KCC Governors’ Conference
1 May 2014
Tina Gimber
Lorraine Monkhouse
Re-constitution - Consultation
• DFE have consulted on changes to the regulations
and statutory guidance (closed 14 March 2014)
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-government-driveto-improve-standards-of-school-governance
• Part of the national agenda for smaller more skills
based GBs
• Act more like corporate boards and only appoint
people with the skills to help the school succeed
• More professional standard of governance
• Guidance on GBs as strategic leaders setting out
their core functions clearly
Two Year Journey
• By September 2014
• By September 2015
• All ‘appointed’ governors to
be selected for the skills
they bring
• Key skills identified in
statutory guidance
• Skills audits undertaken
prior to recruitment
• Increased expectation for
shared governance across
more than one school –
compare and contrast
• All maintained school
governing bodies to have
reconstituted under 2012
regulations
• Surplus governors
removed on basis of skills
rather than length of
service
• Reconstitution as a tool to
drive GB improvement
Discussion
• How is this going to affect your GB?
• Have you discussed this at a FGB meeting?
• Will your GB use this as an opportunity to remodel
or will they look to just transfer the governors in
post?
Which governors would fit where?
The Governing Body
Area of Governance /
Expertise
Finance
HR
Buildings
Child protection
Curriculum
SEN
CPD / Succession Planning
Governor
Governor
Governor
Governor
Governor
Governor
Chair
GB of 7 in TOTAL
GB of 13 in TOTAL
Recruitment
• When did you last complete a skills audit?
• How do you currently recruit more governors?
• Have you considered the process you use to fill
vacancies?
• Does this currently involve the skills required by the
GB?
• What action do you take if you fail to get the field/ skills
you require?
Appointed / Elected Governors
• What is the difference?
Flexibility, choice, freedom, experience,
engagement, understanding the role
Models of Governance
• What is the structure of your GB?
• When was the last time it was reviewed for
effectiveness?
• Are governors clear about their role and structure?
Recruitment of New Members
Skills
audit
Reconstitution inline
with skills
needs/improvement
plans
Governing body structure
inline with skills available
Address training needs of existing
members/advertise for new ones.
Future development of the Body
LA Support for Changes
• Revised procedures for the appointment of LA
governors
• Revised materials for the election of parent and
staff governors
• Information and guidance for recruitment, skills
audit, reconstitution etc.
• Workshops for clerks
• Greater emphasis on sharing good practice within
local governor meetings
Questions
• Do you have any questions about reconstitution?
• Do you need further clarification of any points?
ACTIONS
• Please talk to you Chair, Vice Chair or Clerk about
the timing to put this on the agenda.
• Ensure your GB is familiar with the consultation
regulations.