Empowering governors and trustees: NGA at the Labour Party conference

NGA's Michael Bartons highlights NGA’s pivotal influence and advocacy for school governance at this year's Labour Party Conference in Liverpool

Blog

27/09/2024

As one of the highlights of the political calendar, the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool provided a powerful platform for NGA to elevate the voices of governors and trustees on the national stage. Emma Balchin, NGA's Chief Executive, attended and actively participated in meaningful fringe events, engaged with policymakers, and connected with key stakeholders. This was not just a formality but a crucial step in ensuring that the perspectives and experiences of those governing our schools are heard and understood at the highest levels, a feat we can all be proud of.

This year's conference brought several significant announcements, including the government's introduction of the early adopter scheme for breakfast clubs. This signalled a commitment to addressing educational disadvantage—a cause that aligns with NGA’s long-standing advocacy for some of our communities' most vulnerable members.

Recognising the impact early intervention can have on shaping a child’s future, we were encouraged by Labour’s plan for supporting the childcare expansion, which is already underway. It’s not just about policy; it’s about making sure that every child, no matter their background, gets an equitable start in life and the pivotal role governors and trustees play in the oversight of good-quality provision.

Bridget Phillipson, the Shadow Secretary of State for Education, also echoed a long-held NGA sentiment of the vital place support staff have within the education sector, particularly in assisting pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). With the introduction of the Level 5 specialist teaching assistant apprenticeship, which allows staff to focus on areas like curriculum provision, social and emotional welfare, or SEND, it’s clear that there’s growing recognition of this and their wider contributions to a school’s success

Public sector reform was another key topic of discussion with the Prime Minister’s recent comments on the need for reform, sparking conversations about the future of the education sector. NGA is preparing to release a report in the coming weeks, discussing our thoughts on the state of the sector and what could and should happen going forwards. As ever, our goal is to ensure that governors and trustees are equipped with the tools they need to navigate and drive sector reform and development, ensuring continuous improvement in a landscape that’s constantly evolving.

NGA’s presence at the Labour Party Conference is just one of the many ways NGA ensures that the views of governors and trustees are not only heard but are at the forefront of national discussions. We’re proud to represent the thousands of individuals who volunteer their time to make a difference in schools across the country. Their insights, as gathered through our annual governance survey and everyday conversations with our members, are the foundation of our advocacy, helping to shape policies and decisions and influence decisions that will affect the future of education in England.

Michael Barton

Head of Policy and Impact

Michael spearheads NGA's policy work, through which we represent our members; champion governance; and advocate for change in line with our policy positions. This includes engagement with external partners such as government, parliamentarians, trade unions and other colleagues.