Last year our local education authority generously subsidised a conference for governors. They provided a nationally-respected keynote speaker and a variety of interesting workshops. The event was held at a very comfortable conference venue and included a two course lunch. It was well-attended and enjoyed by all participants. One or two of us had reservations about the cost to the education budget; but as a morale booster it was probably well worth it.
This year, our local governors’ association planned a conference on similar lines, building on last year’s success. We secured an excellent main speaker and booked workshop leaders. Of course we could not afford the sort of facilities the local authority provided, but never mind, we have schools ideally suited to hosting such an event, don’t we?
With two weeks to go, we cancelled the conference due to lack of response. Apparently school lunches on hard chairs and workshops in classrooms just did not have the same appeal. Come to think of it, colleagues reporting back on last spring’s National Governors’ Council’s conference had more to say about the pudding shortage than any other issue.
For hard-working, over-stretched governors to give up their Saturdays, they clearly expect to be spoilt a little. Who can blame them?
Joan Dalton
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