Induction

Inducting new school governors

We are all aware that joining any new organisation has its challenges, and joining a Governing Body (GB) is no different.

It is important that all new governors:

• engage with the school in a strategic way as governors;
  
  
• quickly learn about the school, its plans and what it stands for (but are not swamped with 'helpful' information);
  
  
• are made to feel welcome and valued;
  
  
• are given a way, meaningful to them personally, to feel that they are making a valuable contribution.
  

It is good practice to have an induction policy / process for your GB. This could be owned and championed by the Link Governor, who actively manages the process for each new governor.

A good induction process tends to include the following elements:

• Before attending the first meeting:
  
  
  
  • notification of the appointment to the Governing Body Support Officer so that the new governor can receive LA information;
    
    
  • appointment of a mentor / buddy as a ready point of contact;
    
    
  • a visit to school to meet the headteacher and look around;
    
    
  • a call / visit from the Chair to welcome the new governor, advise of mentor contact details and to acquaint him / her briefly of current issues and work in hand;
    
    
  • provision of some essential documents to be built upon over the first few months;

• At the first meeting:
  
  
  • arrange for someone to see the new governor a little earlier to run through the agenda and documentation;
    
    
  • warm welcome and introductions, especially the mentor;
    
    
  • sit new governor next to the mentor so that background and context of agenda items can be explained;

• Before the second meeting:
  
  
  • make time soon after the first meeting for review and to answer questions, and perhaps complete the experience and skills audit;
    
    
  • arrange for visits to committees and assign to one of them, if relevant;
    
    
  • consider an individual role and perhaps 'buddy' with an experienced governor for a period.