Effective Governance: Greater Accountability for Raising School Standards: Is Your Governing Body Prepared for the Challenge?

Joan Binder is a member of the FASNA Executive Board and leads the continuing expansion of FASNA professional development programmes for governors, Headteachers and senior leaders. Joan has represented the interests of autonomous schools to many other organisations including NEOST (National Employers Organisation for School Teachers), National College and teaching unions and has participated in a wide range of DfE consultation and strategy groups focusing on employer and governance issues. In 2007 Joan won the East of England Governor of the Year award and is currently Chair of Governors of a large 11 - 18 secondary converter academy in Essex and chair of governors of a local 300+ pupil community primary school consulting on academy status.

Foreword Introduction Key responsibilities for school governing bodies Section 1 - Strategic direction and vision 1.1 Vision and values of the school 1.2 Key characteristics of the school eg intake, challenges, how the school compares with other similar schools 1.3 Short and medium term priorities eg key challenges and link to school self-evaluation and development plan cycle 1.4 Any future known issues eg changing roll, decision to expand as a popular school or impact of government policies 1.5 Important responsibilities and understanding of the governing body role relating to committee structure and additional freedoms 1.6 Pay and appointments process for the Headteacher 1.7 The key responsibilities of the Chair of Governors relating to strategic direction and review Case Study: Roy Blackwell, Westminster City School, London Section 2 - Improvement and progression, support and challenge 2.1 Headteacher reports focus on key Ofsted criteria linked to school priorities 2.2 How is student performance tracked and monitored? 2.3 There is a clearly articulated role for governors in challenging and supporting the school 2.4 How might governors support and help to strengthen school leadership? 2.5 Principles of curriculum provision and organisation - link with vision 2.6 Relevant Ofsted framework 2.7 Governance self-evaluation 2.8 The key responsibilities of the Chair of Governors relating to improvement and progression Case Study One: Simon Burton, Dulwich Hamlet Junior School, London Case Study Two: Margaret Aust, Humphrey Perkins School, Leicestershire Case Study Three: Steve Barker, Collingwood College, Surrey Section 3 - Accountability 3.1 General Elements 3.1.1 Governance arrangements 3.1.2 Statutory committees and appeal panels 3.1.3 Safeguarding pupils and staff 3.1.4 Communication with pupils, parents, staff and the community 3.1.5 The key responsibilities of the Chair of Governors Case Study: Hayley Trowbridge, Plume School, Maldon 3.2 Curriculum 3.2.1 Curriculum elements 3.2.2 The key responsibilities of the Chair of Governors in relation to the curriculum Case Study: Richard Barnard, Robinswood Primary, Gloucester 3.3 Employer 3.3.1 The role of the governing body as the employer 3.3.2 The key responsibilities of the Chair of Governors in relation to employment Case Study: Brian Whitfield and Debbie Clinton, Nunthorpe Academy, Middlesbrough 3.4 Finance 3.4.1 Finance element 3.4.2 Budget 3.4.3 Audit arrangements 3.4.4 Insurances and contracts 3.4.5 The key responsibilities of the Chair of Governors in relation to finance Case Study One: Jayne Harrison and Arthur Goldstraw, Violet Way Academy, Staffordshire Case Study Two: David Wilson, Christ the King Catholic Voluntary Academy, Nottinghamshire Case Study Three: Chris Thornton, Maldon Primary School, Essex Case Study Four: Diana McLeod, Maltings Academy, Witham, Essex 3.5 Premises 3.5.1 Premises elements 3.5.2 The key responsibilities of the Chair of Governors for premises Case Study: Kevin Eveleigh, Barnby Road Primary Academy, Newark, Nottinghamshire Section 4 - Performance management of the Headteacher 4.1 Performance management process and practice 4.2 The key responsibilities of the Chair of Governors in relation to the performance management of the Headteacher Case Study One: Laurence Upton, school governor and HR professional Case Study Two: Mike Griffiths, Samworth Church Academy, Mansfield Section 5 - Appointment of a new Headteacher 5.1 Headteacher appointment considerations 5.2 The key responsibilities of the Chair of Governors in relation to the appointment of a new Headteacher Case Study: Stuart Warrener, Midsomer Norton Schools Partnership, Avon Section 6 - An overview of academy governance for schools considering conversion 6.1 Basic facts about the role and responsibilities of governors 6.2 Key facts about the academy governing body 6.3 Key facts about governance arrangements in Multi Academy Trust Models 6.4 Potential new responsibilities for academy governors 6.5 Financial responsibility 6.6 HR responsibility 6.7 Land and building responsibility 6.8 The key responsibilities of the Chair of Governors relating to academy governance Case Study: Jane Aukett, Tollbar Academy/Cleethorpes Academy, North East Lincolnshire Section 7 - An overview of the role of the Chair of Governors 7.1 Important skills for the Chair of Governors 7.2 Key responsibilities - important knowledge and information Case Study: Charlie Grant, Southwark Primary School, Nottingham