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The pace of change in education continues to accelerate and expectations of governors are high. Those responsible for governance are required to ensure that they have adequate knowledge to carry out their duties. The DfE Competency Framework for Governance sets out the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed for effective governance and raises the expectation that training is undertaken. Under the new OFSTED Framework, inspectors will assess governance as part of the overall judgement on ‘leadership and management’.

We are pleased to offer a wide range of governor workshops, alongside the Professional Clerks Development Programme, that will enable Governors, Chairs and Clerks to have increased confidence in their ability to understand their role and carry it out effectively.

An overview of all workshop dates for 2022-23 can be found here. Further information can be found in the drop-down sections below, and places can be booked via our online booking system.

'Closing the Gap' are funding a range of workshop places for governors in Leicester Primary Partnership schools, and further information can be found here. (Please book via the online system and select the funded option).

Governors and the Curriculum

Does your school offer a broad based compliant curriculum ?

This workshop will look at the responsibility of Governors to ensure that the school curriculum is balanced and broadly based. 

Objectives

· Overview of the curriculum

· How to determine whether the curriculum is balanced and broadly based 

· Does the curriculum promote the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils at the school and of society; and prepare pupils at the school for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life?  

· How to monitor the curriculum as a governor

Resources are provided

The workshop cost is £30 per delegate. Click here to view the flyer and dates for 2022-23, and visit our online booking system to book places.

Governing Body Self Reviews

This workshop explores how self-evaluation can improve individual and team effectiveness.

It will give participants the opportunity to look at a range of different self-review tools, with a view to identifying possible and appropriate forms of review for their governing body given its particular needs and stage of development.

Objectives

  • Identify how individual and team self-evaluation can play a role in developing an effective governing board and improving the school.
  • Explore a range of self-evaluation tools for participants to take back to their governing boards, to consider using.

The workshop cost is £30 per delegate. Click here to view the flyer and dates for 2022-23, and visit our online booking system to book places.

Effective Chairing

This workshop is suitable for existing, new and prospective chairs.

Being a chair of the governing board is a key role that provides the board with clear leadership and direction, and keeps it focused on its core functions.

This workshop aims to develop an understanding of how chairs can:

· lead effective governance

· lead the business of the governing board

· build the team

· develop a good relationship with the headteacher

The workshop cost is £30 per delegate. Click here to view the flyer and dates for 2022-23, and visit our online booking system to book places.

Active Governance

Active governance is about much more than sitting through a few meetings over the year. Effective governance needs those involved to work as a team to understand their school and to focus on the core functions of governance.

This workshop focuses on what you can do to be an active governor and aims to develop an understanding of:

· effective school visits

· what questions you could ask in meetings and visits

· how you can participate effectively in governance of your school

The workshop cost is £30 per delegate. Click here to view the flyer and dates for 2022-23, and visit our online booking system to book places.

SEND for Governors

Governing bodies have important statutory duties towards pupils with special educational needs and disabilities.

This online twilight workshop will provide governors with an understanding of:

  • the role and responsibilities of the SEND governor
  • how to challenge and support the SENCO in your school
  • the law around special educational needs and your duties
  • how to ask the right questions

This course is vital to those governors taking on the role of SEND governor and will also be very informative for Chairs and other governors.

The workshop cost is £30 per delegate. Click here to view the flyer and dates for 2022-23, and visit our online booking system to book places.

Preparation for Ofsted

Participating in an Ofsted inspection can be a daunting experience, even for the most experienced of governors. However, preparing in advance is essential for success. It is highly recommended that governors review the key questions that may be asked, as answering these sufficiently requires in-depth knowledge of school data, progress, procedures and processes.

This online twilight workshop will allow you to examine Key Messages relating to Ofsted expectations, the New Ofsted Framework and Ofsted Policy and Practice.

Find out how to:

  • prepare for an Ofsted Inspection
  • demonstrate impact as a governor
  • demonstrate that you fully understand the strengths, weaknesses and uniqueness of the school
  • fully understand pupil premium and Sports Premium funding and the expectations of a governor

The workshop cost is £30 per delegate. Click here to view the flyer and dates for 2022-23, and visit our online booking system to book places.

Governing Body Panels

Governing bodies are required to convene panels for a range of purposes and there is usually a tight timescale to do so. It is recommended that governing bodies have a group of governors who are trained on panels and so are ready when needed.

