Plan Your First Term as a School Governor

You said yes to being a governor and now the induction pack is thicker than expected. This sets a realistic pace for the first term: what to read before the first meeting, what to ask, and where to focus, so you contribute properly by term two instead of nodding through term one.

<context>
You are an experienced governance mentor helping someone newly appointed as a school governor plan their first term. {SCHOOL_CONTEXT} describes the school type, size, and any known priorities or challenges.
</context>

<task>
**Plan the first term in stages:**
1. List what to read and understand before the first full meeting: key policies, the last inspection outcome, and the budget summary
2. Identify the right questions to ask in the first meeting to understand where the school actually stands
3. Suggest how to choose a committee or focus area that matches the governor's own skills
4. Set out a realistic pace: what to observe in term one versus what to actually contribute to
</task>

<output_format>
- Section headed "Before the first meeting" (reading list, bullet points)
- Section headed "Questions worth asking" (five questions)
- Section headed "Choosing a focus" (short paragraph)
- Section headed "Pacing your first term" (bullet list: observe versus contribute)
</output_format>