Governor meetings and courses are led by Derby and Derbyshire Governance Partnership (DGP).
What is a Governor?
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
The governor meetings and courses we hold enable governors to fulfill their role. For course enquiries or general questions, please email booking@dtsa.org.uk or phone 01332 706806.
Further Support for Governors and Governing Bodies
Click on the links below for more information:
Due to venue cancellation policy all governor meetings and courses need to be viable 3 weeks beforehand. To avoid your course being cancelled please ensure that you book well in advance. If you can see the course on this page then it is not in a cancelled state.
Governor Meetings and Courses
Governance Improvement Partnership (GIP) 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
NGA Update
A chance to be updated every term by DGP and senior NGA personnel on issues of the day facing governors and clerks. A friendly interactive session where you can have your questions addressed – far more than just information giving.
General Governance Courses
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
Spring Term 2021
Module 1: Wednesday 3 March 2021
Module 2: Wednesday 10 March 2021
Module 3: Wednesday 17 March 2021
Facilitator: Sandra Fletcher
Venue: Zoom
Time: 7pm – 9pm
Cost: £270
Competency Area 2 – Accountability
SCHOOL PERFORMANCE: Gathering First Hand Monitoring Evidence
Gain a greater understanding of the purpose of governor visits, how the evidence you gather support monitoring of the school development plan and strategic vision.
Competency Area 3 – People
CHAIRING: 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.
Date to be confirmed. To register your interest please email booking@dtsa.org.uk
Venue: Zoom
Time: 7pm – 9pm
Cost: £50
Competency Area 5 – Compliance
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 Areas 2 and 5
SEND: The Role of the SEND Governor
SEND is the responsibility of ALL governors, not just the designated governor. How does your governing body discharge the responsibility? Understand the principles of inclusion and how to champion the needs of SEND children in your school.
DfE Funded Courses
NGA Leading Governance Programme for Chairs
DGP is working with the NGA to deliver the National Training Programme for Chairs of Governors and Aspiring Chairs (also appropriate for vice chairs and chairs of committees). This programme has been developed by the National College for Teaching and Leadership / DfE to develop leadership skills with school improvement as a key theme. It has been designed to help you focus on the essential elements of being an effective chair. Please see www.leadinggovernance.org for more details.
Cost: £399
There are DfE scholarships available. Please see the NGA website or contact the office to discuss your immediate requirements at booking@dtsa.org.uk.
NGA Leading Governance Programme for Clerks
Level 3 Certificate in Clerking of School and Governing Boards
This accredited NGA Leading Governance Development for Clerks school and trust settings. It helps develop the knowledge and skills needed for high-quality clerking.
This programme offers a blend of flexible learning over approximately a nine month period. Led by experienced facilitators, participants will attend workshops and access effective one-to-one mentoring throughout the duration of this programme. Learning will be both group-led and independent.
Cost: £350
Some DfE funding is available and the programme will cost £75 if you are eligible.
Please see the NGA website or contact the office to discuss your immediate requirements at booking@dtsa.org.uk.