"Good governance never depends upon laws, but upon the personal qualities of those who govern." Frank Herbert What are some of the soft skills which lead to better governance? #UKEdGovs @hoylerosemary.bsky.social @brendanhollyer.bsky.social @sambuller.bsky.social @sarahjchung.bsky.social

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

On #SchoolGovDay the #BigQuestions team would like to thank all those wonderful people who govern our schools. Sherry Anderson said it best! “Volunteers don’t get paid, not because they’re worthless, but because they’re priceless.” #UKEdGovs

One key finding of my research was that when CPD isn’t mandatory, engagement often depends on how training is framed and experienced.

Boards were more likely to upskill consistently when: • Training was seen as empowering rather than compliance-driven • Content connected directly to real governance dilemmas • Space was created for critical reflection, not just information delivery • Chairs modelled a culture of learning

We have the DSL at every meeting giving a safeguarding briefing that includes a bite-size training piece on, eg FGM or Operation Compass etc

🎥 Our CEO Emma Balchin pays tribute to the governance community as we prepare to celebrate National School Governors' Awareness Day! Join Emma tomorrow at 10am for her panel session at Judicium Education's online #SchoolGovDay event. Register 👉 us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi... #NSGAD2026

We put the ownership of upskilling on individual governors. Each year, we choose an area to focus on (our Personal Dev Plan). This is collated into a Board Dev. Plan. Vice chair is responsible for monitoring. It's not just about training courses. It might be reading or webinar. #UKEdGovs

@sarahjchung.bsky.social looked at governor training in her doctoral research - here we talk about what lessons governors can draw from her findings #UKEdGovs Listen at this link

It's often possible to build learning into meetings, e.g. by having computing lead give an online safety briefing. Ps I love Naureen's Plato quote today.

#UKEdGovs #BigQuestions

“I am the wisest man alive, for I know one thing, and that is that I know nothing". Plato As training/CPD isn’t mandatory, how do you ensure your board members are constantly upskilling? @hoylerosemary.bsky.social @brendanhollyer.bsky.social @sambuller.bsky.social @sarahjchung.bsky.social

Max Wilkinson (LibDem) Will Home Sec condemn Trump’s ICE squads & reassure us that we will not see ICE squads on Britain's streets? Shabana Mahmood (Labour) "Unlike most of Westminster, I am not plagued with “America brain”. I do not spend any of my time worrying about what is happening in America"

Almost finished writing a new book with the most amazing woman (@nsachdeva.bsky.social) on becoming an expert teacher.

By putiing an effort into building a relationship between board and executive leaders that involves respect, openness, and common purpose #UKEdGovs

“Confidentiality is a delicate bargain of trust.” Martin Uzochukwu Ugwu How do decide what goes into your confidential minutes? ig Questions #BigQuestions #UKEdGovs @hoylerosemary.bsky.social @brendanhollyer.bsky.social @sambuller.bsky.social @sarahjchung.bsky.social

“Trust but verify." Ronald Reagan  How do you monitor and interrogate data without the executive leadership thinking you don’t trust them? #BigQuestions #UKEdGovs @hoylerosemary.bsky.social @brendanhollyer.bsky.social @sambuller.bsky.social @sarahjchung.bsky.social

Governors leave and the school they were committed to lives on. How does your board prepare for governors leaving? @hoylerosemary.bsky.social @dodiscimus.bsky.social @5naureen.bsky.social @physicsmrh.bsky.social @brendanhollyer.bsky.social @dudleybutt.bsky.social @sallyfarsley.bsky.social #EduSky

By reviewing our practice (& having it externally reviewed periodically), by ensuring we have impact (I'm a big fan of having an annual impact statement in our public information) - do we make a difference? #UKEdGovs

My Twitter/X account has been hacked, and I can no longer access it. In other words, I'm no longer on Twitter/X and any new messages aren't from me. You can still follow me on BlueSky. Please spread the word here and also on Twitter/X.

However, well-designed governor training also matters here. When governors understand their role and feel confident to contribute, meetings become participatory, purposeful, and impactful rather than simply procedural, allowing decisions to be made.

For governing bodies, effectiveness comes when updates are shared in advance and meeting time is protected for strategic dialogue, challenge, and collective decision-making. This depends on clear agendas, skilled chairing, and a culture where questioning is expected.

