Glossary of Abbreviations

    A handy list for governors of abbreviations you may come across in your role.  Governors Glossary

    Frequently Asked Questions / Questions to Ask
    The following are a sample of the questions that have recently been asked of Governance Consultancy.

    Q. Do we follow the same procedure for electing Vice Chairs as Chairs?
    A    . Yes. The Guide to The Law (Chapter 3, paragraph 44) sets out the procedures for electing these posts.

    Q. Can a Headteacher vote on the election of the Chair?
    A. Yes, the only people who can’t are the Clerk and the nominees for Chairman.

    Q. If the Chair and Vice Chair are not present at a meeting what do we do?
    A. Elect a temporary chairman for the duration of the meeting.

    Q. What needs to be printed on the envelopes for the Parent Governor elections?
    A. Name of school Name of pupil Class
    Name of parent Parent’s signature

    - The outer (pre-printed) envelopes should be checked to ensure that each voter is eligible and the inner envelopes should be removed and collected together unopened to ensure the secrecy of the ballot.

    - The inner envelopes containing the ballot papers should be opened quite separately at the count (and only at the count).

    - The Returning Officer must allow the candidates, or their nominated representatives, the opportunity to be present at the count and may also appoint tellers to assist with this task.

    Pre-printed envelopes can no longer be bought through the GLS stationery catalogue. We do have a supply of rubber stamps, which can be purchased by calling the team on 0800 073 4444 ext 835030, for use on plain envelopes (useful for small schools who do not need a large stock of pre-printed envelopes).

    Q. Can a community governor work at the school?
    A. No. The Guide to the Law (Chapter 2 para 14) outlines those who are unable to be community governors.

    Q. Does there have to be a parental concerns committee?
    A.     No, there are no statutory committees. It is recommended, however, that a governing body establish two panels of governors to be called upon should there be a need for a committee/appeal. Generally, if a complaint is against the action of a headteacher, or if the headteacher has been unable to resolve the issues to the satisfaction of the complainant, the complainant is advised to write to the Chairman of Governors requesting him/her to investigate the case as part as a informal procedure.

    The Chairman of Governors may choose to refer the complaint to a nominated governor who has responsibility for investigating parental concerns. This is to enable the Chairman of Governors to remain impartial in case he/she is needed later as part of a formal Complaints Panel. If, after this informal investigation, the complainant remains dissatisfied, he/she should be advised to make the complaint formal by notifying the Chairman of Governors in writing. The clerk to the Governing Body should acknowledge receipt of the written request from the parent, and having ascertained that it is a formal complaint, arrange to convene a Governors' Complaints Panel appointed from members of the Governing Body. The Panel members should be governors who have had no prior involvement with the complaint.

    For more information see the Surrey County Council Guidance Pack for Schools - Responding to Parental Concerns (updated edition issued July 2004) available on the Surrey County Council website.

    Q. Does Governance Consultancy hold a list to match policies to committees?
    A. No, because governing bodies have different committee structures. However, the Guide to the Law Annexe 2 states which policies are statutory and which are recommended, and Chapter 3 para 76 - Committees, outlines what policies/functions the full governing body must approve and what can be delegated to a committee.

    Q. The Clerk is clerking a pupils exclusion hearing and feels anxious and ill equipped to undertake this task. Can Governance Consultancy help?
    A. All schools have a copy of the Surrey County Council Exclusion Guidance for Surrey Schools and DfE Circulars 10/99 and 11/99 are particularly useful as reference. It is also possible to speak to Legal Services at County Hall – schools can buyback their service for advice on disciplinary and exclusions appeals. Governance Consultancy provides a training course for Clerks in partnership with Legal Services.