fe staff governors conference

FE Staff Governors Conference

Characteristics of effective governance

Vivien Shipley HMI

3 December 2009

Staff Governors Conference December 2009

Objectives of the session

Present four key characteristics of effective governance and link these to the articles of government.

Set these in the context of the new CIF for further education and skills 2009.

Discuss how inspectors might look for evidence of these characteristics pre- and during inspection.


FE and Skills Handbook September 2009Leadership and management

How effectively do governors and supervisory bodies provide leadership, direction and challenge?

To make their judgements, inspectors will evaluate the extent to which:

governors and supervisory bodies set the mission and strategic direction of the provider

governors and supervisory bodies establish effective structures to monitor all aspects of the provider’s performance

governors and supervisory bodies ensure that their statutory duties – where applicable – are fulfilled.


FE and Skills Handbook September 2009

Capacity to improve

governors or the appropriate supervisory body fulfil their duties and ask challenging questions to raise or maintain high standards and secure positive learner experiences and outcomes.



Limiting grades

Safeguarding and, equality and diversity

Where a judgement of inadequate is awarded for either of the two safeguarding judgements/equality and diversity it is most unlikely that the overall effectiveness of the provider will be better than satisfactory. It is likely that the overall judgement will be inadequate.

Where a judgement of satisfactory is awarded either of the two safeguarding judgements/equality and diversity it is most unlikely that the overall effectiveness of the provider will be better than good.


Articles of government- key roles

Determining the educational character and mission

Governing body membership

Role in appointing the principal and other senior post-holders

Oversight of the college’s activities



Strong emphasis on setting a clear strategic purpose and direction.

Governors have appropriate experience, skills and personal qualities.

Relationships between governors and senior managers are effective.

Unrelenting focus on achieving the highest standards.


Clear strategic purpose and direction

Regularly reviewed in relation to the communities the college serves.

Appropriate mission and values.

Clear aims and objectives.

Focus on excellence and inclusion.

Staff and stakeholders understand their roles and responsibilities.


Governors’ skills and personal qualities.

Broad range to underpin the strategic direction.

Shared values and ethos.

Commitment to training.

High aspirations and expectations

The importance of the clerks role is understood.


Relationships with senior managers

Appoint effective senior postholders.

The respective roles and responsibilities of the chair and principal are clear.

Developing the capacity and skills of managers at all levels is a priority.

Governors have the skills to challenge senior and other managers.

Governors are well-informed.


Achieving the highest standards

Model of governance ensures that all are involved in monitoring the quality of the learners’ experience.

Clarity of purpose for all meetings.

How success will be measured is clear.

Governors have an accurate understanding of the college’s strengths and areas for improvement.


Gathering evidencePre- and during inspection

College web site, PIB, data, SAR, LSC briefing

Read documentation

Strategic and development plans Minutes of board and key committee meetings and

accompanying papers.

Meetings

The clerk The chair Chairs of key committees and other governors Liaise with the NPFA


During inspection- evidence from documents

Are the mission and values of the college inclusive and relevant?

Do strategic and operational plans respond to local and national priorities and the need to improve?

What arrangements do governors have for monitoring the achievement of strategic objectives?

Are there robust plans in place to sustain high standards or to improve where necessary?

Board papers

Why, What, Recommendations, Follow-up.


During inspection- meetings

How have governors, staff and key stakeholders been involved in developing the mission and strategic plan?

How are governors selected and are they representative?

Are there effective arrangements to ensure that governors have the skills to be able to challenge senior managers?

Do governors have an accurate understanding of the strengths of the college and are they clear about what action is taking place to secure improvement?

What arrangements are there for consulting with and using the views of learners and key stakeholders?



Grading governance

Grade now published at the back of the report.

Illustrative grade characteristics

Leadership and management

Capacity to improve

Staff Governors Conference


Vivien Shipley HMI

3 December 2009

fe staff governors conference

Documents

skills handbook

skills of managers

title of presentationfe

supervisory bodies

title of presentationarticles

strategic direction

effective structures

appropriate supervisory