This document discusses governance in education and its importance. It begins by defining key terms related to governance, such as decision making, accountability, responsibility, and values. It then discusses the importance of having a shared understanding of governance and seeing evidence of it in schools. The functions of governance are outlined as ensuring vision and strategic direction, oversight of performance, and financial oversight. Challenges that can occur with governance are mentioned. The role of link governors is discussed. Wellbeing is an important part of governance. Tools and ways for getting involved in governance are provided.

1. Governance?
What’s in it for
me?
Yes…You!
Fee Stagg, NLG – WomenEd RL
Unconference Sheffield 05 October 2019

2. The Notices
• I do not own the images to some of the pictures used in this
presentation – eg the animal ones, so please tread with care.
• The presentation is very much a personal take on governance.
• It has been slightly edited since I facilitated it at the WomenEd
unconference - hyperlinks added etc.
• If we start with the why the how will follow; if we start with the how
we may never ask why.

3. If we start with the why the
how will follow; if we start with
the how we may never ask why.
General theme of the presentation

4. Apart from…
We’ll return to this later!

5. What is this governance of which you speak…
And where will I find it?

6. But first some counselling (because we are at a WomenEd Unconference!)

7. There are days…

8. Ending with…

9. Now for the serious bit

10. We can all look at the same
thing and see something
different

11. All words
have meaning
Which is a brave statement to make in front of a
group of teachers…!!

12. These words matter and what do they mean to
you?
DecisionAccountability Responsibility ValuesTrust
Strategic Operational Leadership Ethical Vision

13. More words
Culture Ethical
leadership
Equality

16. TheWhy?
Once you’ve agreed a common
definition for governance (and the
other words) discuss
• Does governance happen
everywhere?
• Where do you see evidence of
governance in your schools?
• Do you think it’s important?
• If you are a leader what is your
understanding of governance?

17. Functions of Governance
1. Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction;
2. Holding executive leaders to account for the educational
performance of the organisation and its pupils, and the
performance management of staff; and
3. Overseeing the financial performance of the organisation and
making sure its money is well spent.
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/u
ploads/attachment_data/file/788234/governance_handbook_2019.pdf

18. When things go wrong

20. What should those
with a responsibility
for governance do?
Role of the Link Governor

21. Evidence
based

22. I see you
@dogpaws23

23. One of Cs of governance is ‘Creative’…

24. Be more
Oi

26. Wellbeing
Governors/Trustees have a responsibility in terms of wellbeing
• Staff, parent and pupil voice
• Receive key data on sickness absence for example – MATs are the
employers.
• Policies esp safeguarding and whistleblowing
• What’s the coaching and mentoring culture of the school?
• All this is underpinned by values – back to the first core function.

27. A very relevant recentTweet

29. Toolkits

31. INSIGHT
What happened?
Why did it happen?
What did you do?
OVERSIGHT
Why did you do it?
FORESIGHT
What will you do
differently next time?
HINDSIGHT
What could you have
done differently?

32. HowYou Can Get Involved – please!
• Become a Staff governor
• Become a Co-opted governor
• Give presentations to governors on your subject area/Deptartment
• Actively seek link governor meetings – ask for feedback
• Read the minutes
• Join a board in another school
• Ask questions!

33. Where to find vacancies
• School websites – contact local schools direct
• Inspiring Governance
• Governors for Schools
• Twitter
• Adverts in local community spaces

34. Why the ducks?
Flamingo of Governance – team work, shared focus, be noticed…
Unicorn of Governance?
Don’t take unicorn out of the equation – let’s look at the unusual and
see what we can learn
What are the outliers – what can we learn from the unusual?
Unicorns exist!

35. Remember
Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever did…