Passing the buck
From Mrs M. E. Smith Sir: Dr Rhodes Boyson in his article 'Passing the buck' (January 3) pointed out that the influence of school governors in spheres other than appointments is nominal. As a school governor for many years may go further and say how powerless governors are to prevent their schools deteriorating to standards similar to the William Tyndale school. Headmasters are appointed by the county representatives and chairman of the governors and cannot be dismissed unless they morally offend or embezzle the school funds. They are paid according to the number in their schools and so it is financially advantageous to them to make their schools as large as possible. Deputy heads are likewise difficult to demote. Could there be better incentives to inefficiency and poor results?
Governors have no say on the school curriculum and can only suggest improvements at termly meetings. They never nowadays receive reports on the schools from HM Inspectors. Governors get the blame when a school deteriorates, but what powers do they have to prevent it?
Mary E. Wynington Smith School Governor Little Brittons, Spring Woods, Surrey
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