§ Sir Irvine PatnickTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what progress has been made in encouraging parents to become school governors, and if she will make a statement. [40573]
§ Mr. Robin SquireThe governing bodies of all maintained schools must include parents governors, elected by the parents of pupils at the school, as one means of giving parents power to influence the nature and quality of the education their children receive. It is increasingly recognised that governors, including parent governors, play a key part in deciding the conduct and development of their school. The available evidence suggests that most schools are able to find sufficient parent and other governors to serve. The Government are grateful for the time, effort and commitment which governors devote, and we will continue to encourage parents and other members of the local community to undertake this demanding but rewarding task.