As of April 2013, we have 25 engaging, practical and relevant e-learning modules on a range of governance topics.
We’ve also tailored some modules for Welsh Governors to reflect Welsh legislation where it differs from that in England. Click the titles to see more details.
Category: Getting Started
In this module you will learn about who can be a School Governor and what experience is required. It also covers how much time you will need to dedicate to being a Governor and what qualifications you will need.
Frequently asked questions are answered about the duration of service and using your experience as a Governor. You will also learn about the best approach to making Governor school visits and how to deal with concerns within the school. The role of both the Staff Governor and Parent Governor is also covered.
This module gives an overview of what it means to be a School Governor and your responsibilities. It is designed to complement or act as an introduction to a Governor induction course run by your local authority Governing services team. It covers 3 topics: My Role and Responsibilities as a Governor; Governor Meetings and Governors with Specific Responsibilities; and Working with Key Partners.
This module has been designed for new Governors and introduces you to your role and responsibilities and provides access to additional resources for more detailed information.
In this module, you’ll explore the role of the Clerk of a Governing Body. You’ll learn about the function of a Clerk, and you’ll understand what the role entails. You’ll discover why an effective Clerk is considered crucial to the effective running of a Governing Body, and the school it represents. And you’ll find out how your Governing Body can best work with the Clerk to fulfil its responsibilities to the school, its staff and pupils.
This module looks at how you can write good minutes for full Governing Body meetings and committee meetings.
In this module, you’ll explore Church Schools: how they were founded and how they’re run. You’ll take a look at the different types of Church School – Voluntary aided (VA), Voluntary-controlled (VC), Foundation Schools and Academies. You’ll learn about the role of a Governor in a Church School and you’ll discover the behaviours and actions that can help your school become an excellent example of Christian faith and teaching.
This module examines the key skills involved in chairing meetings effectively, including pre-meeting preparation, how to ensure that everyone is heard and ensuring that the meeting’s objectives are achieved. The module gives some ideas about how to handle those who hog the limelight and those who speak amongst themselves.
Category: Developing Your Governing Body
We’re very excited to be the first to offer school governors an interactive way to learn about social media and how their schools can use it to engage with their communities. We outline not just the opportunities but the considerations too, and provide handy template strategies and guidance for governing bodies to download.
This was developed with City of York Governor Services. It has been designed to help governing bodies to evaluate what they do in order to make sure that they meet statutory requirements and that their practices meet the highest possible standards. It is a simple exercise which should be completed by the whole Governing Body working together. There are no “wrong” answers – but the answers you give will help you to focus your energies on what you need to improve. The tool will only work if you question the evidence you have for each answer, and be realistic about your response.
Released on 27th July 2010. Governor Mark is an optional accreditation for School Governing Bodies to assess the effectiveness of Governance in their school. Using case studies, this module aims to inform you of the necessary processes, timescale and involvement required by Governing Bodies to successfully achieve the standard
This module covers the background on the internet, explains how to write effective web content and guides on using the tools of Web 2.0. Five topics are covered in the module: How the Internet was Invented; Writing for the Internet; Design Guidelines for Web Pages; Achieving your Writing Objectives; and Using Web2.0 to Talk and Listen.
Category: Legislation and Policy
Released 2nd August 2010. This module will explain the difficulties which looked after children encounter, the support available, what role School Governors play and suggested actions for Governors.
This module reflects the changes instigated by the introduction of the latest Ofsted framework and supersedes our previous Ofsted course.
It covers how Governors should work with various tools including Schools Self-Evaluation Schedule (SSES) and RAISEonline. It explores how an External Adviser-Consultant/School Improvement Partner (SIP) can support and advise you.
You’ll learn about how and why Ofsted inspect schools, and you’ll explore a fictional case study of an Ofsted inspection to see how a school can respond to an inspection visit.
Discover the benefits of a cohesive community and the school’s central role in ensuring it exists. Find out what the Community Cohesion standards are and your role in putting them into action. The course covers 2 topics: Community Cohesion and Your School; and Community Cohesion in Action.
This gives gives an update on Health and Safety in schools, including external trips. It covers 2 topics: Pupil Health and Safety, and Educational Visits and Slips and Trips.
An overview of school funding and expenditure which covers 2 topics: Overview of School Budgets and Grants; and Fundraising and Expenditure.
This module gives a review of the principles of performance management and an introduction to the recruitment and retention of staff. It covers 3 topics: Staffing Powers and Recruitment Law; Staff Recruitment, Retention and Performance; and The Governor’s Role in Succession Planning and Headship Recruitment.
This e-learning module reviews the difference between Safeguarding and Child Protection. It covers: the policies your school must have in place; ensuring a safe recruitment process; what you should do in a case of suspected abuse or neglect and how to report on or respond to an allegation of abuse.
This module is on safeguarding and child protection for non children’s service workers. In it you will learn how to recognise when a child may be suffering from abuse and what you can do to keep children safe.
Learn about strategies and procedures that will help you appreciate both the legal and practical issues involved in pupil discipline. This module covers 2 topics: Admissions Procedure and Policy; and Discipline and Exclusion Procedure.
After completing this module you will understand what Equality and Diversity means for you, for different social groups, and for schools. It will help you to identify the key legislation and guidelines relating to equality and diversity in schools, help you to think about the best way to implement policies and plans and understand your responsibilities under the law. It will also help you to figure out the best way to handle any Equality and Diversity situations which might arise in your school.
In this module you’ll explore and build on your knowledge of the FOI Act and how it applies to schools. You will learn more about your role and responsibilities as a Governor.
You’ll learn about what your Governing Body needs to put into place to comply with the legislation. You’ll explore what information requests your school may receive and how it should respond. And you’ll discover when your school can refuse a request.
Category: Academies 
In this module you will explore what an Academy is and who is responsible for one. You will look at the basic duties of directors, trustees and members, and how the Academy Governing Bodies are regulated. Key differences in finance, LA control, pay and staffing conditions, national curriculum and term length will be discussed, as will the steps and criteria needed for applying for Academy status.
This module looks at the role and responsibilities of the Trust Body and Governing Body. It is divided into three sections looking at the constitution of academies, governance procedures and staffing issues.
- Constitution of academies looks at the key concepts central to understanding governance of an academy
- Governance procedures and the elements that can make up an effective Governing Body
- Staffing issues and adherence to TUPE
Read more about how we’re working in partnership with the NGA to develop these Academy modules.
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