1. WELCOME Challenge and Support

2. What is challenge and support Table discussion As a governor what do you think Challenge and Support looks like?

3. Challenge and support 1.Recognising and celebrating the achievements of the school 2.Recognising where the school is not achieving as it should 3.Providing support and encouraging strategies to bring about improvement

4. Why do we need to be Challenging and Supportive as Governors? support and challenge Governors enhances school leadership by providing support and challenge, ensuring that all statutory duties are met, appointing the headteacher and holding them to account for the impact of the school’s work on improving outcomes for all pupils – Ofsted

5. Balancing Support and Challenge SupportChallenge Do not be bamboozled Compare and benchmark Use data to inform Learn to love RAISE and FFT! Listen to ‘blue skies’ ideas Resist listening to gossip Face difficult staffing issues

7. What are the Inputs we Need?

9. What does this look like for us and how does this help our Challenge and Supportive Role Building Good Relationships Visits to School Monitoring the Priorities Evaluation of External Moderation Have Effective Meetings Understanding Data (Internal and external ) Thinking of the inputs – What kind of questions could we ask as governors in our Challenging Role? The Role – Breaking it Down

10. Governors need to be well informed and knowledgeable and given high- quality, accurate information that is concise and focused on pupil achievement. This information should be made accessible by being presented in a wide variety of formats, that governors can understand including charts and graphs. Ofsted said

11. School Improvement Plan/SDP WHAT IS A SDP An improvement or development plan with opportunities that the stakeholders in the school have identified as being the main priorities to be addressed in order to raise standards. The plan will identify the actions, resources, responsibilities, time-scales and success criteria

12. School Improvement Plan The School Development/Improvement Plan is a tool that governors can use to monitor progress and evaluate what has been achieved. The plan is reviewed regularly at whole governing body meetings and/or committee meetings. 1.It is a document that lays out the strategies the school will adopt to secure and sustain school improvement. It brings together national, local and school priorities. 2.It should specify targets and those people responsible for implementing them, a timescale, the resources needed and success criteria. 3.The headteacher, staff and governors work together on the preparation, review and monitoring of the plan. It is a working document

13. School Improvement Plan Made Easy 1. What is the issue? TARGET KS2 yr 6 boys are below average in reading 2. What do we want? Increase the rate of progress and standard for boys in reading 3. How do we do this? Staff Continuous Professional Development on guide group working reading Observations in good practice reading 4. The Success Criteria 80% of Boys in KS2 Yr 6 to attain level 4+ in reading

14. Targets (SMART) named people responsible for action links to the school budget identify training and support needs; state the evidence that will demonstrate success make clear how, when and by whom progress will be monitored and evaluated drive the agendas for governing body meetings and the headteacher’s objectives? Effective School Improvement

15. 1.Headteacher’s report to governors 2.Questionnaires and surveys 3.Visits and observations 4.Parental feedback 5.Data 6.School Improvement Plan 7.Policies 8.Ofsted 9.Governor minutes 10.Budget Report Table discussion: What will you be looking to find as evidence in each of the above? Why Are These Resources Useful?

16. Ofsted (Getting it Right) 1.ensure clarity of vision, ethos & strategic direction 2.understand the strengths and weaknesses of the school - including the impact of teaching on achievement and how this relates to Performance Related Pay 3.challenge as well as support the school’s leadership

17. What Ofsted said about school visits In 8 of the 14 schools visited, governors routinely attend lessons to gather information about the school at work. All the governors who were interviewed visit their schools regularly and talk with staff, pupils and parents. Clear protocols for visits ensure that the purpose is understood by school staff and governors alike. Alongside the information they are given about the school, these protocols help them to make informed decisions, ask searching questions and provide meaningful support

18. Take the Visit Quiz Question Do Don’t Maybe 1. Arrive unannounced 2. Agree the purpose of the visit with the governing body and the headteacher 3. Prepare carefully 4. Give praise where it is due 5. Go in like an inspector 6. Sit at the back making notes 7. Talk to the teacher while s/he is teaching

19. Know Your School Be Supportive Visits to School Look at the School website View your latest OFSTED Communicate with the whole school community Attend School events Read and Prepare for meetings

20. The jury – not the judge? Ask to have things explained so you understand Expect to see evidence of efficacy Ask the ‘stupid question’ Look at the data – wrestle with the numbers Demand tables, graphs and charts

21. Above all Remember to be supportive: Celebrate the good Be positive Well done goes along way