As school leaders with a statutory responsibility to ensure excellent educational provision for all children, it is critical that governor training is relevant, targeted and aligned with up-to-date policy and guidance. We promote the East Sussex Governor and Clerking Service whose Governor Development Programme is aimed at developing the skills of both new and existing governors and clerks. The programme consists of three stages:
Essential:
These sessions cover fundamental matters that each governor is expected to understand, and which allow them to fulfil their statutory obligations and key functions.
Accomplished:
These sessions build on the fundamental knowledge gained in the ‘Essential’ sessions. They cover more specialised areas of governance and allow governors to take on more challenging link governor roles.
Highly Successful:
These sessions develop the knowledge and skills expected primarily of those in the position of Chair, Vice-Chair or committee Chair.
Moving through the journey of Essential, Accomplished and Highly Skilled stages of the programme will enable those charged with responsibility for governance to gain crucial knowledge, skills and expertise and add significant value to the educational establishments that they serve. This development programme combines both East Sussex Governor and Clerking Service bespoke training and National Governance Association’s online training, provided through their Learning Link.
The aims of the whole development programme are to:
• Ensure governors are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to fulfil their responsibilities
• Provide a comprehensive and structured approach to governor induction and ongoing development
• Ensure clerks are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to provide high quality support for governance of their educational establishment
• Help governing bodies develop the necessary skills and behaviours so that they operate effectively, providing the necessary oversight and support and challenge to senior leaders