixth form block where temperatures regularly exceed workplace health and safety guidelines. Two governors with building skills have taken time off to meet with the business manager and contractors to pare down tenders – funnily enough there's no one on the school staff who is a qualified builder so, because we can't afford to pay for consultants, it's down to governor skills.Of the 58 governor-related emails I have had over the past seven days, many are concerned with money – mainly the school's lack of it. We've just failed to get any capital funding from the government for building this year so we are scrabbling around trying to upgrade the heating system in our sixth form block where temperatures regularly exceed workplace health and safety guidelines. Two governors with building skills have taken time off to meet with the business manager and contractors to pare down tenders – funnily enough there's no one on the school staff who is a qualified builder so, because we can't afford to pay for consultants, it's down to governor skills.
Meanwhile, we've reviewed our planning application to turn a temporary car park into a permanent one to separate cars from kids on our crowded site, and a neighbour's tree has knocked down our perimeter wall – we can't afford to replace it, he won't accept liability – so it's more emails to members of the premises committee (does anyone know a boundary disputes lawyer who might be prepared to act for us pro bono?).Meanwhile, we've reviewed our planning application to turn a temporary car park into a permanent one to separate cars from kids on our crowded site, and a neighbour's tree has knocked down our perimeter wall – we can't afford to replace it, he won't accept liability – so it's more emails to members of the premises committee (does anyone know a boundary disputes lawyer who might be prepared to act for us pro bono?).
Raising educational standards pervades everything governors do. A two-hour meeting of the learning and achievement committee on Monday evening was followed by a text from the head saying one of our looked-after students had gone missing and the police had been called. A restructure of the house system to boost pastoral care and attainment tracking needs governor review before being communicated to parents and carers, and the head wants governors' opinions on changes to setting in some subjects. Back to school on Tuesday for a private word with him about a tricky staffing situation. Raising educational standards pervades everything governors do. A two-hour meeting of the learning and achievement committee on Monday evening was followed by a text from the head with concerns about one of our looked-after students. A restructure of the house system to boost pastoral care and attainment tracking needs governor review before being communicated to parents and carers, and the head wants governors' opinions on changes to setting in some subjects. Back to school on Tuesday for a private word with him about a tricky staffing situation.
Gove also criticises governors for getting too close to their headteacher. We are fortunate to have appointed a brilliant young head in September – after a two-day process that had to be conducted almost entirely by governors. Part of our role is to encourage him in the changes he wants to make, and which were shared with us during the selection procedure. Too much challenge, and he could just decide to walk out of the door. This year he needs context, encouragement and support. All governors already face huge suspicion from teachers about their roles – would you let an unqualified volunteer strategically manage your business? In the case of the head, three of us also decide if he is doing his job properly and whether he deserves a pay rise – now there's pressure for you.Gove also criticises governors for getting too close to their headteacher. We are fortunate to have appointed a brilliant young head in September – after a two-day process that had to be conducted almost entirely by governors. Part of our role is to encourage him in the changes he wants to make, and which were shared with us during the selection procedure. Too much challenge, and he could just decide to walk out of the door. This year he needs context, encouragement and support. All governors already face huge suspicion from teachers about their roles – would you let an unqualified volunteer strategically manage your business? In the case of the head, three of us also decide if he is doing his job properly and whether he deserves a pay rise – now there's pressure for you.
So, far from messages about toughening up, what we really need from the education secretary is for him to create some sort of partnership with businesses and the banks so that hard-pressed governors could tap into a free pool of professional skills as and when they need them. Many people don't have time for school governance, but there are enough professionals out there who would be willing to give an hour or two of their expertise to support a local school – if only governors knew how and where to find them.So, far from messages about toughening up, what we really need from the education secretary is for him to create some sort of partnership with businesses and the banks so that hard-pressed governors could tap into a free pool of professional skills as and when they need them. Many people don't have time for school governance, but there are enough professionals out there who would be willing to give an hour or two of their expertise to support a local school – if only governors knew how and where to find them.
And yes, Mr Gove, there was some cake slicing this week – on Saturday night I served 140 portions of chocolate brownie, made by a parent, during a jazz-funk evening which raised £2,500 for school funds. A little thanks to school governors would be the icing on the cake.And yes, Mr Gove, there was some cake slicing this week – on Saturday night I served 140 portions of chocolate brownie, made by a parent, during a jazz-funk evening which raised £2,500 for school funds. A little thanks to school governors would be the icing on the cake.