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An Introduction to Governance: Day Conference (All 09:30-03:00pm)

Objective:

Target Audience: New Governors

Session Outline

The day conference will enable new governors to become more familiar with the roles and responsibilities of the governing body and the working of the school. New governors should become more confident in participating as a school governor and become more effective in supporting school improvement. We strongly recommend that all new governors attend. There is no charge for this course.

Planning for Improvement - Strategic Role (Times Vary)

Objective:

Target Audience: Primarily new governors, but would be of value to experienced governors wishing to refresh & develop their skills.

Session Outline

This session gives governors the opportunity to learn about the importance of school planning and their role in the process of developing the strategic framework. This is done by involving governors in establishing the framework for the school and development planning while focusing on the key issue of raising standards. Times of sessions vary. (12-2pm sessions include a light lunch beforehand)

Support, Challenge & Accountability - Critical Friend/Being Accountable (Times Vary)

Objective:

Target Audience: Primarily new governors, but would be of value to experienced governors wishing to refresh & develop their skills.

Session Outline

This session gives governors the opportunity to develop their role as critical friend, checking on the progress of the school and supporting school improvement. The session will also explore the ways in which the governing body keeps the broader community informed of the school's progress and development. Times of sessions vary. (12-2pm sessions include a light lunch beforehand)

Promoting the Role of Link Governors (All 7-9pm)

Objective:

Target Audience: Suitable for both new and experienced link governors

Session Outline

To clarify the role of the link governor and help them be more effective by sharing good practice in encouraging, motivating and developing their fellow governors. We will also provide details of new initiatives and training opportunities.

The Role of the Clerk: Essential Skills and Tasks (All 9.30-12:30pm, light lunch included)

Objective:

Target Audience: Suited to new clerks but may be useful to experienced clerks who have not received training.

Session Outline

These half-day sessions are specifically for new clerks and will be following some of the materials from the nationally developed Clerks' Training Programme. Topics will include governing body organisation, categories of governors, administrative duties, agenda setting, meetings and minutes.

The Role of the Clerk: As an Adviser (All 9.30-12:30pm, light lunch included)

Objective:

Target Audience: Suitable for both new and experienced clerks.

Session Outline

To inform clerks to governing bodies of the latest changes and developments in governance, legislation and updated documentation relevant to governance, will be introduced for dissemination to the governing body.

Spring Workshop (All 6-8pm)

Objective:

Target Audience: All governors (clerks welcome)

Session Outline

The aim of the session is to help governors plan their work in the coming year, and focus on issues of current concern. The session also provides the opportunity for networking.

Working Together: Heads and Chairs (All 6-8pm)

Objective:

Target audience: intended for headteachers and chairs of governors to attend as a school partnership.

Session Outline

This session will explore how headteachers and chairs of governors can develop and extend their work together as a successful school leadership team.

Chairing Skills - Managing Meetings (All 7-9pm)

Objective:

Target Audience: Would be of benefit to both new and experienced chairs of governors, vice chairs and committee chairs as well as those considering a position as chair.

Session Outline

The session aims to enable governing body, committee chairs and vice chairs to be more effective in meetings. We will examine the ways in which the meetings and work of both full governing bodies and committees can be made more efficient. This will involve agenda planning, chairing meetings effectively, the importance of minutes and delegating tasks.

Chairing Skills - Strategic Leadership (All 7-9pm)

Objective:

Target Audience: Would be of benefit to both new and experienced chairs of governors, vice chairs and committee chairs as well as those considering a position as chair.

Session Outline

The session aims to enable governing body and committee chairs and vice chairs to take a more active role in school improvement. We will examine the ways in which chairs can contribute to the strategic leadership of the school by developing a shared vision for the school and contributing to planning and monitoring.

Curriculum Responsibilities (All 7-9pm)

Objective:

Target Audience: Any governor, but of particular relevance to those on Curriculum Committees

Session Outline

To enable governors gain greater insight into curriculum issues and look at the governing body's responsibilities for the curriculum and the role of the curriculum governor.

The Appointment of Staff (All 7-9pm)

Objective:

Target Audience: Any governor, but of particular relevance to those on Staffing Committees

Session Outline

The session will examine governors' responsibilities with regard to the appointment of staff.

Governors and Employment Responsibilities (All 7-9pm)

Objective:

Target Audience: Any governor, but of particular relevance to those on Staffing Committees

Session Outline

This second staffing session will examine general staffing responsibilities such as discipline, grievance and an overview of other governor responsibilities with regard to staffing.

Autumn Workshop (All 6-8pm)

Objective:

Target Audience: All governors (clerks welcome)

Session Outline

• Help governors plan their work in the coming year
• Focus on issues of current concern
• Provide opportunities for networking

Health and Safety (All 7-9pm)

Objective:

Target audience: governors with responsibility for Health & Safety

Session Outline

The aim of this session is to assist governors in understanding the basics of health and safety and to provide them with the knowledge they need to ensure that their school is managed in accordance with legal requirements and health and safety practice.'

Promoting Good Governance Conference (9:30-3pm)

Objective:

Target Audience: Any governor (clerks welcome)

Session Outline

Our annual conference has now been widened to include all governors although it is hoped that link governors in particular will attend. The theme will be 'Promoting Good Governance'. Full details of speakers and workshops will be circulated nearer the time.

Safer Recruitment - The Legal Requirements -
Education Welfare (All 9:30am-3:00pm)

Objective:

Target Audience: governors with the responsibility of appointing staff (those completing this course will receive the same accreditation in Safer Recruitment as those completing the online training provided by NCSL)

Session Outline

The Bichard Inquiry tabled specific recommendations for schools and education directorates to minimise the risk of a recurrence of errors in vetting of staff and recruitment and selection that contributed to the sad deaths of two children.

The aims of the course are to:

• Give governors an awareness and understanding of offender behaviour
• Identify the key features of staff recruitment that help deter or prevent the appointment of unsuitable people
• Consider policies and practices that minimise opportunities for abuse or ensure its prompt reporting
• Help participants begin to review their own and their organisations' policies and practices with a view to making them safer

Looked After Children (All 7-9pm)

Objective:

Target Audience: all governors but in particular the designated governor for Looked After Children

Session Outline

The aim of the session is to increase governors' knowledge and understanding of:

• The emotional and developmental issues that impact on learning
• The role of the Designated Teacher
• How we can raise academic attainment

School Finance: General Issues - Education Finance
(All 7-9pm)

Objective:

Target Audience: All governors but especially those on Finance Committees

Session Outline

The sessions aim to examine governors' role and responsibilities for finance. Those attending should gain a greater insight into financial planning and in particular with setting a three-year budget. We will look at how to set the budget in line with the school's priorities and best value, as well as responsibilities and methods for monitoring the budget.

The Role of the Nominated Governor in Safeguarding Children in Education - Education Welfare
(All 9:30-3pm)

Objective:

Target Audience: Nominated Governor for Safeguarding Children

Session Outline

The purpose of the session is to provide Nominated Governors with a knowledge and understanding of the requirements of section 175 of the Education Act 2002 and to equip them with the tools to develop policies in their schools that safeguard and promote the welfare of children and comply with government guidance and the agreed practices of the Local Safeguarding Children Board.

Exclusions (All 6-8pm)

Objective:

Target Audience: of particular interest to governors on discipline committees

Session Outline

This course is designed to equip governors to ensure that exclusion is used appropriately and that the right balance is maintained between the interests of the individual pupil and the whole-school community, so that few cases of exclusion are then subject to Independent Appeal or legal challenge by parents.