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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.

Planning for Spring Workshop (All 6-7:30pm)

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.

Dealing with Complaints (All 7-8:30pm)

Objective:

Target Audience: All governors (clerks also welcome to attend)

Session Outline

The aim of the session is to improve schools' handling of complaints, whatever they are about, and whoever might make them! It will use case studies to explore the issues in complaints' handling; draw on the model procedure offered to schools by the LA; help develop good practice principles.

Governors and Employment Responsibilities (All 7-8:30pm)

Objective:

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

Session Outline

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

Planning for Autumn Workshop (All 6-7:30pm)

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

Understanding Data (All 7-9pm)

Objective:

Target audience: All governors

Session Outline

These sessions are aimed to help governors use data to evaluate school performance.

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.

The Role of the SEN Governor (All 7-9pm)

Objective:

Target Audience: Governors with responsibility for Special Educational Needs.

Session Outline

These sessions are aimed at governors who have recently taken up responsibility for special needs and will cover the implementation and working of the SEN Code of Practice.

Good Governance: Fulfilling Accountabilities (All 7-8:30pm)

Objective:

Target Audience: all governors

Session Outline

With so much legislation governing what schools should be doing, how does your governing body know that it is meeting its key accountabilities? Using the GST publication, Key Monitoring Indicators for Governing Bodies, this session aims to guide you through the main strategic checks that you should carry out to be reassured that yours is a well run school.

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.

Staff Governors
(All 4:30-6pm)

Objective:

Target Audience: Staff Governors

Session Outline

The aim of the session is to clarify the role staff governors' play by supporting the effectiveness of the governing body through their knowledge of the school. Members of teaching and support staff, who are also governors, have to wear two hats which can sometimes cause conflict and confusion both inside and outside governing body meetings. The session will demonstrate how you can provide a vital communication link between governors, other staff, parents and pupils.

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.