Ofsted has published a new report on the state of school governance, called Improving
governance: Governance arrangements in complex and challenging circumstances.
The report draws on responses to Ofsted’s public call for evidence last autumn, 96 routine inspections or monitoring visits, and dedicated visits made by inspectors to 24 schools which had recently improved standards. The report outlines the barriers faced by governors in these schools and the actions taken to strengthen their professions skills to fulfil their roles.
The report identifies “three critical factors that made improvements possible” in schools where weak governance had improved rapidly:
1) the schools became aware of the weaknesses in their governance arrangements;
2) professional knowledge, understanding and insight was developed within the governing board;
3) clarity about governors’ roles, responsibilities and lines of accountability was established.
The report also identifies a number of common issues where governance was not effective:
- many governors lack the expertise to hold school leaders to account
- governors need better access to educational expertise and professional clerking
- recruitment and retention of governors is a challenge in many areas
- clarity about lines of accountability, role and responsibilities is an essential part of effective governance
- weak governance is at risk of going undetected until inspection
- paying chairs of governing boards can act as a means to create a more professional partnership between the board and school leadership team
- commitment to and knowledge of the school’s local community is essential to governance.
Haringey’s Governance services can offer you support and training to ensure that you are operating effectively. In addition please contact us if you would like to commission an external review of governance.