In this week’s newsletter we bring you the latest education news including funding announcements for SEND provision and new findings on teacher recruitment and retention. Look out for how to book your place on our upcoming events and get your hands on the latest copy of our Governing Matters magazine!

Ofsted: the impact of inspection

In response to the tragic death of headteacher Ruth Perry following an Ofsted inspection, the teaching unions ASCL, NEU and NAHT called on Ofsted to pause inspections while a review of the impact of inspections on the wellbeing of school leaders and staff is undertaken. In a statement, Ms Perry’s family shared their hope that Ruth’s legacy will be a change to the “punitive” way that schools are inspected. Our thoughts are with Ruth’s family, friends, colleagues and the school community at this difficult time.

Ofsted has issued a statement this morning in which the chief inspector Amanda Spielman says “We know that inspections can be challenging and we always aim to carry them out with sensitivity as well as professionalism”.

NGA’s board of trustees considered the issue this week: we support an independent review of inspection. However, it also needs to address how inspection can be a more effective tool for school improvement and consider:

·         changes that would help remove the culture of fear that exists around Ofsted inspections and the stakes attached to them;

·         the effect of the inspection process on schools in disadvantaged communities;

·         replacing the current grading system with a more constructive alternative that helps schools to improve;

·         making inspection reports more informative and useful to a wider audience that includes governors and trustees; and

·         how the role and responsibilities of governing boards can be given greater coverage in the inspection process.

There is no indication that such a review will be undertaken. If you have any views you would like to share with NGA, please contact Nina.Sharma@nga.org.uk

For some years NGA has called for Ofsted to take a proportionate approach to inspections that lowers the stakes, but the culture across the sector of fear of inspection has not been changed at all. Governing boards have the very difficult role of trying to shift this at trust and school level and ensuing a culture of well-being. If you have not had a recent discussion with trust/school leaders on staff well-being, our resources can support, in particular the leader wellbeing evaluation tool.

NGA Leadership Forums on governance workload: open for booking

Join us for our latest series governance leadership forums on governor and trustee workload where we explore the question, ‘what is a realistic expectation of workload for governors and trustees?’ and to gain insight into how you have managed the competing demands on your time.

The forums will cover:

·         The changing demands on chairs and boards and what that means in practice

·         Does workload have an impact on recruitment and/or retention of volunteers?

·         How you have supported governors and trustees to manage their workload and wellbeing

·         How have the changes you have made improved how you work together?

·         What more can NGA and other players do to make these roles manageable?

The forum will provide you with an opportunity to network, share experiences and help shape NGA’s work on this important topic.

Visit our events page to book your place.

New Governing Matters out now

Enjoy some weekend reading with your new issue of Governing Matters as we explore some of the key issues facing schools and trusts.

In this issue, The Children’s Society tell us how boards can support vulnerable children, with the long-term impact of the pandemic revealing a picture of more children susceptible to harm and existing vulnerabilities being perpetuated. Fair Education Alliance anchors these current challenges in its big three themes – place, poverty and power.

We also consider how the promise of additional funding is likely to play out to the benefit of schools across the country. Find out more about one governor’s first year in the role as well as having some wise words on preparing for the annual appraisal and performance management meeting ahead of time.

If you don’t receive a hard copy, visit the Governing Matters page to read these articles and more.

Funding announced for SEND provision

The Department for Education (DfE) has announced funding for 20 additional local councils to help with the cost of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision. The funding comes after years of pressure on the SEND sector, with reports of increased demand for services resulting in many children being left without necessary support.

The pandemic has also exacerbated these issues, with disruptions to education leading to a greater need for support services. Although the additional funding has been welcomed, there are some concerns that it may not be enough to address the systemic issues within the SEND sector.

NGA’s Knowledge Centre provides a range of resources to support governors and trustees build an understanding of their responsibilities relating to SEND and inclusion.

Don’t forget to enter Outstanding Governance Awards!

Not long left for boards or governance professionals to enter the Outstanding Governance Awards! Entries close on Monday 27 March so please make sure you submit your nominations before it’s too late.

It’s fantastic to see boards and governance professionals recognising and celebrating their achievements, and we look forward to reading your entries.

For more information and to enter visit our OGA webpage.

NAHT release a guide for school leaders about Ramadan

This week saw the start of Ramadan, a holy month for Muslims. One element of observance for this month is fasting from sunrise to sunset. To support senior leaders, the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) has released a guide highlighting some of the factors that school leaders should be thinking about in relation to pupils during the month.

Governors and trustees should be speaking to their senior leaders to ensure that any pupils and staff who are fasting are fully supported, and their welfare considered. Schools and trusts can also use this period as an opportunity to engage with the Muslim community and raise awareness of Ramadan and Eid in their settings.

Sign up now! New sessions available on NGA’s Leading Governance development courses

The development for chairs programme is designed for both trustees and governors who currently chair, and those aspiring to become a chair, supporting the development of leadership skills.

Trustees: Start date – 20 April 2023
LA Maintained and LGBs: Start date – 13 September 2023
Cost: £270 per participant.

The Level 3 Certificate in the clerking of school and academy governing boards programme is an accredited programme designed for governance professionals and clerks with at least three months experience, currently working in any school or trust setting. The cost is £480 per participant.

To find out more about either of these programmes, call us on 0121 237 3780 dial option 5, email us at leading.governance@nga.org.uk or visit our website.

Addressing disadvantage – the crucial role of the governing board

The rising cost of living has had a significant and wide reaching impact on children and their families, and the role schools and trusts have in the level of support they offer is growing.

In an article published by TES this week, a chair of governors from Surrey discusses the changing demographic of those impacted by poverty and what those governing can do to help, stating “if children are coming to school hungry, cold and worried, they just aren’t ready to learn”.

The article highlights the importance of governors and trustees working with school leaders to ensure they are picking up on the signs of families suffering as a result of the cost of living crisis.

NGA’s ‘Disadvantage: Widening the lens’ campaigns page provides a range of resources for governing boards to use with their school leaders in addressing educational disadvantage.

New report: Teacher training targets missed 

Recruitment into initial teacher training (ITT) in 2022-23 was 20% lower than the year before the pandemic, according to a report published by the National Foundation for Education Research this week.

The research examining the teacher supply chain has also revealed that post-pandemic schools advertised 93% more vacancies in 2022-23 and highlighted the increasing disparity in teacher benefits compared to other sector roles.

Worryingly, primary school recruitment is also now showing signs of struggle. Traditionally always close to meeting their targets, this year’s primary recruitment is set to see a 14 percentage point decrease. For secondaries, nine out of 17 secondary subjects are on track to miss their recruitment targets by a minimum of 20% and secondary recruitment overall by 40%.

NGA has produced a range of resources to support governing boards in creating a healthy working environment for all staff.

DfE transgender guidance due to be published this year

The government has announced its plans to publish guidance to support schools to deal with sensitive issues such as gender-neutral toilets and changing provision. The government is aiming to publish draft transgender guidance for schools “later in the spring”, the education secretary has said. The DfE is in the process of finalising the guidelines for the consultation of the draft guidance.

In a letter to the chair of the cross-party Commons Education Select Committee, the Education Secretary, Gillian Keegan recognised the need for this guidance to be available to schools but also acknowledged the need to “get the guidance right” on a sensitive and complex topic. In the absence of this guidance, NGA joined with a range of sector bodies to produce guidance for maintained schools and academies in England on provision for transgender pupils. Read the full guidance on the Knowledge Centre.