Governors provide strategic leadership and accountability in schools. Governors appoint the head teacher and deputy headteacher. In some schools the site is owned by the governing board. It is the governors who hold the main responsibility for finance in the school and it is governors who work with the headteacher to make the tough decisions about balancing resources.
Governors have three core functions:
- Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
- Holding the executive leaders to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils and the performance management of staff
- Overseeing the financial performance of the organisation and making sure its money is well spent
For more information please see the NGA National Governance Association
For course enquiries or questions, please contact Sharon Siddons on 07771 252252 or sharon.siddons@dtsa.org.uk
The following courses will enable governors to fulfill their role
Governor Induction
Underpinning all of our courses is the DGP Governor Induction Programme which consists of three modules, each one covering a core strategic function as detailed in the latest DfE Governor Handbook.
We strongly urge any governor or clerk who has not followed this programme to book a place – information about the next session can be found in our regular e-newsletters or on our website.
Governors are busy people but there is a national expectation that they will keep their skills up to date and this is something Ofsted will consider.
Having followed an induction programme governors can develop their skills further by following up with other courses linked to the core strategic functions.
Three sessions plus on going mentoring
Date: TBA
Facilitator: Sandra Fletcher
Venue: Derby Conference Centre, London Road, Derby DE24 8UX
Time: 7pm – 9pm
Cost: £185 for DGP Partner Schools and £265 for a Non Partner School
Date: 7 March 2019, 14 March 2019, 21 March 2019
Facilitator: Sandra Fletcher
Venue: Derby Conference Centre, London Road, Derby DE24 8UX
Time: 7pm – 9pm
Cost: £185 for DGP Partner Schools and £265 for a Non Partner School
Governance Improvement Partnership Meetings
A chance to collaborate and share practice, concerns and ideas with other governors. A facilitated discussion session looking at a theme identified by governors themselves.
Previous sessions have covered :
- Parental Engagement
- Ofsted preparation
- British Values
- The Monitoring Role
‘Very informative and friendly atmosphere.’
‘Some useful resources and ideas to use.’
‘Great to work and share with other clerks and governors.’
Date: 4 April 2019
Facilitator: Various
Venue: Derby Conference Centre, London Road, Derby DE24 8UX
Time: 7pm – 9pm
Cost: £0 for DGP Partner Schools and £25 for a Non Partner School. Please note there will be a charge of £25 for non-attendance by partner or non partner schools
Chair of Governor’s Peer Review
An opportunity to be part of a new process where professionally facilitated triads of Chairs of Governors will meet to support and collaborate with each other to review and develop their role to support strong school governance.
Each of the three Chair of Governors completes a DGP questionnaire on the following areas:
- How do you give your governing body a clear lead and direction, ensuring that the governors work as an effective team and understand their accountability and the part they play in the strategic leadership of the school and in driving school improvement?
- How do you build the team: attracting governors with the necessary skills and ensuring that tasks are delegated across the governing body so that all members contribute, and feel that their individual skills, knowledge and experience are well used and that the overall workload is shared?
- How have you built your relationship with the headteacher: Being a critical friend by offering support, challenge and encouragement, holding the headteacher to account and ensuring the headteacher’s performance management is rigorous and robust; a good comparison is with the role of the chair of a board of trustees who works with the chief executive of an organisation but does not run day-to-day operations?
- How do you carry out your role in improving your school: ensuring school improvement is the focus of all policy and strategy and that governor scrutiny, monitoring and challenge reflect school improvement priorities?
- How do you lead the business: ensuring that statutory requirements and regulations are met, that the school provides value for money in its use of resources and that governing body business is conducted efficiently and effectively?
Completed questionnaires are shared in confidence by email with the two others in the review plus the experienced external facilitator (who is also a Chair of Governors). These are then presented and reviewed at half a day peer review meeting of the three chairs with the external facilitator with each chair taking a turn at being constructively and sportively questioned by the others about their answers to clarify what is working well and identify areas for development.
Experience shows that chairs involved in this process learn as much from acting as a reviewer as they do from being the reviewee. Each Chair of Governors will leave the session with areas for development identified within a personal action plan.
Dates, venue and time: By mutual agreement
Cost: £185 for Partner Schools and £240 for non-partner schools
Headteacher Appraisal
Support your head through a robust appraisal process and objectives which support the school improvement agenda.
This covers competency area 2 – Accountability
Date: TBA
Facilitator: Chris Merrick
Venue: Flint Bishop Boardroom, St Michael’s Court, Derby DE1 3HQ
Time: 7pm – 9pm
Cost: £55 for a partner school and £80 for a non-partner school.
PLEASE NOTE THERE IS AMPLE FREE PARKING ON SITE AT THE VENUE. Park in the Flint Bishop Car Park. At the top of the of the Car Park is Reception, it’s the second door from the left. If the door is closed (i.e. you have arrived after 7pm), please press the doorbell. However, if you feel this has not been heard, please call Mark Honeybell of Flint Bishop on 07733 402664 and he will come down and let you in.
Why is the Foundation Stage so important?
Understand the characteristics of high quality provision. Unpick expectations and consider how to track the progress of our youngest pupils.
This covers competency area 2 – Accountability
Date: TBA
Facilitator: Chris Merrick
Venue: Flint Bishop Boardroom, St Michael’s Court, Derby DE1 3HQ
Time: 7pm – 9pm
Cost: £55 for a partner school and £80 for a non-partner school.
PLEASE NOTE THERE IS AMPLE FREE PARKING ON SITE AT THE VENUE. Park in the Flint Bishop Car Park. At the top of the of the Car Park is Reception, it’s the second door from the left. If the door is closed (i.e. you have arrived after 7pm), please press the doorbell. However, if you feel this has not been heard, please call Mark Honeybell of Flint Bishop on 07733 402664 and he will come down and let you in.
