1. NATSPEC Governor Seminars 2009
Becoming outstanding – governance support for quality improvement in ISCs
Sue Preece HMI
Spring 2009

2. Objectives of the session
Present four key characteristics of effective governance and link these to the articles of governance
Provide guidance on how inspectors might look for evidence of these characteristics pre- and during inspection

3. Characteristics of effective governance
Strong emphasis on setting a clear strategic purpose and direction
Governors have appropriate experience, skills and personal qualities
Relationships between governors and senior managers are effective
Unrelenting focus on achieving the highest standards

4. Rationale for governance
Determining the educational character and mission
Governing body membership
Role in appointing the principal and other senior post-holders
Oversight of the college’s activities

5. Clear strategic purpose and direction
Regularly reviewed in relation to the community the college serves
Appropriate mission and values
Clear aims and objectives
Focus on excellence and inclusion
Staff and stakeholders understand their roles and responsibilities

6. Governors skills and personal qualities.
Broad range to underpin the strategic direction
Shared values and ethos
Commitment to training
High aspirations and expectations

7. Relationships with senior managers
Appoint effective senior post holders
The respective roles and responsibilities of the chair and principal are clear
Developing the capacity and skills of managers at all levels is a priority
Governors have the skills to challenge senior and other managers
Governors are well-informed

8. Achieving the highest standards
Model of governance ensures that all are involved in monitoring the quality of the learners’ experience
Clarity of purpose for all meetings
How success will be measured is clear
Governors have an accurate and realistic understanding of the college’s strengths and areas for improvement

9. College Inspection Handbook 08/09
Leadership and Management
the effectiveness with which governors and other supervisory boards discharge their responsibilities
how effectively performance is monitored and improved through quality assurance and self-assessment
how well equality of opportunity is promoted and discrimination tackled so that all learners achieve their potential

10. College Inspection Handbook 08/09
Strengthened evaluation statements for capacity to improve
the extent to which governors have the appropriate expertise to fulfil their duties and ask challenging questions of senior managers to raise or maintain high standards & positive learner experiences and outcomes
the extent to which the college has a robust strategic plan and business objectives
whether or not the management structure of the college is appropriate with clear roles and responsibilities to enable the college to move forward with its mission and key priorities

11. College Inspection Handbook 08/09
Strengthened evaluation statements for capacity to improve
whether the college is financially stable and financial management is sufficiently robust to support the college’s planned development and improvements
the progress the college has made in making improvements since the last inspection

12. Pre-inspection Pre-inspection commentary (PIC) Preliminary hypotheses
College’s self-assessment report
Last inspection, monitoring visit and any survey reports
LSC provider briefing
Information about learner achievements and progress
College web-site
Preliminary hypotheses
Areas for exploration

13. During inspection Read documentation Meetings
Strategic and development plans
Minutes of board meetings and accompanying papers
Meetings
The chair and/or other governors
Chairs of key committees and other governors
Liaise with the NPFA

14. During inspection- evidence from documents
Are the mission and values of the college inclusive and relevant?
What arrangements do governors have for monitoring the achievement of strategic objectives?
Are there robust plans in place to sustain high standards or to improve where necessary?
Board papers
Why- What- Recommendations- Follow-up.

15. During inspection- meetings
How have governors, staff and key stakeholders been involved in developing the strategic plan?
How are governors selected and are they representative?
Are there effective arrangements to ensure that governors have the skills to be able to challenge senior managers?
Do governors have an accurate understanding of the strengths of the college and are they clear about what action is taking place to secure improvement?
What arrangements are there for consulting with learners and key stakeholders?
How effectively does the Governing body monitor and judge its own performance?

16. NATSPEC Governor Seminars 2009
Becoming outstanding – governance support for quality improvement in ISCs
Sue Preece HMI
Spring 2009