Induction Policy for New School Governors

Model Induction Policy for New School Governors


The Governing Body and Headteacher 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.

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

New governors will:

• Be welcomed to the Governing Body by the Chair
• Be invited by the Headteacher to visit the school
• Have the opportunity to tour the school and meet staff and children
• Receive an informal briefing on the school from the Headteacher and/or Chair
• Be asked to complete a 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

New governors will receive:

• The DfE “Guide to the Law for Governors”
• The school’s “Induction Pack/Welcome Pack for School Governors”
• The School Development Plan
• The Local Authority Governor Services’ Welcome Pack and governor training programme
• 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
• Details of how to contact the other governors
• Details of how to contact the school including the e-mail address
• Recent school newsletters

New governors are also recommended to read:

• The latest Ofsted report
• The school prospectus
• Policy documents relevant to committee membership
• School Website
• The Governor Monitoring Visits Policy
• Governors Expenses Policy


Areas that the Chair of Governors/mentor will cover include:

• Background to the school
• Current issues facing the school
• Visiting the school
• The relationship between the Headteacher and Governing Body
• An overview of the governor’s role (including a mention of confidentiality and acronyms!)
• How the full Governing Body and committee meetings are conducted
• How to propose agenda items
• Governor training


New governor checklist

Induction procedure

Welcomed to the Governing Body by the Chair

Invited by the Headteacher/Chair of Governors to visit the school

Toured the school and met staff and children

Completed identification process for CRB check or declaration

Received an informal briefing on the school from the Head or Chair

Assigned/met informally with an existing governor (who will act as mentor)

Have you received?

DfE “Guide to the Law for Governors”

Induction Pack/Welcome Pack for School Governors” (including school map)

The School Development Plan

The Local Authority Governor Services’ Welcome Pack and governor training programme

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 committees

Details of how to contact the other governors

Details of how to contact the school (including the e-mail addresses)

Recent School newsletters

Latest Ofsted report

Web address of School Website

Governor Monitoring Visits Policy

Governor Expenses Policy

Financial Regulations and Scheme of Delegation (Resources Committee)

Has Chair of Governors or Headteacher covered?

Background to the school

Current issues facing the school

Visiting the school

Overview of the governor’s role

Relationship between the Headteacher and Governing Body

Completion of Business Interests Form

Have you had the opportunity to review your first GB meeting with the mentor?