Governor Training Safeguarding & Risk taking Substance mis-use supporting schools to become Outstanding

The national picture More than 300,000 school governors in England form one of the largest volunteer groups in the country. Since 1988, school governing bodies have taken on more responsibilities and their role has become more important as schools have gained increasing autonomy.

Key features of outstanding practice “Good governance at a school is of huge importance and can have a considerable impact on the success of a school. Governors play a critical role in guiding, supporting and challenging schools.” Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector, Christine Gilbert, Ofsted. May 2011

Nominated Governors – Good Practice Drugs Education Governor it is suggested that governing bodies nominated a governor to provide a link between the governing body, its committee and the appropriate member of staff leading on this policy

Key features of outstanding practice Governing bodies of maintained schools and local authorities must comply with the Education Act 2002 (section 175) and have regard to guidance issued by the Secretary of State. The DfES (now DfE) guidance Safeguarding children and safer recruitment in education, makes it clear that schools must provide a safe environment and take action to identify and protect any children or young people who are at risk of significant harm.

Promoting safeguarding through teaching and learning In outstanding schools, the curriculum is flexible, relevant and engages pupils’ interest. It is also used to promote safeguarding, not least through teaching pupils how to stay safe, how to keep themselves from harm and how to take responsibility for their own and others’ safety. Personal, social and health education (PSHE) plays a crucial part in teaching children and young people to recognise dangers and harmful situations and to know the preventative actions they can take to keep themselves safe.

Nominated Governors – Good Practice Drugs Education Governor Finding out about current policy and practice including knowledge of rewards and sanctions, pupil behaviour and discipline Provide an information link about the school’s policy and practice between the school, its parents and the wider community Making sure that all other governors are familiar with the school’s policy and practice and its impact on raising standards Support the school in monitoring and evaluating the drug education school’s policy Supporting and promoting the involvement of parents in the school’s practice

Key features of outstanding practice Ofsted says a good relationship between school governors and the leadership team is critical for schools to the quality of provision and pupil achievement.

Key features of outstanding practice ‘Safeguarding…is an issue addressed not only with increasing sureness by those responsible for keeping children and learners safe, but one felt keenly by those most vulnerable to harm and neglect.’ Safeguarding in schools: best practice 2011

Key features of outstanding practice - outstanding safeguarding arrangements high-quality leadership and management that makes safeguarding a priority across all aspects of a school’s work rigorous safeguarding policies and procedures in place, written in plain English, and updated regularly

Key features of outstanding practice There can be no issue of greater importance to parents and carers, or to schools, than the safety of their children. Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector, Miriam Rosen In outstanding schools, pupils’ safeguarding is central to all that the schools do.

Key features of outstanding practice the impact of safeguarding arrangements on outcomes for pupils, including staying safe, being healthy, making a positive contribution, enjoying and achieving, and developing skills for economic well-being how well pupils are taught to keep themselves safe

Key features of outstanding practice input from former drug addicts and people who had been homeless was reported as having a powerful effect on young people when considering the choices they could make and their consequences.

Key features of outstanding practice The education watchdog found no reasons why all schools cannot provide pupils with a safe environment for learning ‘Safeguarding in schools: best practice’ 2011

Key features of outstanding practice Relevant, current government requirements for safeguarding in educational settings are set out in two key documents: Safeguarding children and safer recruitment in education, Department for Education, 2006; detail/page1/DFES detail/page1/DFES Working together to safeguard children: a guide to inter- agency working to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, Department for Education, 2010; detail/page1/DCSF detail/page1/DCSF