KG Parent Governor Election 2026

Kirsty Gibbs

4 months ago

Friday 9^th January 2026

Dear all Parents/Carers of pupils of Kelvin Grove,

RE: Parent Governor Election 2026

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 Monday 2^nd February 2026.

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 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 the Coffee Morning: Friday 16^th January 9:00am. 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 parents of the school.

If there are more than 2 candidates, parents will then have the opportunity to cast a 1st and 2nd choice vote. The candidate 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.

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/.

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 6.00pm -8.00pm. 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 6.00pm – 8.00pm.
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 – Please note we have extended the deadline for candidates to submit their statements and make nominations to Friday 30^th January.

Submitted by Friday 30^th January	If you decide to stand as a candidate, you should 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 Friday 30^th January	Statements to be submitted by candidates – if you need help with your statement, please contact Janine Green (Chair) or Bryan Strom (Vice Chair).
Monday 2^nd February	Notification sent to parents and carers with names of candidates, where to find out more about each candidate and voting procedures.
Monday 2^nd February – Friday 6^th February (2pm)	Voting will take place, an electronic ballot paper will be sent to you by text and email, a separate text and email will be sent containing a password.
Monday 9^th February	RESULT NOTIFICATION – sent by text and email to all parents

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.

If you would like to find out more, you can speak to Janine Green, Chair of Governors in and around the school or email on governors@kelvingrove.lewisham.sch.uk.

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