governors welcome pack
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Governor ServicesEssex Education Services
Welcome fromGovernor Services
Welcome as a school governor and thank you for your valuable contribution to education in Essex.
We are ambitious for our children and young people and believe that all should have the opportunity to go to a good or outstanding school. We recognise that governors’ responsibilities are far ranging and are committed to supporting you with the professional development and guidance you need to make a real impact on school improvement. The guidelines set out on these cards are intended to provide key information to support you in carrying out your new role.
I hope you will enjoy the challenge and find it a rewarding experience. If you have a question about governance or need support please get in touch. We’re here to help.
033301 39833
Welcome fromEssex Education Services
Governor Services is part of Essex Education Services (EES) which is working with schools nationally to improve educational outcomes.
Together we recognise that specialist support and dedicated tools can help you realise your ambitions.
Our services can make the difference and help you to lead your school on a pathway of progress by improving learning, developing staff, making best use of resources, creating and using data, understanding the changing Government agenda and always being well-prepared for what lies ahead.
Our aim is to deliver best value and high quality services that are responsive to the needs of schools, and we have a national reputation for excellence in delivering advice, support and training.
We identify great practice and help you draw on each other’s strengths; to develop great ideas and enable you to make them happen.
For further information please visit www.EESportal.org or call 0845 200 8600
Welcome fromEssex Education Services
Our customer base continues to grow, working with over 3,000 schools across the UK and in 15 countries overseas providing an ethical, reliable and professional service, which is informed by the latest academic research into school system effectiveness.
Our range of fully integrated school effectiveness services includes:
Clerking Agency
Education Consultancy
Education HR
Education Finance Support
Governor Services
Professional Development
School Library Service
Target Tracker
For further information please visitwww.essex.gov.uk/ees or contact our dedicatedCustomer Services Team at www.EESportal.orgor call 0845 200 8600.
Welcome from ESGA
As a new governor in Essex you are automatically a member of the Essex School Governors’ Association (ESGA) through your governing body. ESGA is a member of the National Governors’ Association (NGA).
Through us, and through NGA, you have a wealth of information and support. There is an ESGA website www.esga.org.uk and you are represented, through ESGA, on many of the consultation groups of the Local Authority.
Do not feel isolated or alone - there are lots of members ready and willing to help and support you.
Ruth Bird (Chair)[email protected]
Information about your school
Key items you should expect to receive as a new governor from your school:
• list of governors with contact details and any specific responsibilities they may have;
• minutes of the last Full Governing Body meeting;
• the headteacher’s most recent report to the governing body;
• timetable of governing body meetings;
• the School Development Plan;
• the school prospectus (or details on where to access this information online);
• link to latest Ofsted Inspection Report and School Data Dashboard;
• dates of terms and holidays.
A copy of the Instrument of Government, setting out the composition of your governing body, is enclosed with this pack (maintained schools only).
Checklist:
•HaveIreceivedallthisinformation?
•WouldIlikea‘buddy’tosupportme?
(speak to my training link governor or chair)
Developingyour skills
Make sure you have received a copy of the professional learning development programme for governors and clerks.
When you first become a governor, it can be difficult to know where to start.
Induction is essential to help you understand your role and begin to make a positive difference to your governing body. The workshops are run across Essex and tutors do their best to make them simple, straighforward and fun.
Overview of...Once you have completed your induction course, there are a series of introduction programmes that you can attend. You will even gain a Certificate of School Governance Studies if you complete all these courses and induction within two years, and we can publish your achievement in our governors’ newsletter Gateways.
Developing your skills
Keen to learn more?
Most schools pay an annual subscription, which means that you can attend as many courses and conferences as you like, at no extra cost to your school, as well as a development session just for yourgoverningbody.Inaddition,‘hottopics’willbedelivered locally and publicised through your training link governor.
Take a few minutes to look at the range of courses available in the programme - note that some courses are available as online training (GEL).
Booking onto a course is easy.
•Pleasevisit www.EEScpdportal.org and register as a new user to view and book courses.Phone 033301 39834 or email [email protected]
•RegisterforGELatwww.elc-gel.org
Checklist:
•Whoismytraininglinkgovernor?