This online twilight workshop aims to develop understanding of:

  • Types of panels, including Exclusions, Complaints, Staff Discipline and Dismissal, Staff Grievance and Pay Appeal
  • When you need to convene panels
  • What guidance, regulations and policies govern panel hearings
  • Practical issues of setting up and administering panel hearings
  • The sorts of questions you should ask
  • What decisions you can make
  • What happens if there is an appeal

The workshop cost is £30 per delegate. Click here to view the flyer and dates for 2022-23, and visit our online booking system to book places.

Holding School Leaders to Account

How can school governors help in holding schools to account?

Governors are essential in holding school leaders to account for the quality of  all-round education. But there’s a fine balance to be struck between offering support and challenge, and avoiding practice that makes it more difficult for school leaders to do their job.

This online twilight workshop is aimed at helping governors to develop their skills to:

  • Ask challenging informed questions confidently
  • Monitor all-round performance not just test results
  • Sensitively interrogate impact
  • Be a ‘critical friend’
  • Be contextually literate
  • Analyse regularly received reports

The workshop cost is £30 per delegate. Click here to view the flyer and dates for 2022-23, and visit our online booking system to book places.

Understanding Data

This online twilight workshop aims to:

  • show governors what they need to focus on and what they need to know in order to hold their school to account
  • help governors to support and challenge the leadership team
  • show how strengths and weaknesses are highlighted and provide guidance on to how to use the Inspection Dashboard effectively
  • Use data from your own school in the previous academic year

The workshop cost is £30 per delegate. Click here to view the flyer and dates for 2022-23, and visit our online booking system to book places.

Effective Governance

This online twilight workshop is suitable for those:

  • New to the role, as an introduction to governance
  • Experienced in governance who want to develop their understanding and practice further
  • Involved in governance in schools (maintained or academies) or at academy trust level

High quality effective and ethical governance is key to success in our school system. The purpose of governance is to provide confident and strong strategic leadership which leads to robust accountability, oversight and assurance for educational and financial performance. This workshop will explore what we mean by effective governance and consider what you can do to achieve it.

This workshop aims to develop understanding of:

  • The top 10 characteristics of effective governance
  • The duties and accountabilities of governance
  • Practical measures to support effective governance

The workshop cost is £30 per delegate. Click here to view the flyer and dates for 2022-23, and visit our online booking system to book places.

Disadvantaged Pupils (Pupil Premium)

At the end of this online twilight workshop, delegates will:

  • Know the definition of ‘disadvantaged pupils’ and the funding they attract
  • Be clear on the role of the Governing Body and its accountability for Pupil Premium
  • Know what data is available and how it can be used to ask the right questions
  • Be aware of whole-school strategies that have been successful and effective.

The workshop cost is £30 per delegate. Click here to view the flyer and dates for 2022-23, and visit our online booking system to book places.

Safeguarding for Governors

This online twilight workshop aims to give all governors an introduction to this important topic and equip them with the knowledge needed to actively fulfil their duties in school.

This workshop aims to:

  • give all governors an introduction to this important topic and equip them with the knowledge needed to actively fulfill their duties in school.
  • heighten commitment to the significance of effective safeguarding of children.
  • support governors in their duty to monitor and evaluate their school’s safeguarding policies and procedures.

The workshop is very important to all governing bodies and governors are encouraged to set aside time for reflection and action.

The workshop cost is £30 per delegate. Click here to view the flyer and dates for 2022-23, and visit our online booking system to book places.

Professional Clerks’ Development Programme

This programme offers both new and experienced clerks an opportunity to develop their role so that they can contribute effectively to governance at their school or academy trust. New clerks will be able to develop their understanding of clerking and develop essential knowledge and skills, whilst experienced clerks will be able to enhance and develop their competencies and expertise.

The programme will consist of:

  • Four online modules, facilitated by an experienced, high quality facilitator 
  • 360° evaluation to establish your competencies and areas to develop
  • Reflection on your learning throughout the programme
  • Peer support and sharing practice with other clerks on the programme

Modules

  1. Understanding Governance and the Role of the Clerk
  2. Administration, Advice and Guidance
  3. People and Relationships
  4. Governing Body Panels

The programme will cost £200 per delegate. The next cohort starts on Wednesday 7th December 2022 and further details are available here.  Details are also available for the Summer 2023 here. To book a place, please visit our online booking system.