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National Governors’ Association
March 2013 Bulletin Board
© 2013 National Governors’ Association, 36 Great Charles Street, Birmingham, B3 3JY
Tel: 0121 237 3780 Fax: 0121 233 1323 Email: [email protected] www.nga.org.uk
1
The National Governors’ Association is an independent charity representing state school
governors from both local authority maintained schools and academies. This monthly NGA
bulletin board is distributed to local governor associations and co-ordinators of governor
services who are members of the NGA so that they can keep governing bodies up-to-date on
our work, the changes and developments in governance, and active government consultations.
So, please help to keep others informed by sharing and distributing this widely. If you are not a
member of NGA and have found this bulletin useful, this is only a fraction of the information
NGA produces for governors; please consider joining us: see section G.
If you have any comments on this bulletin or suggestions for future editions, please contact
Contents: A. Cover story
B. Education News
C. NGA News
D. Dates for Your Diary
E. DfE consultations
F. NGA Partners
G. NGA membership benefits
A. Ofsted School Data Dashboard released On Wednesday 27 February 2013, Sir Michael Wilshaw, HMCI Ofsted, launched a new
School Data Dashboard designed to support governors to hold their schools to account. The
dashboard will provide a snapshot of more than 20,000 mainstream primary and secondary
schools performance at Key Stage 1, 2 and 4. The most significant change is that the
dashboard compares each school with similar local schools, not just national data. Sir
Michael said “The School Data Dashboard I am launching today raises the stakes. Many
governors know their school well already. But for those that don’t, there are now no excuses.
Inspectors will be very critical of governing bodies who, despite the dashboard, still don’t
know their school well enough.” He also called for some governors to be paid, better trained,
and for more professional governors drawn from both the public and private sectors.
Emma Knights, Chief Executive responded to the speech by saying “The National
Governors’ Association welcomes the publication of Ofsted’s data dashboard as all
governing bodies need to understand their school. However most of this information is
already available to governors in a different format; most governing bodies will be using
more detailed data to monitor, evaluate and challenge school leaders and have
sophisticated conversations about how to tackle the problems identified by the data.”
There is no evidence to suggest that paying governors would improve governance. All
surveys show a significant majority of existing governors do not support remuneration; and
question the motivation of those who would only govern for payment. In 2011 just under
28% of respondents to our June survey supported remuneration for governors and in 2012
this had fallen further to 25%. NGA is of the view that one can perform a role professionally
and in a business-like fashion without being paid. Governors are a significant part of the ‘Big
Society’.
If you haven’t yet viewed your school’s dashboard, we encourage you to view it here.
© 2013 National Governors’ Association, 36 Great Charles Street, Birmingham, B3 3JY
Tel: 0121 237 3780 Fax: 0121 233 1323 Email: [email protected] www.nga.org.uk
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B. Education News
1. GCSE Reform latest
The NGA welcomes the Secretary of State’s announcement that he will not be introducing
English Baccalaureate Certificates (EBCs) as replacements for some GCSEs. In a
statement to the House of Commons on 7 February the Secretary of State said that, having
taken account of the consultation responses and particularly of Ofqual’s concerns, he had
accepted that some of his proposals were ‘a bridge too far’. He has also rowed back on
plans to introduce a single exam board per subject. In making his statement the Secretary of
State said “My idea that we end the competition between exam boards to offer GCSEs in
core academic qualifications and have just one – wholly new – exam in each subject was
just one reform too many at this time.”
The Secretary of State was clear that this did not mean the end of GCSE reforms and he will
press forward with plans to move to assessments at the end of course (in most cases) and
introduce revised GCSEs in English, maths, the sciences, history, and geography from 2015.
English and history will be tested via extended writing, and maths and science will have ‘a
greater emphasis on quantitative problem-solving’. It is proposed that all students will sit one
paper, rather than foundation and higher level papers. The Secretary of State’s view is that
the current ‘tiered’ system places a ‘cap on achievement’ – although he did go on to say that
there may be a need for ‘extension papers’ to offer access to higher grades.
There is still much work to be done in relation to GCSE reform and the NGA looks forward to
taking part in those discussions.
Statement Transcript
Ofqual's open letter
2. House of Commons Education Select Committee evidence
On Wednesday 27 February the Education Select Committee announced that they will take
further oral evidence from the Rt Hon Michael Gove MP, Secretary of State for Education,
and from Chris Wormald, Permanent Secretary at the Department for Education. This will
take place on Wednesday 13 March.