•BookmyplaceonInduction!
•Needhelpwithbookingordecidingwhichcourseisbestforyou?cpd@essex.gov.uk
Keeping up to date
Gateways
This termly newsletter for Essex governors and clerks is made up of short articles on items of current or local interest, each signposting the reader to further information.
Website
Our internet site for governors and clerks contains lots of useful information and links to other useful websites.
Just go to www.EESportal.org and select Governor Services
Governors’ Updates
These termly meetings for clerks and governors are a great opportunity to be briefed on the latest good practice and national or local initiatives and network with other governors in your area. The two hour sessions take place in venues around the county. See the website for information on the latest dates and how to book - everyone welcome.
Keeping up to date
e-bulletins
If you wish to receive a monthly electronic alert, keeping you up to date with a range of information, just make sure you let us have your email address: [email protected]
Tel: 033301 39833
Essex Schools Infolink
Updates and bulletins for schools, including Education Essex, a weekly LA news round up.
https://schools-secure.essex.gov.uk
To login to the secure areas, ask your headteacher for the password.
Checklist:
•HaveIseenthelatesteditionofGateways?
•WouldIliketoreceivethee-bulletin?
•Visitthegovernorwebsite
Key things every newgovernor should know
What does a governor do?
Key roles of governors
Ofsted’s criteria for effective governance are:
• setting strategic direction
• creating robust accountability
• ensuring best use of financial resources
The Induction Programme for new governors will focus on these key roles and give you lots of ideas about how you can quickly contribute.
The expectation of individual governors is that they will:
• focus on raising standards to help every child achieve their potential;
• respect the professional expertise of the headteacher and staff;
• set high expectations and ask challenging questions;
PTO
Key things every newgovernor should know
The expectation of individual governors is that they will:
•gettoknowtheschoolandbecomeinvolvedinschool life and activities;
• takepersonalresponsibilityfortheirongoingtrainingand development;
•prepareformeetingssothattheyarewellinformed;attend meetings and play an active part;
•supporttheschoolwithparentsandinthecommunityand use social networking sites responsibly;
•workinpartnershipwiththeheadteacherandstafffor the benefit of the school and its pupils;
• recognisethecorporatestatusofthegoverningbodyand the concept of the collective responsibility;
• respectconfidentialityandtheneedtoactwithcircumspection;
•actandtakedecisionsthatareinthebestinterestsofthe school and not those of self, individuals or groups.
Checklist:•HaveIsignedtheCodeofConductformygoverningbody?
•HowcanIarrangeavisittotheschool?
What is… HelpChildren Achieve More
Raising achievment is at the heart of a governor’s strategic role. In order to ensure that every child has the chance to fulfil their full potential, schools are workingtowardsthe‘5outcomes’whichare:
• beinghealthy: enjoying good physical and mental health and living a healthy lifestyle;
• stayingsafe: being protected from harm and neglect;
• enjoyingandachieving:getting the most out of life and developing the skills for adulthood;
• makingapositivecontribution: being involved with the community and society and not engaging in anti-social or offending behaviour;
• economicwell-being:not being prevented by economic disadvantage from achieving full potential of life.
You will see these five outcomes in everything you do at school - including your School Development Plan (SDP).
Checklist:
•Whatismyschooldoingtohelpchildrenachievemore?(formerly‘EveryChildMatters’)
•Howdothegoverningbodypromotethewellbeingofpupils?
What is… The SchoolDevelopment Plan (SDP)
The SDP (sometimes called the School Improvement Plan or SIP) is a strategic working document for use by the school, covering the main areas your school is going to develop over the next one to four years.
The action plan will be based on the school’s analysis of how well it is doing, and it’s assessment of how current trends and future factors may impact on the school, and will set out how it is going to meet the priorities and targets for improvements.
The SDP should be an integral part of governing body meetings, since governors have a key role in monitoring progress.
Checklist:
•HaveIgotacopyofmyschool’slatestSDP?
•Whatdoesmyschooldowell,andwherearewetryingtoimprove?
•Whataretheschool’svalues?AretheyreflectedintheSDP?
•Howdogovernorsmonitorprogress?
