Governors
School governors have a wide range of responsibilities. They help to raise the standards of pupil achievement and plan the school's future direction. Governors are also accountable for the performance of the school to parents and the wider community.
GovernorNet
GovernorNet is the DCSF's site dedicated to
governors. It provides advice to governors and those working with them on all
aspects of school governance, including law, training, good practice,
responsibilities and FAQs. It is not necessary to register on the site to gain
full access, but registration provides access to the discussion board and the
opportunity to personalise certain areas.
Consultations and publications
GovernorNet highlights recent relevant consultations relevant to school governance as well as a
range of publications that may be useful to governors, for example guidance
documents on key issues. There are also further links to websites containing
relevant information.
- A Guide to the Law for School Governors is available on GovernorNet.
- Improving school performance: A guide for school governors was published in 2006.
Planning for the year ahead
GovernorNet contains an electronic year planner tool which allows users to manage their
school governance tasks online. When online, users can access a calendar,
informing them of upcoming events and conferences as well as their own personal
scheduled tasks.
Discussions
The site also contains a useful and easy-to-use discussion board. It allows governors to share information
and experiences with others as well as ask questions and seek advice from
others. It is possible to leave messages but also to take part in live
discussions. TeacherNet also provides governor-related case studies and advice on examples of good practice.
School Governors' One-Stop Shop
The School Governors' One-Stop Shop
(SGOSS) was launched in 1999 with the aim of helping schools
recruit governors with transferable skills. It identifies people with business
and management skills who are interested in serving as school governors.
Governing the school of the future
This document celebrates the achievements and contributions of
governing bodies. It also looks at what the Department's Five-year Strategy
for Children and Learners means for school governors and how governors can take
advantage of the new opportunities it offers. In Governing the school of the future Derek Twigg
calls for businesses to encourage staff to take up governor posts.
See GovernorNet's article for further information.
Taking the chair
This skills-based training programme is the first of two training
programmes which together form the National Development Project for Chairs of
Governing Bodies and Headteachers. Taking the chair, a flexible 5-module, practical and
problem-solving programme aims to explore the skills required to lead and
manage the work of a school governing body. It is targeted at prospective
and new chairs and vice-chairs of governing bodies and committees.
Leading together
Leading together is the second
programme of the National Development Project for Chairs of
Governing Bodies and Headteachers. It is a school-based development
programme designed to explore and improve the team-work of the governing body,
the head teacher and the school-leadership team to better achieve a
school-improvement priority. The programme consists of three facilitated
meetings in the school spread over a period of about nine months.
Teachers' TV
Teachers' TV has a dedicated section of its site dedicated
to governors. It contains information of the
wide range of Teachers' TV programmes and resources aimed at
school governors and managers.
Page last updated 2 July 2007
