NATSPEC Governor Seminars 2009

Becoming outstanding – governance support for quality improvement in ISCs

Sue Preece HMI

Spring 2009

Objectives of the session

Present four key characteristics of effective governance and link these to the articles of governance

Provide guidance on how inspectors might look for evidence of these characteristics pre- and during inspection

Characteristics of effective governance

Strong emphasis on setting a clear strategic purpose and direction

Governors have appropriate experience, skills and personal qualities

Relationships between governors and senior managers are effective

Unrelenting focus on achieving the highest standards

Rationale for governance

Determining the educational character and mission

Governing body membership

Role in appointing the principal and other senior post-holders

Oversight of the college’s activities

Clear strategic purpose and direction

Regularly reviewed in relation to the community the college serves

Appropriate mission and values

Clear aims and objectives

Focus on excellence and inclusion

Staff and stakeholders understand their roles and responsibilities

Governors skills and personal qualities.

Broad range to underpin the strategic direction

Shared values and ethos

Commitment to training

High aspirations and expectations

Relationships with senior managers

Appoint effective senior post holders

The respective roles and responsibilities of the chair and principal are clear

Developing the capacity and skills of managers at all levels is a priority

Governors have the skills to challenge senior and other managers

Governors are well-informed

Achieving the highest standards

Model of governance ensures that all are involved in monitoring the quality of the learners’ experience

Clarity of purpose for all meetings

How success will be measured is clear

Governors have an accurate and realistic understanding of the college’s strengths and areas for improvement

College Inspection Handbook 08/09

Leadership and Management

the effectiveness with which governors and other supervisory boards discharge their responsibilities

how effectively performance is monitored and improved through quality assurance and self-assessment

how well equality of opportunity is promoted and discrimination tackled so that all learners achieve their potential

College Inspection Handbook 08/09

Strengthened evaluation statements for capacity to improve

the extent to which governors have the appropriate expertise to fulfil their duties and ask challenging questions of senior managers to raise or maintain high standards & positive learner experiences and outcomes

the extent to which the college has a robust strategic plan and business objectives

whether or not the management structure of the college is appropriate with clear roles and responsibilities to enable the college to move forward with its mission and key priorities

College Inspection Handbook 08/09

Strengthened evaluation statements for capacity to improve

whether the college is financially stable and financial management is sufficiently robust to support the college’s planned development and improvements

the progress the college has made in making improvements since the last inspection

Pre-inspection

Pre-inspection commentary (PIC) College’s self-assessment report Last inspection, monitoring visit and any survey

reports LSC provider briefing Information about learner achievements and

progress College web-site

Preliminary hypotheses

Areas for exploration

During inspection

Read documentation

Strategic and development plans Minutes of board meetings and

accompanying papers

Meetings

The chair and/or other governors Chairs of key committees and other

governors Liaise with the NPFA

During inspection- evidence from documents

Are the mission and values of the college inclusive and relevant?

What arrangements do governors have for monitoring the achievement of strategic objectives?

Are there robust plans in place to sustain high standards or to improve where necessary?

Board papers

Why- What- Recommendations- Follow-up.

During inspection- meetings

How have governors, staff and key stakeholders been involved in developing the strategic plan?

How are governors selected and are they representative?

Are there effective arrangements to ensure that governors have the skills to be able to challenge senior managers?

Do governors have an accurate understanding of the strengths of the college and are they clear about what action is taking place to secure improvement?

What arrangements are there for consulting with learners and key stakeholders?

How effectively does the Governing body monitor and judge its own performance?

NATSPEC Governor Seminars 2009

Becoming outstanding – governance support for quality improvement in ISCs

Sue Preece HMI

Spring 2009