What is…School Data
Data is important. It can help you know your school better, and support and drive school improvement. A range of data is available to help governors set high expectations and ask challenging questions, including:
External SourcesFischer Family Trust (FFT) - This is an independent organisation whose data is used in a variety of ways by schools. www.fft.org.uk
RAISEonline - provided by Ofsted, giving detailed analysis of achievement by pupil, group, and comparators nationally and to similar schools. All governors are entitled to access the RAISEonline summary report for their school – ask your headteacher.
School Data Dashboard – provided by Ofsted, this is a snapshot of school performance at Key Stages 1, 2 and 4.
Checklist:
•HaveIseenthelatestSchoolDataDashboardformyschool?http://www.ofsted.gov.uk
•Howwellarewedoing?Howcanwebebetter?
What is…School Data
Internal Sources
Target Tracker - Many schools in Essex use this software to show pupils’ progress, predict future attainment and set targets.
Other internal assessment data - this will include data on pupil or staff attendance, pupil or parent questionnaire responses, data on exclusions.
Checklist:
Confused?Don’tpanic!Youcanfindoutmoreabout school data by attending the two hour school assessmentdatacourse.Visitwww.EEScpdportal.org
Key Abbreviationsand Acronyms
A AfA Achievement for All
AfL Assessment for Learning
AoA Articles of Association (Academies)
APP Assessing Pupil’s Progress
APS Average Points Score
AST Advanced Skills Teacher
B BAP Behaviour and Attendance Partnership
BME Black or Minority Ethic
C CiC Children in Care
CLA Children Looked After
CPD Continuing Professional Development
CSS Children’s Support Service (new name for PRUs)
D DBS Disclosure and Barring Service
DDA Disability Discrimination Act
DfE Department for Education
E EAL English as additional language
EBacc English Baccalaureate
EBD Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties
Key Abbreviationsand Acronyms
E ECC Essex County Council
EES Essex Education Services
EFA Education Funding Agency
EMTAS Ethnic Minority and Traveller Achievement Service
EPHA Essex Primary Headteachers’ Association
ESGA Essex School Governors’ Association
EWO Education Welfare Officer
EYFS Early Years Foundation Stage
F FGB Full Governing Body
FSM Free School Meals
FTE Full Time Equivalent
FFT Fischer Family Trust
G G&T Gifted and Talented
GAG General Annual Grant (Academies)
GEL Governors e-Learning
GCSE General Certificate of Secondary Education
GSET Governance Self Evaluation Tracker
GTP Graduate Teacher Programme
Key Abbreviationsand Acronyms
H HI Hearing Impaired
HLTA Higher Level Teaching Assistant
HMI Her Majesty’s Inspector of Schools
HR Human Resources
HT Head Teacher
I iGSCE International General Certificate of Secondary Education
IEP Individual Education Plan
IiP Investors in People
INSET In Service Educational Training
ISA Independent Safeguarding Authority
ISR Individual School Range
ICT Information and Communication Technologies
ITT Initial Teacher Training
J JAR Joint Area Review
K KS1,2 Key Stage 1,2
L LA Local Authority
LAA Local Area Agreement
L LAC Looked After Children
Key Abbreviationsand Acronyms
LACSEG Local Authority Central Spend Equivalent Grant
LDD Learning Difficulties and Disabilities
LLE Local Leader of Education
LMS Local Management of Schools
LMSS Local Management of Special Schools
LSA Learning Support Assistant
M MDA Mid Day Assistant
MFL Modern Foreign Languages
MLE Managed Learning Environment
MLD Moderate Learning Difficulties
MPG Main Professional Grade
N NAHT National Association of Head Teachers
NASUWT National Association of Schoolmasters/ Union of Women Teachers
NC National Curriculum
NCA National Challenge Adviser
NEET Not in Education, Employment or Training
NGA National Governors’ Association
N NLE National Leader of Education
Key Abbreviationsand Acronyms
NLG National Leader of Governance
NOR Numbers on Roll
NPQH National Professional Qualification for Headship
NQT Newly Qualified Teacher
NtG Narrowing the Gap
NUT National Union of Teachers
NVQ NationalVocationalQualifications
O Ofqual Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation
OT Occupational Therapy
P PAN Published Admissions Number
PI Performance Indicator
PMR Performance Management Review
PPA Planning, Preparation and Assessment
PRU Pupil Referral Unit
PSA Parent Support Adviser
