The personal and career benefits of getting involved in school and academy governance…

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Dominic Judge - Director of Governance Programmes

Education and Employers

Suzy Broadhead – Head of Employer and Volunteer Engagement, Education and Employers

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www.inspiringgovernance.org

The need for governance in schools…

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According to the OECD….

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1. UK 4^th in the world by % GDP for investing in education - £ billions
2. One of the most autonomous education systems in the world
3. The largest ratio in the world between HT and teacher pay.….

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Our own research shows a decade of pos+ change in governance…. but not in the diversity of governing boards themselves….

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What are the 3 functions of the school governor role?….

1. Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction

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• Holding executive leaders to account for the educational performance of the organisation and its pupils, and the effective and efficient performance management of staff; and

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• Overseeing the financial performance of the organisation and making sure its money is well spent.

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What’s the approximate commitment?...

• We say about 5-8 hours a month
• Usually, a 2+ hour meeting every half-term (6 in a year). These are usually in the early evening.
• Preparatory reading of board papers for these
• Possibly a visioning day/ governor walk day during the year

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Then - depending on your availability - supporting

• Recruitment
• Finance Committee
• Headteacher performance review
• Vice Chair/ Chair/ Safeguarding/ committees/ etc.
• Etc.

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What can I bring?...

DfE research in 2020 shows financial skills the most sought-after skill set by governing boards…..

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• Strategic oversight and scrutiny of budgets (not day to day preparing accounts!)
• Reviewing the school’s forecasting and budget setting for each financial year
• Ensuring financial compliance, strategically ensuring controls and processes are in place, and overseeing their risk register
• Suggesting cost savings and efficiencies
• Signing off after seeing cost/ benefit analysis of purchases over a certain threshold.
• Tendering – could provide strategic advice re procurement of facilities and services

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Is becoming a School Governor right for me?

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• Am I too young?

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• Do I have enough experience?

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• Will I receive support/training? Ideal first role - support from school, local authority, NGA

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• Length of Term - 4 years commitment

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Types of Governor Roles

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• General Governor Role

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• Link Governor – to an area of the school e.g. School Finance Manager

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• Vice Chair or chair of the finance committee

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• Recruitment and Selection

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• Headteacher appraisal

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• Student exclusions

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All these provide exceptional personal and professional growth

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Why do it?... The benefits…

• IG surveys - 95% enjoying and 97% would recommend becoming a governor to a friend
• Developing strategic board level skills and experience in different contexts (76% in annual NGA/TES survey)
• Our recent Value of Volunteering research shows benefits for personal skill development, benefits for your employer (motivation and productivity) and benefits for your personal health and well-being.

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“The greatest thing is being involved in the school community, supporting the education of young people, using my knowledge and skills and developing new ones”

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A personal perspective…

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• Douglas Primary school (100-year celebration, 95% multi-ethnic primary school, Ofsted, Head departure, LA forced school closure)

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• Carlton Academy (special measures, NLE support, NOR/ budget, migration into a MAT, head appointments, cross MAT working and support)

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Volunteers from different sectors really do bring valuable perspectives…

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www.inspiringgovernance.org

Everyone on Board…

• 5%, 4%, 9% Vs 34% - There is a fundamental and growing divergence between those making decisions and those receiving them
• Governors have a strategic role on race
• Why independent governor recruitment services are important…..
• Joint Everyone on Board campaign with NGA – OBV, BYP, CSRF, RECs, employer race networks, etc.
• Seeds of hope?..... 30+% of 2021/22 IG appts & 11% of newly appointed governors over the last year from an ethnic minority (NGA survey 2021)

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How does IG work and how can I get involved?

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What you will need to have with you/think about

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• Where would you be able/like to be a Governor – Work and Home?

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• Type of School – linked to your interests/expertise

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• Skills and Knowledge that will help schools

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• Personal Statement

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Top Tips - Writing a Personal Statement

• What motivates you to volunteer as a governor – could be your own experiences of school as well as giving something back to your community

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• Include if looking at specific type of school (primary, secondary, special needs, faith etc.). Remember there are far more primary schools than secondaries, and more opportunities to govern in primaries. Don’t limit your options unless you are absolutely set on one type.

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• Skills and experience that you can bring - e.g., finance or legal understanding, clear communication, data analysis, problem solving or business skills, community engagement, building relationships, education experience (not essential). In addition, curiosity, enthusiasm and confidence are very welcome, so don’t forget these less obvious abilities.

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• Demonstrate you are committed. It’s what governing boards are looking for. e.g., any previous volunteering experience, regular attendance at something you have been a member of or your strong work ethic.

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What to expect next ?

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• Informal chat with Head or Chair of Governors

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• Visit to the School

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• Interview

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• Shadow/attend Full Governing Body

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• Board vote

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You’re a Governor!

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• Free copy of the NGA’s Welcome to Governance guide

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• Learning Link – Access to NGA’s online modules around governance

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• Attend a Welcome to Governance LIVE webinar - optional

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• Support from the governing board itself (often LA governor training)

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• Some boards pair you with a buddy/ mentor

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You will be well supported in your first year of governance….

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Example Vacancies

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Hurstmere School, Sidcup, Kent (Bexley, London LA) – A single-sex, boys secondary, constituted as a Single Academy Trust SAT.

The Chair is currently looking for two governors/trustees with experience in finance or careers as a priority. Governors from diverse ethnic backgrounds are also very welcome

A variety of vacancies in Wakefield Local Authority Maintained Schools.

• Stitlington Netherton Junior and Infants – Referral from Wakefield LA because of the need for more outward-facing governors, as most of the governing board’s current members are linked to the school.
• Castleford Townville Infants School - Already has two RI Ofsted judgements and is in the current Ofsted window. 

Both schools are open to a variety of skills but would be especially interested in new governors with finance experience.

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Welcome to our governors and trustees...

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Alice Clementi – St Mary’s School, Ascot – Girls 11-18 years

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