Janet Scott 15th November 2017

Effective governance – how am I doing? Reviewing performance and planning for improvement. An opportunity to reflect and consider your contribution to help create a stronger and more motivated board. Does your Board have the skills and expertise that enables it to support the head teacher and senior leadership team?

Governors… Ensure the clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction Hold executive leaders to account for the education performance of the organisation and its pupils Oversee the financial management of the school and ensure money is being well spent.

Why is self evaluation important? Monitoring effectiveness is a key element of good governance both to assess efficiency and to ensure ongoing compliance with statutory and legal duties. It is also important that individuals reflect on their own contribution helping create a stronger and more motivated board.

TO BE EFFECTIVE ……..

and

COMPETENCIES

PRINCIPLES AND PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES The principles and personal attributes that individuals bring to the board are as important as their skills and knowledge. These qualities enable board members to use their skills and knowledge to function well as part of a team and make an active contribution to effective governance. All those elected or appointed to boards should fulfil their duties in line with the seven principles of public life (the Nolan principles). They should also be mindful of their responsibilities under equality legislation, recognising and encouraging diversity and inclusion. The Competency Framework for Governance – P7

Curious Creative As governors we should be: Committed Confident Challenging Collaborative Critical Creative A competency framework for governance – P7

SKILLS AND EFFECTIVE BEHAVIOURS STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP KNOWLEDGE EVERYONE ON THE BOARD KNOWS THE STRATEGIC PRIORITIES AND CHARITABLE OBJECTS FOR THEIR ORGANISATION SKILLS AND EFFECTIVE BEHAVIOURS THINKS STRATEGICALLY AND CONTRIBUTES TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ORGANISATION’S STRATEGY STRATEGIC NOT OPERATIONAL Governors do not run the school They oversee, monitor and SUPPORT and challenge A competency framework for governance P9

EDUCATIONAL STANDARDS Boards must ensure that the school has a broad and balanced curriculum – that includes English, maths and science Governors should ask searching questions about the curriculum and assessment If changes to the curriculum on offer are suggested the Board needs to ensure that this is in the best interests of the pupils at the school Question how the in-school assessment system in use effectively supports the attainment and progress of all pupils, including those with a Special Educational Need of Disability

SELF-EVALUATION OF THE GOVERNING BODY WHY IS IT IMPORTANT? Monitoring effectiveness is a key element of good governance both to assess efficiency and to ensure ongoing compliance with statutory and legal duties. It is also important that individuals reflect on their own contribution helping to create a stronger and more motivated board. The chair needs your support and shouldn’t be left to do everything

The Chair Actively invites feedback on their own performance. Leads performance review of the board and its committees. Undertakes open and honest conversations with governors about their performance and development needs.

HOW DO WE KNOW WE ARE AS GOOD AS WE THINK WE ARE? TIME TO REFLECT HOW DO WE KNOW WE ARE AS GOOD AS WE THINK WE ARE? ARE OUR MEETINGS FOCUSED? DO WE USE OUR TIME EFFECTIVELY? ARE ALL MEETINGS WELL ATTENDED, AND DOES EVERYONE PLAY AN ACTIVE ROLE? IS OUR STRUCTURE EFFECTIVE? COULD I BE MORE EFFECTIVE AS A GOVERNOR AND HOW?

DON’T BE AN INVISIBLE GOVERNOR TIME TO REFLECT Being effective as governors is not just about attending meetings. Governors should also be prepared to give time to participate in school life outside of the meeting schedule. Knowing your school is an important element of effective governance – Link visits School events Disciplinary hearings Opportunities to meet the pupils Opportunities to meet the staff DON’T BE AN INVISIBLE GOVERNOR

And don’t forget you can enhance your own skills during your time as a governor.

Also modules on Performance Data and Finance https://www.sgoss.org.uk/elearning.html Also modules on Performance Data and Finance

USEFUL INFORMATION A competency framework for governance Governance Handbook Academies financial handbook Clerking competency framework Keeping children safe in education Working together to safeguard children FREE e-learning training

THANK YOU Janet.scott@sgoss.org.uk www.sgoss.org.uk/home