The training programme is enhanced by tailored support (often known as ‘in-school sessions’ because we come to your school to deliver!) These are aimed at individual governing bodies and will be delivered by a GDO who has negotiated with you, the input you require. The most common sessions offered are:
- reviewing governing body operations such as committee working or the conduct of meetings
- workshops on how to develop a strategic vision
- helping governors to take on roles in self-evaluation and school improvement activities
Whatever your needs, we will try to meet them. Get in touch with your GDO to arrange a tailored session for your school.
To book an in-school session or for further advice, please contact your Governor Development Officer and we will do our best to arrange appropriate support for your governing body. Tailored Support and Consultancy Sessions are additional to the core programme and cost £90 per hour, for those schools that have bought into the service level agreement. The cost is £110 per hour for non-subscribing schools. Schools normally gain maximum benefit from a 2-hour session.
Support for School Clusters
Schools are increasingly looking to work together and if you collaborate with others to define your collective needs, we’ll provide the support to match at a reduced rate.
Governing Body Self Review (GBSR)
We also offer a self-review consultancy which will allow governing bodies to identify strengths and areas for development. The GBSR provides the basis for a governing body development plan, which can be further supported through the training programme or additional tailored support.
The Self Review will reflect back to the governing body, its own perceptions of:
- Its knowledge of its statutory obligations;
- How well it fulfils its responsibilities;
- Its development and training needs;
- Its overall performance
- Its capacity to ensure high standards are achieved within the school.
Process
The GBSR is usually introduced to the whole governing body, so that all members understand the purpose of the self review, and where it fits within the context of school improvement. Dates are agreed at this meeting for the whole of the process. Each governor is given a copy of a questionnaire to complete anonymously which should take no more than an hour and can be taken away to complete.
The governor development officer will analyse the responses and collate them into a data report. The report will also contain recommendations for the governing body to consider. It does not contain any evaluative judgements by the GDO. The report is presented by the GDO at a meeting of the whole governing body. This can be at a regular meeting or one specially arranged for this purpose. The date of this meeting is usually no later than one month after the date agreed for the return of the questionnaires.
The governing body should consider the report and its recommendations and produce an Action Plan to address its needs.
The charge for this is £180 (£220 for non-subscribing schools), which is the equivalent of two hours in-school provision although generally the whole process from introduction to collation, report writing and feedback can take several hours.