Preparing Governors for an Ofsted Inspection
What will Ofsted be looking for in outstanding governance? What are the key elements needed to ensure you play your part in achieving a successful outcome?
This covers all 5 competency areas
Date: TBA
Facilitator: TBA
Venue: Derby Conference Centre, London Road, Derby DE24 8UX
Time: 7pm – 9pm
Cost: £55 for a partner school and £80 for a non-partner school.
Overseeing the Financial Performance of the School
Discharging this core function and looking at the implications of flat budgets. You’re your school have the financial expertise to cope in these very challenging times ahead?
This covers competency area 2 – Accountability
Date: TBA
Facilitator: Sandra Fletcher
Venue: Flint Bishop Boardroom, St Michael’s Court, Derby DE1 3HQ
Time: 7pm – 9pm
Cost: £55 for a partner school and £80 for a non-partner school.
PLEASE NOTE THERE IS AMPLE FREE PARKING ON SITE AT THE VENUE. Park in the Flint Bishop Car Park. At the top of the of the Car Park is Reception, it’s the second door from the left. If the door is closed (i.e. you have arrived after 7pm), please press the doorbell. However, if you feel this has not been heard, please call Mark Honeybell of Flint Bishop on 07733 402664 and he will come down and let you in.
Making your Ethos, Culture and Values Visible
Can you articulate what your ethos, culture and values are?
Do they drive the work of the board?
Are British Values embedded and how do you as a governor know this?
What will Ofsted be looking for in your school?
This covers competency area 5 – Compliance
Date: TBA
Facilitator: Chris Merrick
Venue: Derby Conference Centre, London Road, Derby DE24 8UX
Time: 7pm – 9pm
Cost: £55 for a partner school and £80 for a non-partner school.
Skills of Chairing – practical tips for aspiring Chairs of Governors and Chairs of Committee
An opportunity to consider the skills needed to chair an effective meeting and the essential components of a good meeting.
This covers competency area 3 – People
Date: TBA
Facilitator: Chris Merrick
Venue: Derby Conference Centre, London Road, Derby DE24 8UX
Time: 6pm – 9pm
Cost: £70 for a partner school and £100 for a non-partner school.
Pupil Premium – The governor role
An opportunity to understand how this funding can be spent. The need to be fully aware of its impact on the performance of this group of pupils in the school.
The need to evaluate spending and be well prepared for conversations with Ofsted.
This covers competency area 2 and 5
Date: TBA
Facilitator: Sandra Fletcher
Venue: Derby Conference Centre, London Road, Derby DE24 8UX
Time: 7pm – 9pm
Cost: £55 for a partner school and £80 for a non-partner school.
Looked after children – The governor role
How to approach this responsibility, the importance of assessment needs and appropriate support and provision for this very vulnerable group.
This covers competency area 5 – Compliance
Date: TBA
Facilitator: Sandra Fletcher
Venue: Flint Bishop Boardroom, St Michael’s Court, Derby DE1 3HQ
Time: 7pm – 9pm
Cost: £55 for a partner school and £80 for a non-partner school.
PLEASE NOTE THERE IS AMPLE FREE PARKING ON SITE AT THE VENUE. Park in the Flint Bishop Car Park. At the top of the of the Car Park is Reception, it’s the second door from the left. If the door is closed (i.e. you have arrived after 7pm), please press the doorbell. However, if you feel this has not been heard, please call Mark Honeybell of Flint Bishop on 07733 402664 and he will come down and let you in.
Managing Complaints – panels and disciplinaries
They may not happen often but when they do managing these processes well requires a confident knowledgeable approach.
This covers competency area 3 – People
Date: 28 January 2019
Facilitator: Flint Bishop
Venue: Flint Bishop Boardroom, St Michael’s Court, Derby DE1 3HQ
Time: 7pm – 9pm
Cost: £55 for a partner school and £80 for a non-partner school.
PLEASE NOTE THERE IS AMPLE FREE PARKING ON SITE AT THE VENUE. Park in the Flint Bishop Car Park. At the top of the of the Car Park is Reception, it’s the second door from the left. If the door is closed (i.e. you have arrived after 7pm), please press the doorbell. However, if you feel this has not been heard, please call Mark Honeybell of Flint Bishop on 07733 402664 and he will come down and let you in.
Challenging Questions and Courageous Conversations in the interests of young people
Two of the NGA’s components of strong governance. How well are these embedded in your governing body practice?
This covers competency area 2 – Accountability
Date: 11 March 2019
Facilitator: Chris Merrick
Venue: Flint Bishop Boardroom, St Michael’s Court, Derby DE1 3HQ
Time: 7pm – 9pm
Cost: £55 for a partner school and £80 for a non-partner school.
PLEASE NOTE THERE IS AMPLE FREE PARKING ON SITE AT THE VENUE. Park in the Flint Bishop Car Park. At the top of the of the Car Park is Reception, it’s the second door from the left. If the door is closed (i.e. you have arrived after 7pm), please press the doorbell. However, if you feel this has not been heard, please call Mark Honeybell of Flint Bishop on 07733 402664 and he will come down and let you in.
Developing Effective Links with Parents and Carers
A strong link with parents and carers, involving them in their child’s education is a very important aspect of school life and yet one not always easily achieved. This course looks at how the governors can play a part here.
This covers competency area 1 – Strategic Leadership
Date: 2 April 2019
Facilitator: Sandra Fletcher
Venue: Derby Conference Centre, London Road, Derby DE24 8UX
Time: 9am – 3pm
Cost: £55 for a partner school and £80 for a non-partner school.