Start of the year - lots to do

After a break over the summer, Governing Chatters is back. In the first episode of the autumn term, Emma Knights, Sam Henson and Steve Edmonds discuss the big issues facing you this term.

They discuss plans for school returns, covid recovery and recap on the Ofsted framework for inspection. Alongside this, they explore the role of skills audits, look ahead to the rest of the autumn term’s events and releases. 

To access the resources we discussed in the show:

Skills Audit is available here: www.nga.org.uk/skills-audit

Model Code of conduct is available here: https://www.nga.org.uk/codeofconduct

Ofsted webinar is available here: www.nga.org.uk/webinars

Making pupil mental wellbeing a priority

In this month’s podcast, Emma Knights, Steve Edmonds and Emma Balchin looked at pupil wellbeing, what do we mean by it and what does the current data tell us. What are the key elements for building a whole school culture that supports pupils and engages them directly?  

We also explored the importance of induction and CPD in supporting new and experienced governors to make an impact and deliver the best education for their pupils.   

If you want to watch the webinar on Pupil well-being, you can see it on NGA’s webinars page, www.nga.org.uk/webinars

Members can download the information sheet on pupil mental wellbeing here.

Schools and their communities

Following the launch of NGA's latest report, MATs Moving Forward, we look at the key issues of the report and how they apply across all schools. 

The role of clerks and other governance professionals in developing and maintaining effective working relationships

In our latest episode of Governing Chatters we have a fascinating discussion with four outstanding clerks who give us their insight on how you manage relationships, foster a culture of challenge and enable effective governance remotely.

Ethical Leadership and how it works

In this episode we are delighted to be joined by some of the key figures involved in the development of the Ethical Leadership framework and the Pathfinder project.

We’ll be talking to them about how they have used the pathfinder project in their school(s) and the impact the work has had.

Farewell to 2020

Christmas is a time for reflection, today we are going to look back on what we have learnt from the seminars, reflect on where we are with Covid and the impact on the sector. We are also going to look at what we have learnt from such a strange year and with a sense of optimism(?) look ahead to what 2021 might contain.  

Thanks to Pixabay (https://pixabay.com/) and DL Sounds (https://www.dl-sounds.com) for the tracks used on this recording. 

Annual Conference, Seminars and the autumn term so far

Join us as we discuss the latest on how schools operate through the autumn term and deal with the challenges of the pandemic. 

We also look ahead to our annual conference seminar series which will look at the Governing Board's role in: 

• Closing the disadvantage gap for pupils
• Promoting diversity & equality in senior leadership
• The well-being and retention of senior leadership 
• The future outlook for school improvement and accountabilit

Leading during Covid

Schools are open and children in the main are returning to school thanks to the efforts of senior leaders, staff and governors. It has been a remarkable effort to get everything ready.  

That effort can come at a cost and today we want to focus on leadership, the headline findings from our latest annual governance survey on leadership as well as the recruitment, well-being, appraisal and development of leaders.

New academic year - Ready to go?

As we start a new academic year, schools returning fully for the first time since lockdown, we look at some of things NGA has been up to during August. 

Emma Knights, Sam Henson and Emma Balchin look at the Annual Governance Survey, Skills Audits and Board reflection as well as the implications of the student grade decisions made during August. 

Time to reflect?

Well, that has been a busy summer term, it has been testament to the strength of boards and senior leadership along with their staff that we have come through the lockdown the way we have.

August is a chance for us all to take stock of where we are,  look ahead to the new academic year and look at the big strategic issues we face..