This module will help you to:

• understand the importance of the Equality Act at all levels, and be able to use this knowledge to make useful governance contributions.

The Equality Act 2010 applies to all maintained and independent schools in England and Wales. The biggest challenge for governing boards in coming to terms with the Equality Act is understanding what it demands from schools in practice.  

This three unit module will help you to understand the Act and the practical implications for those governing, provide an understanding and awareness as to how the Act relates to pupils, as well as how the Act impacts recruitment, retention and the performance management of staff. 

By the end of the module you will understand the importance of the Equality Act at all levels, and be able to use this knowledge to make useful governance contributions.

Each unit can be studied separately.

This module will help you to:

• Understand the key areas of compliance including safeguarding, health and safety, admissions, information publication and management and school policies
• Understand the expectations off governors in relation to compliance
• Approach effective monitoring and holding school leaders to account

This module will help you to:

• Understand an important part of the clerk’s role
• Be familiar with the key documents, both for maintained schools and academies
• Have developed your research skills
• Be able to intervene confidently and appropriately in governing board work

This module will help you to:

• Know what statutory requirements governing boards have to meet
• Be able to advise the governing board on how it should meet those requirements
• Know where to go for information on individual statutory requirements
• Be equipped to help organise your governing board’s work so that it responds to all statutory requirements efficiently and effectively

This module will help you to:

• Understand your health and safety responsibilities
• Understand your legal duties
• Develop the practical guidance within your schools
• Understand where you can go for further information on key health and safety areas

This module will help you to:

• Recognise the role of the governing board in the safeguarding of children and young people
• Understand the importance of implementing and maintaining appropriate safeguarding practice
• Ask the right questions in order to not simply be aware of the schools practices but also be involved in making sure they work.