We're staggered by the response to our Annual School & Trust Governance Survey Haven't taken part yet? There's still time. The more responses we receive, the stronger our evidence to influence policy and champion effective governance. Take part: www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/R1JGKO/

Just received my copy of @emmakn.bsky.social’s book. I’m sure this will be a very useful book. Started with chapter 10 “Who governs our schools” as that’s a particular interest of mine. The second screenshot shows WHY we volunteer as governors. #UKEdGovs

Soon, Britain will see its first proper wave of private renters reaching retirement age, as they weren’t able to buy while working, and the results of this may be cataclysmic ✏️ @youngvulgarian.marieleconte.com

#UKEdGovs @hoylerosemary.bsky.social @brendanhollyer.bsky.social @sambuller.bsky.social @sarahjchung.bsky.social

Today’s #BigQuestions is from Jacqueline Rodden "Continuous learning is a requirement for success in any field" Brian Tracy What CPD have you planned for yourself and your governing body before the end of this summer term?

In 2024 I went on Radio 4's More or Less and predicted numbers would fall 5%. Maxwell Marlow of the Adam Smith Institute said it would be more than 10%. We made a bet on air and I've won. Which means £100 to the Trussell Trust...

Unintended consequences? schoolsweek.co.uk/managed-move... via @schoolsweek.bsky.social

Wishing Muslims all over the world a joyous #EidAlAdha Those who performed the Hajj, may Allah accept your prayers. Those who asked for forgiveness, may Allah wash away your sins. Aameen.

We should look more closely at Wales’ approach of mandatory governor induction to strengthen coherence and establish a shared baseline across boards. #BigQuestions #UKEdGovs

Another great quote! It lands well in governance where expectations of boards keep expanding. Any board I’ve served on has had safeguarding as mandatory. Beyond that CPD was shaped by board needs but consistency was uneven. #BigQuestions #UKEdGovs

As yet another political transition looms over the horizon it might feel like churn is winning the day once again. But, in Ch3 of my book I identity 6️⃣ mechanisms for continuity that are wired into our policy system. ✅ Preorder now to find out more! www.amazon.co.uk/How-Policy-H...

“Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.” John F Kennedy What training/CPD is mandatory for your board members? #BigQuestions #UKEdGovs @hoylerosemary.bsky.social @brendanhollyer.bsky.social @sambuller.bsky.social @sarahjchung.bsky.social

This is such a good point. In my view, the increased pressure on governing bodies (especially the CoG) - volunteers!! - doesn’t get the attention that it should do.

Sobering stuff from David Blunkett in the @financialtimes.com

A very good question! My recent research (and my own experience) suggests no one! Chairs often feel very alone with no one to turn to when times get tough. We have to look after each other - Our colleagues and networks are essential support for us. #UKEdGovs

“More compassionate mind, more sense of concern for other's well-being, is source of happiness.” Dalai Lama Who is responsible for board members’ wellbeing? #BigQuestions #UKEdGovs @hoylerosemary.bsky.social @brendanhollyer.bsky.social @sambuller.bsky.social @sarahjchung.bsky.social

“All the great speakers were bad speakers at first." Ralph Waldo Emerson How can we encourage people to contribute at board meetings? #BigQuestions #UKEdGovs @hoylerosemary.bsky.social @brendanhollyer.bsky.social @sambuller.bsky.social @sarahjchung.bsky.social

*** NEW POST *** Taking some ideas on geographical curriculum thinking and looking at how they’d apply in the classroom to support challenge and progression. open.substack.com/pub/enserm/p...

@samfr.bsky.social Sam, I’ve heard some medics say that if Wes S wins the leadership contest, they’ll have a very unsympathetic PM who’ll probably make it illegal for them to strike. What do you think?

We measure our impact and produce an annual report published on our website. Where do we make a difference? We also discuss how we work - self evaluation. #UKEdGovs

“We measure everything - why not governance?” Mo Ibrahim How do you measure your board’s effectiveness? #BigQuestions #UKEdGovs @hoylerosemary.bsky.social @brendanhollyer.bsky.social @sambuller.bsky.social @sarahjchung.bsky.social

Strong induction, mentoring, clear role descriptions, and modelling effective governance discussions can reinforce that governors set direction, hold leaders to account, and oversee outcomes, not run the school day to day.

By ensuring governance reflects the same behaviours and expectations asked of staff and pupils: respectful challenge, transparency, inclusion, accountability, and a commitment to continuous learning. Values become visible through decisions, relationships, and culture, not just statements on the web.

#BigQuestions #UKEdGovs @hoylerosemary.bsky.social @brendanhollyer.bsky.social @sambuller.bsky.social @sarahjchung.bsky.social

“Practicing what you preach is a lot more difficult than preaching what you practice” Yuri van der Sluis How can the board demonstrate that the school’s values and ethos are the board’s too? #BigQuestions #UKEdGovs

Isn't the problem that no one really understands that strategy is about making decisions between viable options, not writing a to-do list?

