School Governors (Hansard, 30 July 1982)

§ Mr. Christopher Price
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science to what extent training of school governors has been enhanced since 1979, and in particular since the Education Act 1980.

§ Dr. Boyson
The training of governors is a matter for local education authorities and voluntary school bodies, and the Department does not collect information on the provision made. With the coming into force of the school government provisions of the 1980 Act, the indications are of an increase in the efforts to ensure that governors are well versed in their responsibilities. As a contribution towards this, the Department has sponsored an Open University course on "Governing Schools" which is being well and widely used.

§ Mr. Christoper Price
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what evidence is available to his Department about the increase in the number of school governors in schools in England since the passing of the Education Act 1980;
(2) how many teacher governors there were on (a) primary and (b) special school governing bodies in each local education authority in 1981–82;
(3) how many parent governors there were on secondary school governing bodies in each local education authority in England in 1981–82;
(4) what steps he has taken to assess the effects on school government of the provisions of the Education Act 1980 relating to school governors.

§ Dr. Boyson
The school government provisions of the Education Act 1980 give effect to the Government's policy for extending the base of school government—particularly by the inclusion of parents and teachers—so that, generally, each school may benefit from having its own effective and committed governing body. That part of the Act was brought into force in July 1981 for phased implementation. Only new schools are currently required to have the new style arrangements, but others have been encouraged to adopt them on a voluntary basis and encouraging progress is being made. My right hon. Friend will soon consider making further orders requiring other categories of school to have the new arrangements.
The constitution of governing bodies is prescibed in individual instruments of government. Most of these are made by local education authorities and the Department does not collect information about their provisions.