A NEW government-backed support network for parent-governors faces opposition from both parent and governor organisations, who claim it will prove unrepresentative and divisive.
The Department for Education and Employment wants to set up the network for the estimated 400 parent-governor representatives due to take up places on English education authorities by the end of this month.
Officials are also seeking parent-governor nominees to fill two places for parents on the General Teaching Council.
The National Confedration for Parent-Teacher Associations says parent-governors have quite different interests from “ordinary” parents.
David Butler, the confederation’s director, said: “We would rather government had the view of parents as consumers of education.”
Governors, 28-29
“Little Polities - Schooling, Governance and Parental Participation”, Jane Martin and Professor Stewart Ranson, Birmingham University, and Dr Carol Vincent, Institute of Education. For education information for parents visit www.learnfree.co.uk
