Since the declaration of the pandemic a lot has been written about the changes in the education sector and the roles of teachers and pupils due to Covid-19.
But these changes in responsibility and practice have been felt throughout the sector, including by school governors. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland school governors are responsible for holding headteachers to account, as well as overseeing the school’s finances.
We spoke to governors at two schools in Wiltshire to find out just how the pandemic has changed their jobs and how they have adapted.
Rebecca Lockwood Norris, co-chair of the governors at Holbrook Primary School in Trowbridge said her role has evolved since the beginning of the pandemic last year and more time is being spent on issues surrounding the running of the schools, especially for vulnerable pupils.
Rebecca Lockwood Norris, co-chair of the governors at Holbrook Primary School in Trowbridge
She said: “More time than before is spent understanding operational issues, to foresee and address matters that will negatively impact vulnerable learners, as well as the wellbeing of staff and pupils and also the school budget, resulting from the pandemic.”
In May 2020 she moved from being a parent governor to co-chairman which brought with it increased responsibility.
“I think that the pandemic has resulted in more time and flexibility being needed for the role of school governor, particularly for chairs of governors, due to the need to be available at short notice to attend meetings and make quick decisions with the headteacher, in response to changes to government guidance and directions, which can happen unexpectedly, and with very short notice to action.
Ms Lockwood Norris said she now tries to keep ahead of announcements that will impact school.
“Therefore, as well as regularly checking the DfE updates webpage and reading the regular Wiltshire Council Covid-19 schools updates, I keep an eye on education news and media articles, this also helps me to gain a wider understanding of how the education sector is responding to the pandemic,” she added.
Julie Braham, chair of governors at Kingsbury Green Academy, a member of the Royal Wootton Bassett Trust, said the role to “provide challenge and oversight” has not changed.
Julie Braham chair of governors at Kingsbury Green Academy
“Covid has meant that the context has changed. With new ways of working schools have had to introduce new policies to reflect that, and governors are responsible for overseeing how those policies are playing out.
“Of course, during lockdown the opportunity for site visits has been limited, but last term I was able to go round the school while socially distancing and carry out a review of attendance and behaviour policies in action. I could see students and staff wearing face masks and remaining within their bubbles.”
Kingsbury Green Academy
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