On Wednesday 30 January the House of Commons Education Select Committee had its first
oral evidence session into the role of school governing bodies. The committee asked
questions on a variety of topics including: the importance of the chair of governors,
succession planning, the role of Ofsted and different models of governance. Emma Knights,
the chief executive of NGA, gave evidence and explained NGA’s position on the questions
raised, including that NGA believes that there should be mandatory training for
governors and that every governing body should have a properly trained clerk. The Select
Committee also heard from other governors, head teachers, researchers and Ofsted. On the
majority of issues the witnesses were in agreement.
Education Select Committee evidence video
© 2013 National Governors’ Association, 36 Great Charles Street, Birmingham, B3 3JY
Tel: 0121 237 3780 Fax: 0121 233 1323 Email: [email protected] www.nga.org.uk
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3. Pupil premium spending
Ofsted has released a second report into how effectively schools spend pupil premium to
maximise achievement. Its initial report was critical of school spending of the premium, but
Ofsted itself was criticised for assessing impact before it was realistic for impact to be
shown.
Inspectors visited a range of primary and secondary schools to identify best practice and
found that several characteristics were common among schools spending the pupil premium
effectively. These include: ring-fencing the funding, analysing which eligible students were
underachieving and why, basing interventions on research evidence and using achievement
data to monitor the impact of interventions. The active involvement of governors was another
factor, with best practice seen where governors were fully involved in monitoring and
evaluating the impact of pupil premium spending.
NGA members can read the full story here.
4. Review of funding arrangements
On Tuesday 12 February, the Department for Education (DfE) published the Review of
2013-14 School Funding Arrangements. The document outlines some of the concerns
schools, schools forums and local authorities have already raised about the formula changes
and the DfE is now seeking wider views. The NGA will be responding to the review and
would like to hear from any members with views on the formula revisions (positive or
negative). We would particularly welcome views from special schools. Please send any
comments or copies of formal responses to the DfE to Gillian Allcroft, NGA Policy Manager.
NGA members can read the full story here.
5. Draft School Governance (Procedures & Allowances) regulations
The Department for Education (DfE) has consulted on draft Procedures and Allowances
Regulations, that would replace the current Terms of Reference, Procedures and
Allowances Regulations for local authority (LA) maintained schools. The draft Regulations
will allow governing body meetings to be conducted electronically and remove much of the
Terms of Reference Regulations. The draft Regulations also require the governing body to
take advice from the clerk. Subject to the parliamentary process, the regulations should be in
place for September. If members have questions about the draft Regulations they can
contact Philip Wood.
© 2013 National Governors’ Association, 36 Great Charles Street, Birmingham, B3 3JY
Tel: 0121 237 3780 Fax: 0121 233 1323 Email: [email protected] www.nga.org.uk
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C. NGA News
1. NGA Poll
The results of the last poll are in:
Do you think chairs should be elected from within the
governing body, or should governing bodies be allowed to
advertise the position and appoint an external candidate?:
67% Elected (395)
25% Both (150)
7% Appointed (42)
0% Don’t know (2)
Following Sir Michael Wilshaw’s comments on paying
governors, please take the time to vote in our new poll:
Do you think that governors should be paid?
Yes No In some cases Don’t know
2. FREE RAISEonline workshops for governors
Understanding RAISEonline data is a necessity for governance to make a difference to the
school and the children that go to it. The Leading Governance Group, led by the Eastern
Leadership Centre and National Governors’ Association, is delighted to be able to offer a
fully funded National College RAISEonline workshop specifically for governors.
The workshops will provide a real opportunity for governors to build their confidence so that
you feel fully equipped to support and challenge school performance data in Governing Body
meetings with the Headteacher and Senior Leadership Team.
The National College funding budget for this programme is limited and the delivery of the
workshops must take place before the end of March 2013.
The Leading Governance Group’s workshops are across our Partnership’s delivery area; for
a full list click on http://www.leadinggovernance.org/partners.html. Other licensees will be
providing sessions too.
If you are interested in attending one of our pre organised sessions, please register in full
and identify which workshop you would like to attend in the comments box; by clicking on
http://www.leadinggovernance.org/raiseonline.html or alternatively please
email [email protected] and we will see if we can offer workshop training
in a more suitable location.
© 2013 National Governors’ Association, 36 Great Charles Street, Birmingham, B3 3JY
Tel: 0121 237 3780 Fax: 0121 233 1323 Email: [email protected] www.nga.org.uk
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D. Dates for Your Diary
If you would like us to advertise your local event, please email Laura Owen ([email protected]).
1. NGA Regional Meetings
We are now halfway through our NGA regional meetings, which are free for members to
attend. Booking is essential and must be made through the website. The agenda and details
of the venue will be sent to members once they have booked a place.
Region Date Time Location
West Midlands Wednesday 13 March 18.30 – 20.30 Birmingham
East Midlands Tuesday 19 March 11.00 – 15.00 Leicester
East of England Saturday 27 April 10.00 – 12.30 Cambridge
2. NGA Policy Conference
The date of the NGA summer Policy Conference has been confirmed as the 6 July.
