What are Junior Governors?

Our Junior Governors are a group of pupils who are appointed to represent the views of all children in our school and to ensure that all pupils’ voices are heard. They work hard together with their peers and alongside adults to try and make the school an even better place and to ensure that it is the best it can possibly be.

How do they know our children’s views?

Junior Governors are each allocated a link class. They meet with the children in their link class regularly and gather their views on specific areas through questionnaires, surveys and general discussions. They also carry out an annual survey of children’s views. 

What else do Junior Governors do?

Junior Governors are involved in a wide variety of school improvement activities. Examples include reviewing teaching and learning, looking at how to improve our playtime provision and thinking about how to make our school a place where everyone feels happy and included.  An important part of their work is to explore how we make every child in our school feel safe and have a strong sense of belonging within our beautifully diverse community.

Another role they get involved in is the interview process for new staff and they find out which questions the children would like to ask the candidates when they meet them. Junior Governors also represent our school at a range of public events including the Remembrance Sunday Parade in Dorchester and have been known to meet future kings in their time! They act as valued ambassadors for our school and share an insight into the amazing things that make Damers so unique.

Junior Governors have the responsibility of communicating their ideas and work with the whole school through assemblies, link class meetings and Junior Governor gatherings, presenting their ideas with teachers to school staff and the Governing Body.

How can children become a Junior Governor?

At the beginning of Year 4 the children find out about governance and the Junior Governor role in particular in assembly and have the opportunity to apply for the job. Children who would like to be considered for the role are invited to write an application letter which explains why they would like to be a Junior Governor and what strengths they can bring to the role.  Children are invited to an interview with the Headteacher and Deputy Headteachers. The applicants are shortlisted and appointed to the role and receive a letter from the Headteacher. The Junior Governor group then elect their own Chair And Vice-chair.

How can you spot a Junior Governor?

All Junior Governors are given a special badge so you can recognise them around the school. They would be happy to talk to you about their job and how they enjoy the responsibility.

What do our Junior Governors say about the role that they play?