PSHE Personal, Social, Health and Economic education
P PT Part Time
Key Abbreviationsand Acronyms
PTA Parent Teacher Association
Q QA Quality Assurance
QTS Qualified Teacher Status
R RAISE Reporting and Analysis for Improvement through School Self-Evaluation
RAP Raising Attainment Plan
RoG Review of Governance
RPA Raising the Participation Age
S SATs Standard Assessment Tests
SCC Schools Causing Concern
SCITT School - Centred Initial Teacher Training
SCR Single Central Record
SDP School Development Plan
SEAL Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning
SEC Standards and Excellence Commissioner
SEN Special Educational Needs
SENCO Special Educational Needs Coordinator
SEND Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
SFVS SchoolsFinancialValueStandard
S SIC Statement of Internal Control
Key Abbreviationsand Acronyms
SIP School Improvement Plan
SLA Service Level Agreement
SLD Severe Learning Difficulties
SLT Senior Leadership Team
SMSC Spiritual, Moral, Social, Cultural
SRE Sex and Relationships Education
T TA Teaching Assistant
TPCD Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document
U URN Unique Reference Number
V VA ValueAdded
VA VoluntaryAided
VC VoluntaryControlled
VI VisuallyImpaired
VLE VirtualLearningEnvironment
W WBL Work Based Learning
Y YP Young People
Useful Contacts
Quality Governance - here to support you:
Governor Services is part of EES, the newly integrated support service for schools bringing key professional services together.
The team supports governors, schools and clerks with information, advice and guidance on all aspects of school governance, including:
- statutory responsibilities
- governor recruitment
- good practice, policies and procedures
- support for chairs and training link governors
- Essex Clerking Agency
- changing the constitution of the governing body.
Tel: 033301 39833
Web: www.EESportal.org and select Governor Services
Essex Education Services (EES)Tel: 0845 200 8600Email: [email protected]: www.EESportal.org
Useful Contacts
Department for Education (DfE)
Information, news and current consultations from the Department for Education
Web: www.gov/uk/government/organisation/department-for-education
Essex Clerks’ Association (ECA)
News items and briefing papers for clerks
Web: www.essexclerks.org.uk
Essex School Governors’ Association (ESGA)
Information and support for Essex governors
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.esga.org.uk
Essex Schools Infolink
Information, advice and guidance from the Local Authority Schools Service to support you in your strategic, monitoring and accountability roles.
Ask your headteacher for the school’s password to access the secure areas.
Web: https://schools-secure.essex.gov.uk
Useful Contacts
Governors e-Learning (GEL)
Effective and accessible governor training online, enabling governors of subscribing schools/Academies to access a broad range of modules at their own pace and convenience.
Web: www.elc-gel.org
Governor Self Evaluation Tracker (GSET)
Web based governing body self improvement tool produced in partnership with the Target Tracker team.
Web: www.targettracker.org/software/gset.php
Tel: 0845 200 8600 option 3
Governor Resource Collection
A limited range of training resources can be borrowed by subscribing schools to support governors intheir role.
To borrow resources:
Tel: 033301 39833
Email: [email protected]
Useful Contacts
Governor and Clerk Professional Development
Part of Essex Education Services, delivering a wide range of courses, workshops and conferences.For information and advice
Tel: 033301 39834
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.EEScpdportal.org
National Governors’ Association (NGA)
Represents school governors in England, including lobbying ministers and policy makers.
Web: www.nga.org.uk
Ofsted
Matters relating to inspection of schools and Ofsted inspection reports.
Web: www.ofsted.gov.uk
This pack is issued byGovernor Services, Essex Education Services
You can contact us in the following ways:
By web:www.EESportal.org and select Governor Services
By email:[email protected]
By telephone:033301 39833
By post:Governor Services, Essex Education Services, 1st Floor A Block, County Hall, Market Road, Chelmsford, CM1 1QH
Theinformationcontainedinthisleafletcanbe translated, and/or made available in alternative formats, on request.
Published July 2014 CD
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