Governor Support & Training
Governor Support & Training
We believe that effective governance is essential to delivering school improvements. By supporting a committed network of governors, we can help to drive systematic change in schools across Buckinghamshire.
Our Governor Support offers a suite of training, advice, guidance and resources at competitive prices and includes an ad-hoc clerking service, to support governor meetings on occasion when your regular clerk is unavailable.
Governor Training
Governor training is a vital element in every governing board's effectiveness. For 2023/24 we encourage all boards to subscribe to the NGA’s Learning Link e-learning platform to ensure that all governors access a quality induction and information about all aspects of governance. In addition, BESST will offer a select programme of live virtual sessions for all governors throughout the academic year on a pay as you go basis, designed to supplement the national training offered by the NGA and provide a Buckinghamshire expert view on specific key topics where the county view is essential.
NGA Membership
Gold and standard memberships to the National Governance Association are available for all schools to purchase at a discounted rate through BESST. Membership of the NGA provides boards with access to information, advice and guidance from expert leaders in school governance.
Governor Hub
Designed by governors for governors, GovernorHub is your secure place to manage the work of your board and evidence your efforts. Subscribe to full board membership of Governor Hub through BESST for just £155 per annum.
Governor Hub Knowledge
Governor Hub Knowledge provides a wealth of governance information and resources at your fingertips. For schools that purchase full board membership of Governor Hub through BESST, we are able to offer Governor Hub Knowledge at a discounted rate compared to purchasing direct.
Bespoke HR Training for Governing Boards
The Buckinghamshire HR team can provide expert sessions for governing boards in a range of topics including safer recruitment, headteacher recruitment, capability, grievance and disciplinary action.
Please contact us for more information on these bespoke sessions.
Governor Support Packages
To enable governing boards to access support in a cost-effective way, platinum, gold, silver and bronze packages are available for the financial year 2023/24.
New and Aspiring Chairs of Governors Development Programme
Developed and delivered by Buckinghamshire Council officers and partners, the course will provide local context and expertise aligned to the DfE’s Governance Competency framework. Training will be delivered through a mix of face to face and online sessions and peer networking within cohorts will be encouraged.
Headteacher Recruitment Support Packages
Recruiting a new headteacher is one of the most important roles that a Governing Body must undertake. It is critical that a professional, fair, open and time-sensitive recruitment practice is undertaken, taking on board the latest safeguarding guidance and legislation to ensure a successful recruitment outcome. The Buckinghamshire Council BESST School Improvement Team and Buckinghamshire Council Human Resources Team can offer three different traded packages of support to meet the needs of maintained, academy and free schools in Buckinghamshire.
Headteacher Performance Management
Our School Improvement Advisors can offer experienced external advisor support to governing bodies. The external advisor role provides advise on the legal process, helps interpret data and other performance information and advises on how to frame Headteacher objectives for the coming year.
The Headteacher Performance Management support is for one day’s support in the Autumn term, although additional support for a mid-year review, of either a half day or a full day, with the same School Improvement Advisor is also available.