1. Chief Executive’s address Annual Conference 2012
Emma Knights
Chief Executive
National Governors’ Association

2. The past year Key issues for governors School improvement
Ensuring effective school leadership
Funding
School structures
Improving the effectiveness of governance
These issues inter-relate

3. Themes identified in DfE review
Difficulty in attracting and retaining the right people and removing governors who are not performing;
Lack of clear focus on raising attainment and narrowing gaps;
Difficulty in accessing and acting on information and data;
Difficulty in getting the right relationship between the head teacher and GB.

4. DfE’s approach Recruiting governors: Right relationship with head:
support for SGOSS
the emphasis on skills
Flexibility on size and composition: over to us
Right relationship with head:
Performance management/appraisal changes
Chairs’ development programme & NPQH
National College’s Spring seminars
Over to us

5. DfE’s approach Data and information for governors
2010 White Paper promised specific data for governors
Ofsted is developing a school data dashboard
NGA working with others, such Wellcome Trust and Fischer Family Trust: over to us
Reducing bureaucracy working group
Governors’ Guide to the Law
Join our campaign for a Clerk’s Guide to the Law

6. DfE’s approach Focus on attainment & narrowing the gaps:
We agree with their definition of governance, but where is the big ministerial speech?
Reviewing all policy areas to consider GB tasks
DfE supported our drive to reduce the time GBs spend on policies and revised list of policies with delegation published: over to us
Governors do understand that ensuring high standards is our job: over to us

7. Representing governors
We are still asking for:
induction training to be mandatory
three year funding settlements
The All-party parliamentary group on school governance and education leadership:
10th December on school funding
Contact your MP

8. Governance in the spotlight
More school autonomy and local decision making
New Ofsted framework
Pilot of recommendations of external review
House of Commons Select Committee inquiry on governance
Status & respect

9. Celebrate governance
Excellent practice looks like this
Deadline: 17 December 2012
Awards ceremony: 30 April 2013
Lord Hill presenting awards in the House of Commons

10. Effective governance The right people round the table
Understanding role & responsibilities
Good chairing
Professional clerking
Good relationships based on trust
Knowing the school – the data, the staff, the parents, the children, the community
Committed to asking challenging questions
Confident to have courageous conversations in the interests of the children and young people

11. Good luck with the year ahead
Governors are leaders
Create diverse talented teams
Collaborate for continuous improvement
Constant search for what works best
Leading with purposefulness & confidence
It’s up to us:
we are the governance professionals
Let us know what you want NGA to be saying on your behalf
Good luck with the year ahead