The National Governors’ Association (NGA) today launches its Framework for Governance.
The NGA announced plans for the guidance at its annual conference in November last year, and was reported by Schools Week at the time.
The framework has been developed with the medical research charity, Wellcome Trust, and was piloted in 21 primary, secondary and special schools from autumn 2012.
At the November conference, NGA chief executive Emma Knights said the framework would be made up of three elements and would help to fill a gap in the guidance currently available.
The first element, on governing principles, includes 20 questions that governors could use in self-evaluation, the second gives guidance on setting the school strategy, while the third offers advice on how progress in implementing that strategy could be monitored.
The NGA said the guide is flexible and can be used by any school, regardless of phase, type or governance structure.
Lord Nash said: “Governing boards are crucial to the success of our schools. Setting strategic direction is one of their core functions, but recent research shows that many find this challenging.
“The Framework for Governance developed by the Wellcome Trust and the National Governors’ Association provides a powerful tool for helping boards formulate an ambitious strategy and monitor progress against it.
“Using the Framework will help boards maximise their effectiveness, and secure the best possible education for their pupils. Well informed, sector-led, guidance like this is exactly the sort of support governing bodies need.”
The guide can be downloaded from the NGA website.
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