East Midlands Workshop: Effective Governors/Gov.Bodies

Paul Mason

GOVERNORS

SCHOOLCOMMUNITY

LOCAL AUTHORITY DfES / GOEM

SHAPING the FUTURE

SCHOOLS CAN:

• Deal with change

• Deal with resources

• Have implemented National Agreements

• Continually seek new ways of doing things

• Continually ask, “What value does this add to pupil learning?”

“The future is not some place we are going to, but one we are

creating. The paths are not to be found, but made. The activity of making them changes both the

maker and the destination”

John Schaar

DIRECTIONS and DILEMMAS

Directions:

• Self-managing Schools

• School improvement

• Personalisation of learning

• ICT

• Access

• Every Child Matters

Dilemmas:• Local Management – Central Direction• Market Place – Strategic Planning• Competition – Collaboration• Fragmentation – Coherence• Consultation – Leadership• What’s best for My School – What’s best

for Wider Community

RELATIONSHIPS

“The High-Trust Local Authority”

• Open Fair

• Accessible Responsive

• Listening Transparent

• Consistent Involving

SCHOOL “A”

Rural Primary School – Pro-active Governing Body

Key Words: Effective Teaching : Community Needs : Pre / Post School

Focus: Governors; School improvement : Staffing; After-School / Nursery

ACTION:

• Audit of Staffing / Accommodation / Finance• Temporary Classrooms• After-care (Alongside extra-curric. activities)• Business Plan• Consultation with Parish / LEA / EMDA etc.• Management Group• Funding : Implementation.• OUTCOMES : THE FUTURE

SCHOOL “P”

Medium size Secondary School – “Failing”; Socio-econ. Deprivation

Key Words: Governing Body – LEA: Community : Recruit / Retain

Focus: School; Community; Governance Structure; Parents

ACTION:

• Gov. Body evaluation ---- Action Plan• Clear Vision of Strategic Direction for Gov. Body

to support School• Identification of appropriate knowledge / skills

required• Focus on Parent Governors• Explore community business interests to recruit• Develop partnership with H.E. College to support

specialist status• OUTCOMES : THE FUTURE

SCHOOL “B”

• Medium size Secondary School – Area of Soc. Deprivation

• Key Words: Challenge : Empowerment : The INCLUSIVE School

• Focus: Environment : Needs; Barriers; One-Team; Expectations

ACTION:

• Salamanca Statement 1994 UNESCO• Leadership and Governor roles• Attitudes Analysis• Disability -- Medical / Social models• School Access Plan - Physical environment• Empowerment planning • Access to Curriculum Plan• One - Team concept ; review of roles• Parents : Finance• OUTCOMES : THE FUTURE.