Dear all Parents/Guardians of pupils of Kelvin Grove
We are looking for 2 Parent Governors who can play an active role on the Governing Board of Kelvin Grove, representing the views of all parents and working collaboratively with other Governors in the best interests of Kelvin Grove as a whole.
This is a real opportunity to help Kelvin Grove thrive. We are keen to ensure that the Governing Body reflects the diversity of families that are part of the Kelvin Grove community.
We will be holding an election for these positions during the week beginning Mon 26th Feb 2024.
If you are interested in becoming a Parent Governor, please read on to see how you can find out more. Dates and logistics are also outlined below.
Finding out about the role of a Parent Governor
We will be hosting an informal coffee morning and an evening session for anyone who is interested, to come along and chat to the Chair, Vice Chair, and other Parent Governors to find out what the role entails. Please come along to either:
–Evening session: Tuesday 6th Feb 6.30pm. Please enter via the Paxton Gate on Kirkdale (the main road)
–Coffee Morning: Friday 9th Feb 9am. Please come to the office and you will be directed accordingly
If you can’t make the sessions but would like to find out more, you can email Janine Green, Chair of Governors governors@kelvingrove.lewisham.sch.uk or please feel free to speak to Janine or Bryan Strom (Vice Chair) in and around school.
More information about the role of a Parent Governor can be viewed on our school website via the following link: https://kelvingrove.lewisham.sch.uk/about-us/governors/.
The process
There are set dates for each stage of the election process, please see the timetable at the end of this letter.
If you wish to nominate yourself or someone else, please go to the Kelvin Grove website to complete the online nomination form: PARENT GOVERNOR NOMINATION FORM
All nominees will be asked to write a short piece or submit a video, saying a bit about themselves and what they could bring to the role. All statements will then be shared with the parent body.
All parents will then have the opportunity to vote for their 2 preferred candidates. The 2 candidates with the most votes will be elected to the Board (official checks pending)
The role of Governors
The Governing Body has the ultimate responsibility for overseeing the education and care of our pupils. We work with the Headteacher and wider staff team to ensure the school is well-managed and continues to develop. The Governing Body is comprised of parents, representatives appointed by Lewisham Council, staff and members of the community – fifteen people in total. All Governors serve a four year term of office.
Commitments of a Parent Governor
-Contributing to the Governing Body meetings – there are usually 4 meetings per year, which take place in the evening from 18.00-20.00. These involve looking at different elements of the learning we provide and the way in which the school is operating, including examining the performance of the school, how we are meeting our legal responsibilities and our strategy for the coming years.
-Contributing to a committee – either Resources, Achievement or Pupils, Parents & Community. These committees meet 1-2 times a term in the evening from 18.00-20.00.
-Visiting the school to observe school life. Governors are not expected to judge the quality of teaching but rather to get a sense of how the school is working as a whole, or a particular aspect of school life.
-Engaging with other parents to ensure that views are represented.
-Occasionally working with the leadership team on a specific element of managing the school, such as being involved in the recruitment of staff or looking at how we take forward a specific development.
Eligibility to stand
All parents and guardians of children at the school are eligible to stand as candidates in the election EXCEPT
-If s/he is an elected member of the local education authority; (local councillor)
-If s/he is paid to work at the school for more than 500 hours in any twelve month period beginning on 1 August and finishing on 31 July. (an academic year).
Eligibility to vote
Each parent will have one vote for every Parent Governor vacancy. Some people who are not parents but who act as parents and take care of a child at the school may also be able to take part. If you, or someone else living with you, look after a child in this way, please contact me to check if you will be able to take part in the election.
Timetable for election of Parent Governors
| Submitted by Weds 21st Feb | If you decide to stand as a candidate you complete the online nomination form by the end of the school day on this date. You can nominate yourself to stand. If you want to nominate another parent, please check with them first that they are willing to stand and ask them to sign the nomination form in the space provided. The nomination form is also available on our school website. |
| Submitted by Weds 21st Feb | Statements to be submitted by candidates – if you need help with your statement, please contact Janine Green (Chair) or Bryan Strom (Vice Chair). |
| Fri 23rd Feb | Notification sent to parents and carers with names of candidates, where to find out more about each candidate and voting procedures. |
| Mon 26th Feb – 1st Mar (12 noon) | Voting will take place from 26th Feb – 1st March. An electronic ballot paper will be sent to you by text and email, a separate text and email will be sent containing a password. |
| Mon 4th Mar | RESULT NOTIFICATION – sent by text and email |
Please note that all new governors are required by law to undergo a check on their suitability to serve. This will be through:
-A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and a check against the barred list, the DfE list of people whose employment has been barred or restricted either on grounds of misconduct or for medical reasons.
-A Section 128 check which prohibits or restricts a person from taking part in the management of a school by looking at the parts of someone’s history that may not necessarily be criminal, but would still be worrying.
Parent governors are very important to the life of the school and I hope very much that you will vote and also consider being a candidate.
Yours sincerely
Janine Green
Chair of Governors