If you wish to book a place on a course or require further information on governor training matters, please contact the service, or book online by the link below:
On-line governor training form
Governor Training Courses
Introduction
Governors play a key role in the life of a school – the job is demanding of time, skills, energy and commitment and there will be even greater challenges ahead for governors as the year progresses in all aspects of school life but with particular focus on the twin challenges of raising standards and social and educational inclusion.
The new inspection framework for schools places a still greater focus on the important role of governors in the school, on their knowing the school, its strengths and areas for improvement and its performance – governors therefore need to place an even greater emphasis on their knowledge about the school, on monitoring and evaluation, policy and practice and of course, on their own development, as a group of individuals and as a team.
With so many expectations and challenges facing governors and schools, training and development for governors has never been as important as it is now: governors rightly recognise the importance of in service training for staff in schools yet frequently forget that they too are key players in the business of raising standards and need it just as much!
To carry out this demanding role, governors need support, development, training and contact with other governors. The Education Authority is committed to supporting governors so that they can be as skilled; knowledgeable and experienced as is possible and therefore as effective as possible in supporting their school and its community. This programme is an important component of that support.
Future Developments
It is anticipated that additional courses will be developed throughout the academic year. Governors will receive full details.
Consultation
The Governor Training and Development Team welcomes feedback and comments on the training currently provided, and suggestions for future areas of development, in its aim to continually improve the service it provides to governors.
How is the training Organised?
Who is the training for?
Everyone. (All other sessions are for all governors).
Head Teachers, Chairs of Governors, Link Governors and LEA Governors have additional briefing meetings to which they are personally invited.
Courses are held at a central venue and time to suit the majority of governors.
If oversubscribed further sessions are organised.
Bespoke Training
If it would benefit you as governors, many courses can be delivered to you as a whole governing body. The sessions are tailored to meet individual needs. This is available throughout the year by arrangement, and usually held in the school. The Chair, Head Teacher or Link Governor takes responsibility to contact the training administrator.
Cluster Training
Cluster training can be arranged for a group of schools to benefit from joint training of a bespoke nature. The administrator may offer cluster training if other schools have requested similar training.
Link Governor Meetings
Two meetings are planned, as last year. Attendance was good, but could do better!
Every governing body should send a representative. The focus is on information sharing, planning, and discussion to ensure that governors feel properly supported by the services of the LEA in the important job of school governance.
Briefing Meetings
Chairs and Head Teachers are invited to meet with the Director of Children's Services at the start of each term. Dates are given for the whole year to assist you with forward planning. The briefing papers and dialogue will help prepare governing bodies for meetings.