1. Strengthening governance together Emma Knights Chief Executive National Governors’ Association www.nga.org.uk NCOGs conference 15/10/10

2. Who are we? A membership organisation; members’ survey an independent charity & limited company the voice of school governors in England at national and regional level we represent governors from all state funded schools, including Academies we also aim to improve the effectiveness of governing bodies by providing expert advice and tailored information ‘Welcome to Governance’ & First Certificate

3. NGA’s manifesto 1.Governance to be given more prominence & status 2.Free mandatory training for new governors and chairs 3.Additional support for governing bodies 4.Funding for schools – transparent & fair 5.Heads to be trained on governance 6.Reduction in number of initiatives! stability to allow schools to improve

4. Strategic vs management “What governing bodies should expect from school leaders and what school leaders should expect from governing bodies” Joint document with ASCL & NAHT Time commitment – keep strategic Importance of the leadership of the Chair Length of service

5. Academies: the concerns of many of our members 1.Will governance arrangements weaken link between school & its stakeholder groups, reducing accountability to parents & community Particular issues for Federations 2.Possible effect on admissions 3.Capability to procure services No way of reverting to maintained status

6. Concerns continued … 4.Do we need the freedoms? –What about the extra freedoms for maintained schools? –What difference does it make to teaching & learning 5. Sustainability of LA services –Including Governor Support Services, SEN, school improvement 6.The potential effect on partnership work 7.Future funding 8.Liabilities of governors

7. OECD research Features of successful schools systems: High quality teaching High ambitions More school autonomy Framework of standards England – long tail of poor achievement - linked to disadvantage

8. Taking the initiative on… Reducing the bureaucracy of governance e.g. the list of tasks Measuring performance Developing guidance e.g Code of practice for GBs Self-evaluation & understanding data Challenging GB practice eg. staffing Recruiting skilled people

9. NGA & NCOGs Lots of potential to work together Recent coverage of governor support services Joint model practices But need to get smarter: –building on the best in LAs: a resource bank –service offer –Let’s not duplicate: e.g. why not refer to NGA’s Academies Q&A rather than develop your own? Making the case: we need case studies to show effective governance & model best practive Nominate for Governance awards

10. ‘Take heed Mr Gove’ More school autonomy requires effective GBs: governance is in the spotlight Support for governors Training for governors Who’s going to hold governing bodies to account and how?

11. Annual Conference ‘Managing school finances’ Saturday 6 th November, London Being opened by Lord Hill, Under-Secretary of State Free to NGA members; £100 to non-members www.nga.org.uk

12. Join us: LA corporate membership £200 Promote schools membership: Standard GB membership £60 GOLD GB membership £250 www.nga.org.uk governorhq@nga.org.uk 0121 237 3780 www.nga.org.uk governorhq@nga.org.uk