Bookings for the event, which will take place in London, are now open, and must be made
online at the address below. The new Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Lord Nash,
will be attending and giving the keynote address. Please note this event is open to NGA
members only.
http://www.nga.org.uk/Events/Policy-Conference-2013.aspx
3. Special Schools Conference – save the date
The NGA is holding a conference for the governors of special schools. The event will take
place on 18 May 2013, and is open to non-members. This conference is free and will be
taking place in Birmingham.
4. National College Workshops: Strong governance for good schools: Heads and
chairs working together
National College and NGA are working together on nine regional workshops for chairs and
heads/principals which will examine how headteachers and chairs can work most effectively
together to improve governance and school performance. Not only are these free, but the
National College will pay for your travel expenses.
We are currently half way through the workshop programme; if your region is not listed
below, the workshop date will have already passed.
Region Date Time Venue
South West 11-Mar 15.00 – 20.00 Thistle Rougemont Hotel, Exeter
West Midlands 20-Mar 15.00 – 20.00 Holiday Inn Birmingham City Centre
Eastern 25-Mar 15.00 – 20.00 Hilton London Stansted Airport
Registration: https://registration.livegroup.co.uk/ncslgov2013/
© 2013 National Governors’ Association, 36 Great Charles Street, Birmingham, B3 3JY
Tel: 0121 237 3780 Fax: 0121 233 1323 Email: [email protected] www.nga.org.uk
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E. DfE & Ofqual Consultations since the last bulletin.
2014 National Curriculum consultation Closing date: Tuesday 16 April 2013
Consultation on the criteria for Early Years educator qualifications
As part of their vision for early years teaching and childcare, the DfE is consulting on the
content of the new Early Years Educator qualification. Closing date: Monday 22 April 2013
NGA is always interested in hearing governors’ views on these and other topics; please
email any comments, or copies of any submission you make to NGA’s policy manager:
F. NGA Partners
1. PTA-UK
PTA-UK has opened the application round for the 2013 Gold
Star Awards. There are four categories of award judged across five geographical areas:
Central England, North England, South England, Northern Ireland, and Wales:
1. PTA Fundraising Achievement
2. Changing the Life of the School
3. Achievement in Parental Involvement
4. Working with your Local Community
The area winners will be awarded £500 for their PTA and proceed to the national finals
where they will have the chance to win an additional £1,000!
PTA-UK is also looking for three new PTAs of the year and a volunteer of the year. The
closing date for nominations is 17.00 on Friday 15 March. To find out more about any of
these awards, see the PTA-UK website.
2. Modern Governor
The NGA are pleased to announce that Modern
Governor has renewed its sponsorship of the NGA.
Modern Governor produces online governor training
modules, and has worked with us to produce an e-
learning module on converting to academy status.
Modern Governor website
© 2013 National Governors’ Association, 36 Great Charles Street, Birmingham, B3 3JY
Tel: 0121 237 3780 Fax: 0121 233 1323 Email: [email protected] www.nga.org.uk
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3. New SGOSS recruitment video
The School Governors’ One-Stop Shop (SGOSS) is an
independent charity dedicated to recruiting volunteers to serve
on school governing bodies across England. They have
launched a new recruitment video called “We’re the people…”
which follows four governors from different workplaces and shows how they use their skills
to support children, education and schools. SGOSS helps match volunteers with schools
that have vacancies. If your school has a vacancy, you should get in touch. Their service is
free and funded by the DfE.
New Video From SGOSS
G. NGA Membership Benefits Governing bodies can join the NGA to receive more benefits. Every governor will gain
access to the members’ only area of the website, and receive the weekly newsletter.
Members also receive generous discounts off our publications.
‘Welcome to Governance’ is currently the most popular induction resource for new governors
in England. It has recently been updated and contains guidance for both maintained school
and academy governors. It is available to non-members for £10, but members can purchase
it at the discounted price of £5.50.
‘The Chair’s Handbook’ is a comprehensive guide for newly elected chairs. It is available to
non-members for £10, but members can purchase it at the discounted price of £6.50.
GOLD governing body membership: £250 ensures in addition that every governor
receives NGA’s magazine Governing Matters, free induction guides, additional event places,
and is entitled to advice from the NGA, including access to our legal service.
Standard governing body membership: £70 entitles you to five free copies of the bi-
monthly magazine, discounts on publications, and a free place at members’ events as well
as the weekly newsletter and web resources.
Make sure your association is receiving all it benefits. If you have not yet given us the
names, home addresses and email addresses of your executive members, or if these have
changed, please send details to: [email protected].
