About Govas

GOVAS works closely with the Stockport Children and Young People Directorate, but we are a fully independent association of governors affiliated to the equally independent National Governors Association. Every governor in Stockport is automatically a GOVAS member (as long as your institution pays their subscriptionof £10.00 PA)and our Management Committee is made up exclusively of serving volunteer governors in Stockport’s schools – nursery, primary secondary and special. Our biggest strength is our links with all the school governors in Stockport through our newsletter, special communications, and this website.  

 

WHY SHOULD OUR SCHOOL JOIN GOVAS?

GOVAS is the School Governors` Association for Stockport.  It is the representative body of governors of publicly funded schools in Stockport.  Schools pay an annual subscription of £10 to GOVAS.  All members of the school`s governing body are then full members of GOVAS. 

GOVAS is affiliated to the National Governors` Association, and is able to access NGA information and support.

GOVAS represents Stockport school governors on many bodies of Stockport MBC, presenting governors` views and ensuring that your voice is heard.

GOVAS  is independent of the Local Authority, and cherishes this independence, since it gives us strength when presenting governor concerns.  However, we work with the LA where this is beneficial to governors, and have a Memorandum of Understanding with the LA to ensure that governor support is coherent and effective.

GOVAS works to ensure good practice of governance.  We share good practice through our website, and through meetings and conferences.

GOVAS raises issues of educational concern through its website and through regular newsletters to governors.  We coordinate governors` views and ensure that they are passed on to those who can act to improve the education of Stockport`s children and young people.

GOVAS works to ensure that Stockport governors have access to sound advice, relevant information, good training opportunities, and individual support when needed.

GOVAS members elect a Management Committee at its Annual General Meeting. This committee is active throughout the year, working for Stockport governors.

The work of GOVAS on behalf of Stockport`s children and young people can be summarized as

·         Enabling communication between governors in Stockport schools

·         Developing the skills and knowledge of Stockport governors

·         Ensuring that governors have a voice in Stockport`s education services