What is a link governor
Although not a statutory
requirement, many governing bodies have link governors for specific
subjects like ICT, Numeracy, Literacy,
RE
,
SEN
and Child Protection.
It is a matter for each governing
body and headteacher to plan its own guidelines on the role that it
expects the 'specific subject' link governor to undertake. A good
working relationship between the subject specialist within the
school and the subject link governor will enhance the success of
this initiative.
As a model, the subject link
governor, in support of the subject co-ordinator or head of
subject, could undertake some or all of the following:
- Become informed about relevant documents and legislation;
OfSTED criteria for evaluating the subject provision; local and
national issues impacting upon the subject.
- Liaise with the subject co-ordinator or head of subject in
order to become informed about staffing arrangements and training;
the condition and availability of resources; curriculum and
timetable arrangements; special needs provision; reference to the
school development plan; assessment and recording procedures for
the subject; which visits and visitors are planned.
- Establish and maintain effective lines of communication between
the subject co-ordinator and the governing body; report back to
governing body meetings.
The role of the
SEN
Link Governor
Being a Special Educational Needs
governor is about doing your best to make sure pupils with SEN get
the help they need to access the curriculum and to participate
fully in the life of the school. As an SEN governor, you are the
link between the governing body and the school in relation to
pupils with SEN. It's your role to help raise awareness of SEN
issues at governing body meetings and give up-to-date information
on SEN provision within the school. You also help review the
school's policy on provision for pupils with SEN and ensure that
parents have confidence in this provision.
There is certain basic
information that every SEN governor should know:
- How the school identifies children
with SEN - make sure you understand how the school identifies a
pupil with SEN and what happens once a pupil has been
identified;
- How SEN money from LEAs is allocated
and spent;
- The school's SEN policy - you should
know your school's policy on SEN and make sure it's reviewed
regularly. Regular reviews are vital to ensure that the SEN
provision reflects the changing needs of the school, its
circumstances, and the law; and
- Develop good relationships in the
school - developing good relationships with the key people involved
in the school is essential. It's particularly important to get to
know the head and the SEN Co-ordinator (SENCO).
The Role of the Literacy/Numeracy Link Governor
The full Governing Body retains the
responsibility for raising standards of Literacy and Numeracy. As
with special educational needs, a nominated governor who takes a
special interest in either of the National Strategies can help to
ensure that Literacy and Numeracy issues remain high on the
school’s agenda.
The Literacy/Numeracy governor will
need to provide a link between the Governing Body, its committees
and the staff of the school, reporting to the governing body and/or
it’s committees as agreed.
This might involve:
- Liaising with the Headteacher regarding Literacy/Numeracy
issues. (Including policies for teaching and learning, resources
allocated from the budget, setting of homework and progress towards
targets).
- Ensuring that all governors are familiar with the NLS (National
Literacy Strategy) and the NNS (National Numeracy Strategy).
- With the Headteacher / Co-ordinator, reporting to the Governing
Body on how the strategies are progressing in school.
- Attending some parts of whole school training sessions as
appropriate.
- Meeting with the Literacy/Numeracy Co-ordinator once a term to
discuss how the implementation of the school’s Literacy / Numeracy
Action Plan is progressing.
- Visiting school to observe a selection of Literacy / Numeracy
lessons.
- Supporting and promoting the involvement of parents in the
strategies.
Useful hints for Link Governors
- You should always remember that you are not acting as a
teacher, nor an inspector, but as source of support and a critical
friend to the school. If you are going to visit a lesson, don’t
forget the possible apprehension some teachers feel if someone
watches their lesson.
- You will need to agree your visit to school with the
headteacher.