20 Years of School and Trust Governance
Celebrating leadership, impact and the people behind governance.
For 20 years, the National Governance Association has championed strong governance in schools and trusts. This milestone year brings together our evidence and community to celebrate progress and shape what comes next, at a time strong governance matters most.
12 February 2026
National School Governors’ Awareness Day
National School Governors’ Awareness Day is an opportunity to recognise the thousands of volunteers who give their time to govern schools and trusts.
As part of our anniversary year, we’re using the day to:
- celebrate governors as civic leaders
- highlight governance as skilled, strategic leadership
- encourage others to consider getting involved
NGA chief executive Emma Balchin shared a message of thanks with the governance community as we celebrate this year’s occasion.
Become a governor or trustee
Strong governance depends on people stepping forward.
Governors and trustees come from all walks of life and bring a wide range of skills – from finance and HR to estates, legal and organisational leadership.
Watch this video to discover why some of our members govern.
The Case for Governance
In 2026, NGA published The Case for Governance, setting out why governance is a foundational pillar of a sustainable and resilient education system.
The report reframes governance as leadership, not compliance, and highlights the role governing boards play in providing strategic direction, accountability and long-term oversight.
Governance in numbers:
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governors and trustees serve schools and trusts in England
0
hours contributed each year
The economic value of school governance has been estimated at over
£0Coming together as a governance community
Strong governance is built through shared learning, challenge and connection.
MAT Conference hosted at the Schools and Academies Show
Our MAT Conference brings trust leaders and governors together to explore the future of MAT governance.
Sessions reflect the system’s growing complexity, covering accountability, the whitepaper, SEND, inspection, digital transformation and decision-making at scale.
National Governance Conference
The National Governance Conference for Schools and Trusts 2026 is NGA’s flagship annual event.
In this special 20th anniversary year, the conference brings together decision-makers from across the sector for a focused day of expert insight, practical discussion and shared learning.
Annual Governance Survey
Your insight shapes the future of governance.
For 16 consecutive years, NGA’s Annual School and Trust Governance Survey has provided a comprehensive picture of governance in state-funded schools in England.
In our 20th anniversary year, the 2026 survey will look both backwards and forwards. Alongside our usual questions, we’ll explore the milestones that have shaped the system over the past two decades and take a longer-term view of who governs and how governance has evolved.
By reflecting on where we’ve come from, we can take stock, celebrate progress and build a stronger evidence base for the future. Your responses will help us influence policy, strengthen practice and support governing boards to drive positive change together.
The 2026 survey will launch in the summer term.