BESST Governor Support Service Offer

Governor Training

Governor training is a vital element in every governing board’s effectiveness.  Recognising that Governors need flexibility, we offer a comprehensive ‘pay as you go’ training programme for all governors throughout the academic year.  Delivered by expert Buckinghamshire Council teams and selected partners, the training is tailored to governors within the county.

All training in the academic year 2023 to 2024 will be delivered in the evening and will be virtually hosted on MS Teams, allowing for interactive live courses with our experts.  The one-hour sessions will be focused on the needs of governors and will allow plenty of time for ‘what if?’ scenario discussions to ensure the training meets your needs and answers pressing questions.

Key Features: BESST will run hour-long live virtual training sessions, presented by expert Buckinghamshire Council teams and selected partners.  The training programme will be linked to the DfE Competency Framework for Governance and the needs of Buckinghamshire schools.

Package Type:
Pay as you go
Customer Type:
Schools, Academies and MAT
Price:
Pay As You Go £25 per person per one-hour online training session

Read the information below as this has been included to help with the smooth running of the BESST courses.  If there are any errors with your booking or you have a query please contact us immediately at BESST@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

• We recommend you save the email message with the training link in an accessible folder and/or your electronic diary. You can copy the ‘Click here to join the meeting’ message and paste it into your calendar.
• It is advisable to check your device is compatible with MS Teams and that you have access to the chat. We cannot accept responsibility for the quality or accessibility of the device you have chosen to use.
• Ensure your screen ID is your own name or school name. If you are not sure please add your name and school to the chat bar.  If we are unable to confirm attendance you may not be sent further information, presentations or documentation.
• You are advised to log onto the training at least 5 minutes before the start time to ensure the presenter can start the session on time. Failure to do so may result in missing out on important information.
• The majority of our online training requires delegates to be muted and cameras to be turned off. It is your responsibility that this is done before joining the training. Please respect this request as failure to do so can affect the quality of the presentation and also the experience of other delegates.
• If you join the meeting and have no sound, picture or access to the chat, please leave and re-join as this may rectify the problem.  If this doesn't work, the problem may be with the device you are using.  We cannot accept responsibility for the quality or accessibility of the device you have chosen to use.
• We will send out presentations and documentation where possible. This may take up to 14 working days to arrange and approve.
• Certificates of attendance are not provided for all courses. If the training you attended does produce a certificate of attendance these can take up to 14 working days to produce. They will be emailed directly to you.
• Cancellation of governor training sessions – Cancellations are to be made in writing to BESST@buckinghamshire.gov.uk at least 2 days prior to the training session. Cancellations after this time will still incur the charge and we suggest finding an alternative member of the governing board to attend.
• Cancellation of governor welcome package training session - If you are no longer able to make the date of the training, please inform BESST in writing to BESST@buckinghamshire.gov.uk, as soon as possible. We regret that a refund for individual training sessions purchased as part of a New Governor Welcome package cannot be made. Whilst we will endeavour to find you a place on the next welcome training session, this cannot be guaranteed.
• If you have a query with your booking please contact us immediately at BESST@buckinghamshire.gov.uk during office hours. This inbox is not routinely monitored past 5.30pm each day.

NGA Membership Academic Year 2023 - 2024

We are pleased to be able to offer Buckinghamshire schools a discount on membership to the National Governance Association.

Maintained schools, academies and free schools will be able to purchase the membership packages during the summer term and pricing will be announced at that time.

The membership will run from September 2023 to August 2024.

Membership & Advice - National Governance Association (nga.org.uk)

Buckinghamshire Council are acting as a facilitator/broker in the arrangement between your school and the NGA and schools should review the services offered on the NGA website before purchasing this service.  Buckinghamshire Council cannot be held responsible for the advice and guidance given by the NGA.  All questions, queries or complaints regarding the advice given must be directed to the NGA and the school and governing board must undertake all necessary due diligence on the advice and guidance given by the NGA.

Governor Hub Membership Academic Year 2023 - 2024

Buckinghamshire Council are acting as a facilitator/broker in the arrangement between your school and the Governor Hub and schools should review the services offered on the Governor Hub website before purchasing this service.  Buckinghamshire Council cannot be held responsible for the service provided by Governor Hub.  All questions, queries or complaints regarding the advice given must be directed to the Governor Hub and the school and governing board must undertake all necessary due diligence on the advice and guidance given by Governor Hub.

Package type:
Annual (academic year)
Customer type:
Schools, Academies and MATS
Price:
£155 for a 12-month subscription from September 2023 to August 2024.

When purchasing a subscription to Governor Hub you agree:

• Your subscription will last for 12 months, from 1st September 2023 to 31st August 2024 unless otherwise specified on a pro-rated basis.
• That identifiable data will be shared with Ortoo Technologies Ltd / The Key Support Services Ltd for the purposes of Processing of governing body/board membership records and providing access to governing body documents and records; and providing access to services provided to school governors, namely use of GovernorHub.
• That Buckinghamshire Council will have visibility of data the school uploads to Governor Hub, in order to administer the account.
• That the school will provide a named contact at the school.
• That the school will provide all necessary and relevant information in order for Buckinghamshire Council to provide services.
• Only Authorised Users will access the system
• Users must use a secure password including a number, a capital letter and at least eight characters
• Software will be subject to planned and unscheduled maintenance, and the Supplier will provide reasonable notice of the former
• Users must comply with any instructions from Buckinghamshire Council or the Supplier when using the software
• The supplier will back-up data on a regular basis
• That you will take all necessary precautions such as anonymising data and using password protection, in order to protect documents that you choose to store on GovernorHub which contain sensitive information
• To remove access to GovernorHub within 10 working days for any persons who cease acting as governors

Governor Hub Knowledge Academic Year 2023 – 2024

Buckinghamshire Council is acting as a facilitator/broker in the arrangement between your school and Governor Hub / The Key and schools should review the services offered on The Key website before purchasing this service.  Buckinghamshire Council cannot be held responsible for the service provided by The Key.  All questions, queries or complaints regarding the advice given must be directed to The Key and the school and governing board must undertake all necessary due diligence on the advice and guidance given by The Key.

Package type:
Annual (academic year)
Customer type:
Schools, Academies and MATS
Price:
£310 for a 12-month subscription, from September 2023 to August 2024

When purchasing a subscription to Governor Hub Knowledge,  you agree:

• Your subscription will last for 12 months, from 1st September 2023 to 31st August 2024 unless otherwise specified on a pro-rated basis.
• To that identifiable data will be shared with Ortoo Technologies Ltd / The Key Support Services Ltd for the purposes of providing access to services provided to school governors, namely use of The Key.
• That the school will provide a named contact at the school.
• That the school will provide all necessary and relevant information in order for Buckinghamshire Council to provide services.
• Only Authorised Users will access the system and will do so solely for the purpose of school governance at the institution through with the subscription that has been purchased.
• Users must use a secure password including a number, a capital letter and at least eight characters.
• Software will be subject to planned and unscheduled maintenance, and the Supplier will provide reasonable notice of the former.
• Users must comply with any instructions from Buckinghamshire Council or the Supplier when using the software.
• To remove access to The Key within 10 working days for any persons who cease acting as governors or school staff.