Dear Parents and Carers,

The governing body of Mosslands School currently have vacancies for two parent governors. We are seeking to appoint two representatives of the parent and carer group who can contribute to the work of the governors and help us to continue to support the school to achieve the best for every pupil.

Being a governor is an important role in the life of Mosslands as we have a strategic responsibility for setting the direction of the school, overseeing the budget and ensuring that all of the pupils receive the best possible education in line with our mission to provide all of our pupils with the opportunities and the ambition to lead successful lives as well-rounded citizens.

Being a governor involves getting involved in some of the most important decisions in the school and helping to support improvement so that all staff are well placed to help every pupil to achieve the best that they can.

It is really important that the members of the governing body continue to represent the families and community that we serve and want any parent who has time to offer and a passion for education to feel able to join us in this key role.

We have recently refreshed out approach to governance and we are looking for enthusiastic and committed individuals who can help us to continue to improve the way that we support the school. As part of our new approach we will be providing a more focused training and induction programme to all governors so that they are able to support the school effectively.

We are looking for parents and carers who have a range of knowledge and skills to join us, this could include understanding of financial issues, supporting young people with additional needs or understanding how schools deliver high quality education. We meet twice each term in the evenings, and we expect every governor to be able to spend some time in school during the term, although this can be negotiated to suit your other commitments. What is most important is that you have the commitment and passion to help the school do the best that it can for all of the students.

If you are interested in becoming a parent or carer governor but feel a little daunted by the responsibility you may be taking on, please be remember that we are a team who support each other and who are all volunteers, so you will be joining a group of people with similar experiences to yourself, who all have a commitment to Mosslands School.

If you become a governor you will be taking on the following commitments to help make sure the school is well managed:

·         Share in the responsibilities of the Governing Body and our support for the school.

·         Agree to participate in our meetings on a regular basis, currently a total of seven meetings in a school year, which will last around three hours.

·         Take on a link role with one of the academic areas of school so that you can find out more about what goes on in that area and help the governing body get a fuller picture of school life.

·         Occasionally undertake other duties, such as interviewing for staff or sitting on governor panels

·         Most importantly representing the views of parents and carers form the school to ensure that everything that we do as a governing board reflects what is important to you.

If you are successful you will be need to sign the Governing Body’s code of practice, and to apply for a DBS enhanced disclosure.

What do you need to do next?

If you want to join us you need to complete a nomination form to become a parent governor, along with a couple of other things:

1.    Check that you are eligible by reading the enclosed qualifications and disqualifications criteria.  Sign the declaration of eligibility form and return this with your completed nomination form.

2.    Complete the nomination form (once you are satisfied that you are eligible to become a governor).

3.    Include a statement, up to 80 words, about yourself, the skills and commitment you can bring to the governing body and why you would like to become a governor.  You do not have to complete this section, but if you don’t you may put yourself at a disadvantage if there is an election.  All words over 80 will be deleted and not used in the election process.

Each nomination must be received at the school by 10.00 am on 14^th February.  It should be sealed in an envelope marked ‘Nomination for Parent Governor’ and may be delivered by hand, sent with your child, or by post to the school.  Electronic nominations must be returned to schooloffice@mosslands.wirral.sch.uk. 

If you would like to receive a paper copy of these documents, please contact the school on 0151 638 8131 and ask for Debbie Green.

Your nomination will be acknowledged 5 working days of the start of the next half term.  If you do not receive this acknowledgement, please contact the school.

It is important to note that In accordance with the School Governance (Constitution) (England) Regulations 2012, an elected member of the Local Authority (LA) or school staff who are paid to work at the school for more than 500 hours in any consecutive twelve month period are not eligible for election or appointment as parent governors.  However, they can vote in parent governor elections if they are parents of children attending the school and can be governors at another school.

You also need to know that an election will be held if more nominations are received than the number of vacancies.  For the purpose of the election, ballot papers will be sent to all parents or carers with children at the school, together with any details that you and other nominees have provided.  This procedure will be explained in more detail should it be necessary.

If you would like to know more about the role of a parent governor or the appointment process you are welcome to contact Jane Owens, Chair of Governors (clerk@mosslands.wirral.sch.uk) or the head teacher (schooloffice@mosslands.wirral.sch.uk)

Thanks you for taking the time to consider this opportunity.

Mr A.Whiteley

Headteacher