Support and resources for governors

We have a governor support team who can support schools to:

• Fulfil the local authority's  statutory responsibilities with regard to school governance by ensuring all local authority maintained school governors have access to information required.
• Support governors in a proactive manner which reduces the number of schools requiring an Ofsted grade of improvement or inadequate.
• Organise events and activities such as workshops and conferences to enhance training, share best practice and provide networking opportunities with other governors.  

Resources for governors

Governor training

New courses will be accessed through the LGSS iLearn portal. In order to do so delegates will need to create an individual account that will allow them to take control of their own learning development.

Safeguarding

Our model safeguarding policy has been developed from good practice examples and includes reference to safeguarding arrangements in Northamptonshire.

Our model safeguarding policy is in accordance withKeeping children safe in education - for schools and colleges 2019 (PDF 797KB) and Working Together July 2018 (PDF 2.22MB).

Other associated documents are:

• Keeping children safe in education for schools and college staff (part one) (PDF 496KB)
• Regulated activity in relation to children: scope (PDF 232KB)

Documents

• NCC model Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy (PDF 809KB) - updates and amends have been highlighted in yellow
• School Complaints Procedures - Guidance for Schools
• Governance Handbook 2019 (PDF 925KB)
• DfE list of statutory policies for schools and academy trusts
• Guidance and resources for governors of local-authority-maintained schools
• DfE governor recruitment flyer: Get support with recruiting governors (PDF 212KB)
• Guidance on making effective decisions when recruiting a headteacher
• Implementing your school's approach to pay (PDF 9.39MB)

Local Offer

The Local Offer is a website that provides information about the support, services and provision that is available in Northamptonshire for children with special educational needs and disabilities. It is designed to be used by parents and professionals and provides a wealth of local information.

At the recent Local Area inspection of how Northamptonshire has implemented the reforms to the Children and Families Act in relation to the SEND Code of Practice, the Local Offer was reported as:

Governor support newsletter

The Governor support newsletter updates governors on current developments locally and nationally.

If you wish to subscribe to the Governor Support Newsletter please contact Governor Services using governors@childrenfirstnorthamptonshire.co.uk

Reconstitution guides

• Guide to reconstitution of the governing body of a Catholic Voluntary Aided School (PDF 160KB)
• Guide to reconstitution of the governing body of a Church of England Voluntary Aided School (PDF 129KB)
• Guide to reconstitution of the governing body of a Community School (PDF 150KB)
• Guide to reconstitution of the governing body of a Foundation School (PDF 157KB)
• Guide to reconstitution of the governing body of a Church of England Voluntary Controlled School (PDF 159KB)

Concerns and complaints

Please see the 'Best practice guidance for school complaints procedures 2019' issued by the DfE.

Supporting websites

There is a wealth of advice and information available for school governors on these two national websites:

• Department for Education
• National Governors' Association

Chair of governors

Chairs of governors have no special power to take decisions on behalf of governors unless there has been a resolution of the whole governing body to delegate a specific authority.

Are you a new chair of governors?

Please ensure that we have your details by contacting us via your clerk or on governors@childrenfirstnorthamptonshire.co.uk  

Resources for chairs of governors

• Quality assurance audit tool - A universal offer to all governors is the audit tool to be used as part of governors training and development plan to demonstrate impact following a learning activity.
• The constitution of governing bodies of maintained schools.
• Leading Governors - The role of the Chair of Governors.
• GOV.UK has more information on the role and responsibilities of a chair of governors.