survey shows parents are increasingly concerned that they cannot talk to governors. One describes an unspecified governor as “patronising and unapproachable”. Moi?

We try to make ourselves available at parents’ evenings and as participants at workshops and information evenings. Many of us help regularly in school or are to be found daily at the school gate. But do we give parents enough information about what we do?

Minutes of meetings are public documents, of course, but do parents know this? Should we display them on noticeboards or circulate a summary ? What do other governing bodies do?

One parent asks for parentgovernor meetings twice a year and for quarterly reports. They also ask that parents be sent details of upcoming important decisions, outlining actions governors propose to take. Such a circular should include a form allowing parents to give their views.

Governance by referendum? But would they vote?