Dear parents
I am writing to seek nominations from parents willing to serve on the school governing body. There are two vacancies to be filled.
A 'Parent' for the purpose of the election is a person with ‘parental responsibility’, as defined in the Children Act 1989, and includes married parents, mothers of non-marital children and divorced or separated parents. It may also include unmarried fathers who may acquire parental responsibility by agreement with the mother or by means of a court order. Guardians, non-parents in respect of whom a residence order is made and local authorities in respect of whom a care order is made may also acquire parental responsibility. A parent governor must have a child in the school at the beginning of the school year 2025/2026.
There are circumstances which disqualify parents from standing for election to the Governing Body, but not from proposing or voting for candidates. In brief these are where a person has been adjudged bankrupt or has been convicted of a criminal offence during the last 5 years for which a prison sentence (suspended or not) for a period of not less than three months, without the option of a fine, was imposed.
In "Maintained School Governance: Structures and Role Descriptors October 2020", the Department for Education defines the role of parent governor as follows:
Role: The role of a parent governor is not as a spokesperson for the views of parents. They are the same as any other governor on the board, providing a ‘parental viewpoint’ i.e. representative parents rather than representatives of parents.
For the purpose of proposing candidates a nomination form can be accessed by clicking here. Completed nomination slips should be submitted by those parents wishing to make nominations by Tuesday 4th November 2025. Those parents nominated and seconded and who have indicated their willingness to stand for election by signing the nomination slip may submit brief biographical details (maximum of between 70 and 100 words) for circulation with ballot papers.
On the closing date for nominations, if the number of candidates is the same as, or fewer than, the number of vacancies, then all candidates will be duly elected unopposed. If, however, there are more candidates than vacancies an election by secret ballot will be held.
I look forward to receiving your nominations.
Kind regards,
Miss S O'Brien, Headteacher