The NGA strongly believes that if governors are going to carry out their responsibilities effectively then they need to be trained.
We are working on compiling a list of training available. Members will be notified when this is complete and on the website.
Local Authority Training
Most governor training is delivered by local authorities and many do a very good job.
Despite the high quality of some local authority training many local authorities report low attendances. The NGA believes that this situation is almost inevitable, given the heavy time commitment that governors already make to their schools, but the present situation should not be used as an argument against mandatory training. There are opportunities for other forms of training, both online and distance learning.
NGA First Certificate
This programme has been developed in partnership with EduCare, expert providers of distance learning.
First Certificate is based on the best selling NGA Guide ‘Welcome to Governance’. Governors using Welcome to Governance can test their understanding and evidence their learning via a multiple-choice questionnaire.
The newly revised NGA First Certificate allows new governors to go through an induction programme at their own speed and in their own time. It is intended to complement a school or local authority governor training programme and has been developed in partnership with EduCare, expert providers of distance learning. Educare provide distance learning materials training for a number of national bodies - including the NSPCC, GirlGuiding UK and the Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
The online assesssment for First Certificate costs just £14.50 (plus VAT) and includes marking and a personalised EduCare/NGA certificate.
For copies of Welcome to Governance please contact the NGA Office, for the online assessement please contact Educare via their website.
NGA Gold members are entitled to the First Certificate training and assessment as a benefit of membership for new members of their governing body only.
Modern Governor
Modern Governor is a new service from Learning Pool, the public sector e-learning exchange. It is a modular on-line programme designed to help local authority school governors develop their skills. The NGA has worked with the Modern Governor writing team in the development of the materials.
Modules planned include: the Governor's role, the Chair's role, Understanding and using performance data, Inspection, Child Protection, Finance, Staffing and Performance Management, Health & Safety, Admissions, Succession Planning and Community Cohesion.
More details
here
Governors E-Learning
In 2006 the Eastern Leadership Centre, in partnership with 14 Local Authorities across the region, developed the Governors E-Learning website.
Current E-Learning modules include:
- Every Child Matters,
- Health & Safety
- Monitoring Performance Data and Targets
- National Training Programme for New Governors,
- Performance Management in Education
- Role of the SEN Governor
- Roles & Responsibilities
- Taking the Chair
Further information can be obtained by following this link
It is recommended that people embarking on any distance-learning programme do so with support from an experienced governor mentor.
Safer Recruitment
After the double murders in Soham in 2003 the Bichard enquiry recommended that schools should adopt safer recruitment procedures. This recommendation was accepted by the government and the NCSL worked with partner organisations to develop a training package.
The Safer Recruitment Online Training provides valuable information on a safer school culture, and advice and guidance to strengthen safeguards against employing unsuitable people in schools. The training will help schools demonstrate that they have effective recruitment and selection processes in place that ensure learners are both well-taught and protected; processes which Ofsted will review through a self-evaluation form.
An FAQ about safer recruitment can be found
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Information about the NCSL online training package can be found
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