Busy yet passive: (non-)decision-making in school governing bodies

Abstract

School governing bodies in England have considerable powers and duties, and their formal role positions them as decision-makers. This article draws on qualitative research in the governing bodies of four maintained schools. Using deliberative democracy as a sensitising concept, the article considers some processes by which decisions are made (or not made) in governing bodies. Without claiming that governors never make decisions, it explores constraints and limitations on their ability to do so. Governors exhibit a paradoxical combination of busy-ness and passivity. On the one hand, governing bodies are constituted and structured around activity and technically decisions were made. On the other, decisions could rarely be attributed to active choices by governors. Rather, their more passive agreement with actions and positions was presented as almost unavoidable ‘common sense’, either due to the national policy context or the headteacher’s presentation of the available options.

Keywords:

• School governing bodies
• deliberative democracy
• parents
• meetings

Acknowledgements

The original research for the article formed part of the author’s PhD. Professor Carol Vincent and Professor Stephen Ball have provided extremely helpful support and advice. The author is also very grateful for the constructive comments made by the anonymous reviewers of this article.