Training for school governors made simple on YouTube

The council's governor services team have filmed short videos to give governors an opportunity to find out about issues that affect them in their own time, saving them the need to travel to lots of meetings.

Wendy Barnard, Senior Support Services Officer stars in the first of a series of films planned:

"We felt that a small amount of our time making short videos giving governors key information would be valuable to governors. Those who already do the job can remind themselves of what they have to do to be effective and those who can't always make it to meetings and training sessions don't miss out. With video governors can rewind and stop the video if they need to make notes and also access information that we've made short and to the point.

"We use equipment available to all staff at the council to make the film so the only cost is our time.

"We've had good feedback from governors on the first one we made so we're going to make a series of films tackling the issues that matter to those who do the job."

Anne Gimson, a governor at Cantref Primary School in Abergavenny, said:

"It is really great to see our governor support team using different methods to get good information out to us as governors; The videos are available 24/7 and can therefore be accessed at a time that is most convenient for each governor. Many people also find watching and listening to others in conversation much more engaging than reading lengthy documents."

The films can be viewed on our governor services page.

This month Monmouthshire Council won three "SomeComms Awards", the UK's leading social media accolades, including 'Best Use of Youtube'.