Governors Induction and Support

The Governing Body and Head teacher of Southfields Primary School believe it is essential that all new governors receive a comprehensive induction package covering a broad range of issues and topics. There is a commitment to ensure that the new governors are given the necessary information and support to fulfil their role with confidence. The process is seen as an investment, leading to more effective governance and retention of governors.

1.Purpose

To welcome new governors to the Governing Body and enable them to meet other members
To encourage new governors to visit the school to experience its atmosphere and understand its ethos
To meet the Headteacher, staff and children
To explain the partnership between the Headteacher, school and Governing Body
To explain the role and responsibilities of governors
To give background material on the school and current issues
To allow new governors to ask questions about their role and/or the school
To explain how the Governing Body and its committees work
To allow new governors to join the committee(s) of their choice after observing
Understand the importance of confidentiality and consequences of a break in
Confidentiality
Identify training needs for each individual governor

2.New Governors will:

Receive an informal briefing on the school from the Head teacher and/or Chair of Governors
Be welcomed to the Governing Body by the Chair at the first full governing body meeting after they take up post
Be invited by the Head teacher to visit the school to experience its atmosphere and understand the ethos
Be given background material on the school and current issues
Have the opportunity to tour the school and meet staff and children
Be asked to complete a DBS (formerly CRB) check and declaration
Have the opportunity to meet informally with an existing governor who will then act as their mentor
Be accompanied by their mentor to their first full Governing Body meeting (if required)
Have the opportunity to review their first meeting with the mentor
Be encouraged to access training, including induction training for governors provided by the Local Authority Governor Services Team.

3.New Governors will be given access to the following documents:

The DfE “Guide to the Law for Governors”
The School Improvement and Development Plan
The School Prospectus / documentation /policies/ website information
Latest Ofsted Report and Action Plan
Minutes of the last full Governing Body meeting and details of the Governing Body committees including their terms of reference
Dates for future governors’ meetings including committee meetings
The Local Authority Governor Services’ Welcome Pack and governor training programme
List of staff, responsibility areas and job titles
List of governor’s names and responsibility areas
Details of how to contact the other governors
Details of how to contact the school including the e-mail address
Recent School Newsletters
Agenda for the next Full Governing Board meeting and copy of the minutes of the last Governing Board meetings (not confidential minutes)
DBS (formerly CRB) form for completion
The Governing Board Standing Orders and Codes of practice

4.The Headteacher will cover the following in her briefing to new governors:

Background to the school
Current issues facing the school
Visiting the school
The relationship between the Head teacher and Governing Body

5.Areas that the Chair of Governors/Mentor will cover include:

An overview of the governor’s role
How the full Governing Body and committee meetings are conducted
How to propose agenda items
Governor training
Governor Skills Audit

Governor Induction

The induction process will be coordinated by the Chair of Governors, along with named persons (e.g. Headteacher, Deputy Headteacher, Clerk). Everyone involved must follow the agreed programme in order to avoid duplication of tasks and to ensure a comprehensive and supportive induction.

Task	Person Responsible	When
First contact: welcome new governor and give an outline of the role and responsibilities of the governing body, expected level of commitment to school and current issues facing the school	Chair/HT	Upon recruitment
When governorship is confirmed issue appointment letter, complete eligibility form, verification of identity form and register of business interests form	Clerk	Upon appointment
At first Full Governing Board meeting introduce all Governors and explain context of each major agenda item.	Chair	1st FGB
Arrange a visit to school to talk to Headteacher, tour the school and meet the staff, children and school council.	HT	After 1st FGB
Add new governor’s name to governor and school e-mail lists and school web site	PA to HT	Upon recruitment
Complete Skills Audit, give advice and support/training available and arrange a place on Governors Induction Course	Clerk	After 1st FGB
After first FGB meeting mentor to follow up contact to provide further opportunity for questions/clarification of issues. Talk to new governor about roles within the governing body, committee structure, scope of works and agreed communications protocol. Discuss new governors interests and skills to match governor to relevant committee or area of interest and arrange committee observer visit if appropriate.	Chair /HT	After 1st FGB
Provide new governor with Induction Pack including the items mentioned in paragraph 3 above	Available on Governor drive	After 1st FGB
Arrange feedback from new governor so that induction procedure can be updated and refined	Chair	End of 1st year

The Governor Mentor is available to help and support the new governor before and after their first meeting as appropriate. He/she should have experience as a governor, a good understanding of educational terminology and acronyms and good interpersonal skills.

New Governor Checklist Induction Procedure – please date each box

Have you?
Been welcomed to the governing body by the Chair of Governors
Been invited by the Headteacher/ Chair of Governors to visit the school.
Toured the school and met staff and children.
Completed identification process for DBS check or declaration.
Received informal briefing on the school from the Head or Chair.
Been assigned/met formally with an existing governor who will act as mentor.
Have you received or been given access to:
The schools aims statement
List of governors and their responsibilities
List of school staff, their responsibilities and job titles
Details of the Governing Board Committees and their terms of reference.
Minutes of the most recent FGB meeting and Headteacher’s report
All relevant policy documents, statutory and advisory.
DfES Guide to the ‘Law for Governors’
Latest Ofsted Report
School development and improvement plan.
Calendar of events, dates of meetings and school term and half term dates.
Contact details for key personnel, school e-mail and web site address.
Governor’s Code of Conduct
School Prospectus./website/newsletters
Have the Head or Chair covered?
Background to the school
Current issues facing the school
Visiting the school
Overview of the governor’s role
Relationship between the Headteacher and the Governing Board
Completion of business interests form
Have you had the opportunity to review your first FGB meeting with your mentor?

Name	Signed	Date