#BigQuestions #UKEdGovs @hoylerosemary.bsky.social @brendanhollyer.bsky.social @sambuller.bsky.social @sarahjchung.bsky.social

“It is your job to stay high level, look to the future and create opportunities for everyone. It’s not your job to micromanage.” Margareta Sailer How can we teach new governors that their role is strategic and not operational? #BigQuestions #UKEdGovs

“Transparency increases credibility and accountability.” Park Won-soon How do you decide what goes into your confidential minutes? #NolanPrinciples #Openness #BigQuestions #UKEdGovs @hoylerosemary.bsky.social @brendanhollyer.bsky.social @sambuller.bsky.social @sarahjchung.bsky.social

A guess a lot people will be spending a lot of today checking some slowly changing numbers on a BBC webpage. If you enjoy that sort of thing and want it to be a more than annual occurrence - can I recommend getting into county cricket?

What's happening is we're moving to a European party system but without PR.

waking up and reading about the results of the locals and feeling very

Yeah I think we're seeing a rare example of anti-Reform tactical voting for the Tories. bsky.app/profile/baro...

Out of the 42 councils where we know the results I correctly predicted 35 so I can genuinely say that there's not been much surprising yet.

Always worth voting...

After three glorious weeks in Japan, I’m back home. Nothing can prepare you for the way you’ll feel when you walk in the Peace Park and visit the museum in Hiroshima. The cherry blossom were amazing. Tokyo gives new meanings to the words busy and crowds. The people are lovely, the food.. 1/2

Graphic includes stars: 1. @simonebeach.bsky.social, primary head 2. @bennewmark.bsky.social, secondary teacher 3. @hoylerosemary.bsky.social, governor 4. @5naureen.bsky.social, governor 5. @primaryteachermary.bsky.social, primary teacher

Yesterday was the most sobering experience I’ve ever had while travelling abroad. The Hiroshima Peace Park and Museum moved me in ways I can’t describe. We had a wonderful guide who showed us around the park. Her grandmother 1/

"A field that has rested gives a bountiful crop" Ovid Our #BigQuestions team is taking a break for the Easter holidays, back on Mon 13 with BQs from Rebecca Blackwood #UKEdGovs @hoylerosemary.bsky.social @brendanhollyer.bsky.social @sambuller.bsky.social @sarahjchung.bsky.social

If this was a regular governor, the HT could ask the CoG to remind governors of the Code Of Conduct, maybe mentioning that some govs are contacting staff out of school hours & to remind them that this is not acceptable. However, in this case, it sounds like a tough conversation is in order.

Makes me wonder what their motive for governorship is: is it primarily to support school as a whole or something else perhaps? 🤔

Roles and Boundaries! There needs to be an open and frank discussion between the two - easier said than done I know, and may need facilitation by School Improvement Partner or equivalent. Chair needs helping to understand role - development and training #UKEdGovs

“When the line started to blur between the fans and the players, sometimes things can get ugly.” Kareem Abdul-Jabbar What would you advise in 👇 #BigQuestions #UKEdGovs @hoylerosemary.bsky.social @brendanhollyer.bsky.social @sambuller.bsky.social @sarahjchung.bsky.social

Anon post on X via @headteacherchat.bsky.social : My chair of governors is also a parent at my school. She frequently contacts me on my personal number at weekends, sometimes very late after 9.30pm or before 6.00am, specifically to discuss her child. #BigQuestions

They can bring a really valuable perspective but they would need a strong awareness of boundaries, as @hoylerosemary.bsky.social highlighted. I think it would require careful navigation, self-awareness, and a clear understanding of where one role ends and the other begins.

Well it is a bit of an oddity Definitely not MATs where role is one of director/trustee. Traditionally always has been in maintained *although they can opt out. I've never had any problems but some boards have if HT is controlling/gatekeeping but that could happen if they are not a Gov. #UKEdGovs

“You can’t sit on two chairs at once.” Andrei Sakharov What are your thoughts on heads being governors too? #BigQuestions #UKEdGovs @hoylerosemary.bsky.social @brendanhollyer.bsky.social @sambuller.bsky.social @sarahjchung.bsky.social

“A wealth of information creates a poverty of attention." Herbert Simon How can governors ensure that the information they get doesn’t drown them in too much detail? #BigQuestions #UKEdGovs @hoylerosemary.bsky.social @brendanhollyer.bsky.social @sambuller.bsky.social @sarahjchung.bsky.social

I think it's really about not avoiding discomfort. I also think you need to prepare by balancing clarity and empathy, being clear about the issue and outcome while creating space for the other person’s perspective. This helps to ensure the conversation is constructive rather than confrontational.

“Leaders grasp nettles." David Ogilvy How do you prepare for a difficult conversation you may need to have with someone? #BigQuestions #UKEdGovs @hoylerosemary.bsky.social @brendanhollyer.bsky.social @sambuller.bsky.social @sarahjchung.bsky.social