Governor Visits Policy

Date Policy Adopted: Jan 19

Date of Next Review / Signed
Head teacher/SLT / Jan 19
Governors

Governors visits to school Policy

Introduction:

The Governors of Broseley Primary School take their governance role as critical friends who monitor and evaluate provision, progress and school improvement very seriously.

Governors use a variety of strategies to keep themselves informed. These include the termly head teachers report, subcommittee meetings, data analysis, presentations, reports and full governing body meetings.

An important source of information and an excellent way for governors to experience the school is through a school visit.

Governors accept that it is not their role to manage the school, but that school visits give them an important insight into the school which assists them in the way they support and challenge the school in their role as governors and critical friends.

It is not always possible for every governor to find time during the working day to arrange visits to school. However, the importance of visits by a representative number of governors cannot be understated.

Governors accept these visits should be planned in a way that enhances the governing body's knowledge and understanding of a particular aspect of the school's work.

Governors have agreed a protocol for visits in order to make visits informative, productive and minimize unnecessary workload for staff.

Governor visits should:

  • Have a clear purpose.
  • Be formally arranged and agreed with all parties before the visit takes place.
  • Be an opportunity to recognise and celebrate everything the school does well.
  • Give the visitor the opportunity to ask more questions.
  • Give the visitor the means of reporting certain aspects of the visit back to the full governing body.
  • Help contribute towards building positive relationships between staff and governors.

Governor visits are not:

  • To inspect the school.
  • To make judgments about the quality of teaching.
  • Unplanned and unannounced.
  • Unfocused.

Governors have agreed the following structure:

  • Governor of the Month – Following each visit governors complete a report form.
  • Governor of the month will report back to governors either by verbal or written report to either sub committees or the full governing body.

Clarify the purpose of the visit

Visits will be:

  • An introduction to the school for a new governor.
  • Linked to the School Development Plan.
  • Linked to a particular governor’s role or responsibility.

Planning the visit:

Together with the head teacher or member of the Senior Leadership Team an agreed agenda will be prepared in advance:

The visit may include:

  • A tour of the school or curriculum area.
  • Lessons.
  • Discussions with staff.
  • Discussions with pupils.
  • Attendance at staff meetings

If possible governors will endeavour to meet a teacher or other staff prior to the visit to explore ways the visit can be most informative and effective.

The focus of the meeting will be agreed in advance and clearly understood by the visiting governor and the staff involved in the visit.

During the visit

Governors will:

  • Keep to the agreed timetable and arrive in plenty of time.
  • Be relaxed and interested.
  • Take notes if previously agreed.
  • Get involved if this has been agreed in advance.
  • Not distract teachers from their work.
  • Will treat the visit as a fact finding exercise rather than an inspection.
  • Talk to pupils and staff when appropriate, showing enthusiasm and interest.
  • Give praise where it is due!

After the visit

Governors will:

  • If there is the opportunity, discuss with teachers what has been observed.
  • Use this opportunity to clarify anything.
  • Make notes about the visit while they are still fresh in your mind.

Reporting back

Governors will:

  • Prepare a written report to governors, which identifies the role of the visit in school improvement.
  • If a written report is to be circulated, give a draft copy to the head teacherfirst. This will avoid any mistakes or misunderstandings arising later.
  • Keep a copy for your own personal file and give a copy to the Chair to place in the School Visits File.
  • Come to the next meeting prepared to give a brief verbal introduction to the report.
  • Reflect on the experience; ask “What can I do to make my next visit even more effective?"