Education CommitteeWritten evidence submitted by Peterborough Local Authority: Governor Services

Peterborough Governor Services have consulted with their Governor Leadership Group, their Governors’ Forum and have encouraged individual Chairs to respond.

1. Governing Body Effectiveness

2.1 It is important that all schools have the same level of effective governance. Those weaker governing bodies should be supported through training and intervention.

2.2 It is considered that Local Authorities and local governance mentors are best placed to support those schools requiring intervention.

2.3 Governormark and governance skills audits are considered to be an excellent tools to improve governance.

3. Governing Body Accountability

3.1 Governing bodies should remain the accountable body.

3.2 Governors needs to have the confidence to ask questions in order to hold the schools to account and headteacher must facilitate this.

3.3 Working with governing bodies must be part of headteacher’s training and induction.

4. Models of Governance

4.1 It is considered that there needs to be a mix of representation and skills.

4.2 Smaller governing bodies are not seen to be the best way forward.

4.3 The current models of governance from 2012 Legislation are considered to a good way forward giving governing bodies the flexibility of size and scope to bring skills but giving some degree of representation.

5. Governing Body Recruitment and Payment

5.1 Funding should be available to support local governing body recruitment. This used to be provided by Local Authorities but has now disappeared due to funding constraints. SGOSS is too remote.

5.2 Governors should not be paid but discretionary funding should be available locally for mentors and those governors appointed as “additional governors” or those supporting schools in challenging circumstances.

January 2013