Effective+Governance

=CHAIRS’ FORUM = =Summary of: = =School Governance - Learning From the Best* = **CHAIRS’ FORUM ** **Summary of: School Governance - Learning From the Best* ** **//Date of summary: May 2011 // ** **<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">Introduction ** <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">The aim of this report is “to help all governing bodies become excellent by showcasing <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">examples of highly effective governance…..[it] looks at the principles and practices that <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">contribute to outstanding governance in 14 schools…” <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">The reports states that governance was judged as good or outstanding in 56% of schools in <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">2009-10 noting: “Governors are most effective when they are fully involved in the school’s <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">self-evaluation and use the knowledge gained to challenge the school, understand its <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">strengths and weaknesses and contribute to shaping its strategic direction.” <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">**<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">Key characteristics of effective governing bodies ** <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">The report identifies 15 key characteristics of effective governance: <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">1. Positive relationships between governors and school leaders are based on trust, <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">openness and transparency. Effective governing bodies systematically monitor their <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">school’s progress towards meeting agreed development targets. Information about what <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">is going well and why, and what is not going well and why, is shared. Governors <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">consistently ask for more information, explanation or clarification. This makes a strong <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">contribution to robust planning for improvement. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">2. Governors are well informed and knowledgeable because they are given high quality, <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">accurate information that is concise and focused on pupil achievement. This information is <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">made accessible by being presented in a wide variety of formats, including charts and <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">graphs. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">3. Governors are able to take and support hard decisions in the interests of pupils: to back <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">the head teacher when they need to change staff, or to change the headteacher when <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">absolutely necessary. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">4. Outstanding governance supports honest, insightful self-evaluation by the school, <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">recognising problems and supporting the steps needed to address them. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">5. Absolute clarity about the different roles and responsibilities of the headteacher and <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">governors underpins the most effective governance. Protocols, specific duties and terms <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">of reference are made explicit in written documents. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">6. Effective governing bodies are driven by a core of key governors such as the chair and <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">chairs of committees. They see themselves as part of a team and build strong <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">relationships with the headteacher, senior leaders and other governors. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">7. Governors routinely attend lessons to gather information about the school at work. Clear <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">protocols for visits ensure that the purpose is understood by school staff and governors <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">alike. Alongside the information they are given about the school, these protocols help <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">them to make informed decisions, ask searching questions and provide meaningful <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">support. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">8. School leaders and governors behave with integrity and are mutually supportive. School <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">leaders recognise that governors provide them with a different perspective which <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">contributes to strengthening leadership. The questions they ask challenge assumptions <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">and support effective decision-making. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">9. Governors use the skills they bring, and the information they have about the school, to <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">ask challenging questions, which are focused on improvement, and hold leaders to  <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">account for pupils’ outcomes. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">10. Time is used efficiently by governors because there are clear procedures for delegating <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">tasks, for example to well organised committees. These committees have clear terms of <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">reference, provide high levels of challenge and use governors’ expertise to best effect. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">Systems are in place for sharing information and reporting back to the full governing body. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">This does not merely reiterate what has already been discussed in detail by the <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">committee but focuses on the key points and decisions. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">11. The role of the clerk to the governors is pivotal to ensuring that statutory duties are met, <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">meetings are well organised and governors receive the information they need in good <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">time. Consequently, governors come to meetings well prepared and with pertinent <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">questions ready so that they are able to provide constructive challenge. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">12. A detailed timeline of activities, maintained by the clerk and linked to the school <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">development plan, provides a clear structure for the work of governors and ensures that <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">their time is used appropriately. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">13. Governors use their external networks and professional contacts to fill any identified gaps <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">in the collective skills of the governing body. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">14. There are clear induction procedures for new governors which help them to understand <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">their roles and responsibilities and ensure that best use is made of their varied skills and <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">expertise. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">15. The governing bodies constantly reflect on their own effectiveness and readily make <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">changes to improve. They consider their own training needs, as well as how they organise <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">their work. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">**<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">Making a difference ** <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">The Report concludes that these effective governing bodies strengthen school leadership by: <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">1. Providing an external view and asking questions which challenged school leaders, <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">encouraged alternative solutions to be found or tested proposals before they were <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">adopted. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">2. Having high aspirations for pupils, staff and the wider community. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">3. Approving and monitoring priorities, ensuring policies were focused on the key priorities <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">of teaching and learning, and increasing the pace of improvement. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">4. Supporting the development of leadership potential within the school through effective <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">training and development opportunities. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">5. Using their skills, expertise and external networks to complement those of the school <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">leadership team in improving provision and outcomes for pupils. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">6. Supporting the appointment and retention of the best staff and actions to address <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">underperformance. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">--- <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">**<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">*//<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">School Governance – Learning From The Best, // **<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">Ofsted ref**<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">. **no. 100238. You can <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">download the Report at: <span style="background-color: transparent; color: blue; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/Ofsted-home/Publications-andresearch/ <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: blue; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px; line-height: 115%; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">Browse-all-by/Documents-by-type/Thematic-reports/School-governance =<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"> = =<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;"> =