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

“A body of men holding themselves accountable to nobody ought not to be trusted by anybody.” Thomas Paine Boards hold the executives to account. How do we hold ourselves to account and why is that necessary? #BigQuestions #UKEdGovs

“The majority of meetings should be discussions that lead to decisions.” Patrick Lencioni How, in your opinion, can our meetings be most effective? #BigQuestions #UKEdGovs @hoylerosemary.bsky.social @brendanhollyer.bsky.social @sambuller.bsky.social @sarahjchung.bsky.social

I'm absolutely all for developing our leaders to take the top job but that might be in another organisation. That is just fine with me as we work in something much bigger than just 'our school' or 'our trust'. New fresh eyes can invigorating organisations. #UKEdGovs

Oh and most of those who have an EHCP have one for autism, a language disorder, or a physical disability - not "anxiety".

I think there is a real issue here in more young people getting written off during education and ending up out of work but got to get the facts right to diagnose it properly.

Three errors here. First, in confusing some kind of SEND classification (20%) with EHCPs (5.5%). Secondly in assuming it gives automatic right to DLA. Though there is a strong ECHP/DLA overlap. Third in assuming that those moving to DLA to PIP never work (it's not an out of work benefit).

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

“The role of a board of directors is to be a sounding board for the vision of the company - to hold executives accountable in executing that vision and to ensure a management succession plan is in place.” Mellody Hobson How do you go about succession planning for executive leaders? #BigQuestions

“The more that you read, the more things you will know." Dr. Seuss How do we encourage governors to read research focused on governance? #BigQuestions #UKEdGovs @hoylerosemary.bsky.social @brendanhollyer.bsky.social @sambuller.bsky.social @sarahjchung.bsky.social

“Measure what you value instead of valuing only what you can measure” Andy Hargreaves. As governors, how do we ensure the above happens while still staying strategic? #BigQuestions #UKEdGovs @hoylerosemary.bsky.social @brendanhollyer.bsky.social @sambuller.bsky.social @sarahjchung.bsky.social

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

“We may have all come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now.” Martin Luther King, Jr. How do you ensure that board members appointed through different routes work cohesively together as a team? #BigQuestions #UKEdGovs

“I was a smart kid, but I hated school.” Eminem Is there something governors of Eminem’s school could/should have done to change this? #BigQuestions #UKEdGovs @hoylerosemary.bsky.social @brendanhollyer.bsky.social @sambuller.bsky.social @sarahjchung.bsky.social

Olive Grove ( Bright Blue Sky) - 1889 https://botfrens.com/collections/46/contents/14596

Headteacher Mobility and School Isolation Research Insights: Headteacher Mobility and Isolation New findings from the Education Policy Institute reveal: • Schools in regions like the North West face leadership isolation

"When I was a very small child, I had a sense, whereof I know not, that William the Conqueror was the first king of England and that history began in 1066. When I was a slightly less small child, I was delighted to learn that this wasn’t so..." Regarding a surprisingly complicated question

Can’t wait to have another cuppa in my home from home in Toronto

These are my five favourite songs about winter… 5. ABBA – “Snowing Me, Snowing You” 4. Lionel Richie – “All Night Longjohns” 3. Band Aid – “Duvet Know It’s Christmas?” 2. The Stone Roses – “I Wanna Be Indoors” 1. Kate Bush – “Running Up That Heating Bill”

Today’s the winter solstice so here’s a list of ten wintery films… 10. Scarf-face 9. Casablanket 8. Jurassic Parka 7. Fleece Academy 6. Extra Layer Cake 5. Mittens Impossible 4. Thermals and Louise 3. The Men Who Stare at Coats 2. What’s Heating Gilbert Grape 1. The Snood, the Bad and the Snuggly

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

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

“Work is love made visible.” Khalil Jibran Governors are one of the largest volunteer forces in the country. Their love for good education and their commitment to ensuring a good education for ALL children is why they do what they do. #BigQuestions

Really good and thoughtful write-up of one of the most positive changes Labour is attempting to make, this:

“Good governance should be an expectation - not an exception.” Abigail Spanberger How do you define good governance? #BigQuestions #UKEdGovs @hoylerosemary.bsky.social @brendanhollyer.bsky.social @sambuller.bsky.social @sarahjchung.bsky.social

Most governors will come into school, albeit with a particular focus and not just shadowing for a day (nor should they, they are strategic not operational). Many (not all) employers will give time off for this.

Effective boards need to be disciplined about what information they request, and regularly reflect on whether challenge is proportionate or drifting into micromanagement. Creating safe spaces for leaders to be honest about pressure points is crucial.

Ultimately, supporting work/life balance is as much about how boards govern as what they monitor.