Being Rated as Outstanding for Governance: A workshop for the

Cornwall Governor Network Conference

Bob Damerell

bdamerell@cornwall.gov.uk

The Pre inspection Test

You have 30 seconds in which to answer each question.

1. Give one action point from your school’s last inspection.

2. Give one priority from your current School Development Plan.

3. Give one strength of the school as shown in performance data and recorded in your school self

evaluation.

The Pre inspection Test cont.

4. Are teacher’s performance objectives linked to school priorities? How do you know?

5. Name one group of pupils causing concern.

6. What is being done to promote ‘Parent View’?

7. How is Pupil Premium money being spent?

The Pre inspection Test cont.

8. When did you last make a visit to the school with an agreed focus and talk to staff and/or pupils?

9. Apart from today have you engaged in governor training in the last 6 months? Give details.

10. Can your governing body prove that you provide challenge to the headteacher? How?

Why put you through this?

‘And there is another area where I need to drive reform faster – governance. …

Ofsted, in their new inspection framework, will now be asking searching questions on governance – including assessing how well governors hold the head and senior leaders to account.’

Michael Gove July 2012

Why put you through this?

1. Inspectors ask to meet with as many governors as possible to test their knowledge and understanding.

2. There are some things about the school that all governors should know.

3. Being prepared means you can approach inspection with confidence.

Core Functions of the Governing Body from 2013

• Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction;

• Holding the head teacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and the performance management of staff;

• Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.

• Governors’ handbook Jan 2015

Core Responsibilities of the Governing Body 1998 - 2013

To help schools provide the best possibleeducation for their pupils by:-• Thinking and working strategically to

help raise standards.• Monitoring and evaluating progress

towards the school’s priorities and targets.

• Supporting the Head teacher and staff as well as challenging their expectations.

• Accounting to all stakeholders for the school’s overall performance and for the decisions they have made.

From National College Chair of Governor Training 2012

What Ofsted inspectors do

• Data analysis• Validation of self-

evaluation• Ask pupils, parents,

teachers, governors – triangulation

• Lesson observation• Comparison• Work sampling• Discussion between

inspectors

What governors can do

• Data analysis• Self-evaluation• Ask pupils, parents,

teachers = governors triangulation

• Visit school and classrooms

• Comparison• Discussion between

governors and staff

What You Need to ‘Evidence’

‘While governing bodies may decide to establish a committee to look in detail at performance data,

all governors should be able to engage fully with discussions

about the performance of their school.’

Governors’ handbook Jan 2015

What You Need to ‘Evidence’

‘schools and academies … should also publish an annual statement setting out the key issues that have been faced and addressed by the governing body over the last year, including an assessment of the impact of the governing body on the school.’

Governors’ handbook 2015

What You Need to ‘Evidence’

‘Governors carry out their own monitoring and use this to evaluate how well all aspects are doing. They clearly understand how well pupils are progressing, making it their business to quiz the school about any concerns, should they arise.’Comment from inspection report chosen by senior

HMI (His use of bold)