The State of Governance in 2025: Why Your Voice Matters Now
Big changes are being made in education, but the people in governance know the real story. If you’re a governance volunteer at a school or trust, this is your moment to speak up
School and trust governance is facing a moment of real change.
Every day, thousands of you give your time and energy to help schools navigate real-world pressures - tight budgets, recruitment challenges, pupil wellbeing, and long-term planning. It’s complex work, and it matters.
So, what’s really happening in governance in 2025? And how do people on the ground like you feel about where things are headed?
To answer those questions, we need to hear from you.
NGA’s annual governance survey is open now, and it’s your chance to shape the national conversation. Whether you're in a small maintained school or a large trust, your insight is vital. This isn’t just about NGA members - it’s about the entire governance community.
Governance in a changing landscape
This academic year has seen significant developments that directly affect governing boards, none more so than changes to Ofsted and school improvement through the new regional improvement for standards in excellence (RISE) teams.
Ofsted
Ofsted’s approach has been under the spotlight for some time now, and rightly so. With calls for reform coming from all corners of the education sector, they’ve started to adapt their processes, including a consultation on replacing one-word judgments with a report card system.
The big shift for us is the clearer recognition of governance, which has often been a point of confusion and pain for many boards. Governance is now explicitly included in an evaluation area, which is a welcome change. We are hopeful that this signals a more collaborative approach to inspections. NGA backs many of these proposed changes, but we’re keen to ensure governance remains central to the conversation going forward.
RISE
On top of that, we’re seeing the emergence of RISE teams – a move away from structural interventions like automatic academisation, towards a more phased, collaborative approach that focuses on building internal capacity within schools. Starting in September 2026, RISE teams will be tasked with supporting ‘stuck schools’, with a broader remit for all schools in the country across national priorities, at the moment, like attainment, inclusion, and attendance.
In our response to the DfE’s consultation on RISE, we raised concerns around some aspects but also emphasised the need for these teams to understand governance. After all, the role of the board is crucial in any school’s success. We’ve offered to work with RISE teams to make sure they’re up to speed on the different types of governance and how our sector’s expertise should be embedded in their work.
We’ll be keeping a close eye on how RISE is implemented, and we’ll provide expert advice to guide our members through this shift.
Make Your Voice Count - Take the Survey
Too often, governance is left out of the national education debate. But your experience matters - and it can drive real change.
By taking the survey, you help ensure the realities of governance are heard at the highest levels. You help us advocate with clarity and credibility. You help shape the tools to support boards like yours in the years ahead.
It only takes a few minutes. But your impact? That could last a lot longer, and if you can, pass it on to others in your governing board. The more voices we hear, the stronger the message.
Have your say
Participation in our Annual Governance Survey is not just a chance to share your views; it is your chance to help us influence the future of education. The insights gathered provide a vital snapshot of the challenges and priorities facing schools and trusts today, and they directly inform NGA’s work in supporting governance across the sector.
Sam Henson
Deputy Chief Executive
NGA
Ciarán Scott
PR & Communications Lead
Ciarán leads on PR, campaigns, social media, and communications at NGA, helping to showcase the organisation’s work, priorities, and policy positions. He brings experience from the charity PR and marketing sector.