BASG Governance update 1st April 2020

Governance

What are the expectations on Governing Board meetings at the moment?
The National Governance Association have provided the following advice regarding this:

Business priorities
Governing boards are acutely aware of the enormous task that schools and their staff have in ensuring continuity of education and making the reduced provision work on the ground. It is therefore appropriate for all non-urgent business to be delayed and governing board meetings to be restricted to the following:

1. Business critical decisions (e.g. budget approval, ratifying school leadership appointments etc.)
2. Monitoring how the school is continuing to provide care for children who are vulnerable,
children with ECHP plans the children of key workers, associated risks, issues etc.
3. Any issues arising from how the building is currently being used and remote working for staff
4. Support being given to parents and carers to help them educate their children at home
5. Monitoring the wellbeing and welfare of pupils, staff and stakeholders

More information can be found on the NGA website, where details on business continuity and holding virtual meetings, this link will also take to a webinar recently held on ‘virtual governance’
https://www.nga.org.uk/Knowledge-Centre/Executive-leaders-and-the-governing-boards/The-Coronavirus-Information-for-governing-boards-M.aspx

It would be sensible that if you have planned a normal agenda for your next Governing Board meeting that you consider deferring all normal governance matters until a later date, with suggested wording for your meetings being, ‘Deferral of usual Spring Term Agenda, approval of minutes and matters arising original FGB spring term to later into the academic year.’ Then move onto the above items as your agenda, listed 1 to 5. Please remember to ensure you still allow for declaration of interests and any other business as part of your agendas and pay particular attention to point 5 Monitoring the wellbeing and welfare of pupils, staff and stakeholders

How do we conduct virtual meetings?
There is a lot on information out there now on how to do this and ensure you are meeting regulations, The Key has just updated their information page on this, this informs you on ensuring you have a virtual governance policy and has examples of policies if you do not have one already. It also provides details on how to run the meetings and ensuring they run as smoothly as possible.
https://schoolgovernors.thekeysupport.com/the-governing-body/meetings/meeting-procedures/governor-meetings-virtual-remote-attendance/?marker=module-top5-popular_role

Where can Governing Boards find updated information to support them?
The Buckinghamshire Governors Association has set up its own information page, pulling together relevant details from various sources so the information is in one place. We will continue to signpost Governors to relevant webinars and supporting information. Updates will be added when they become available.
http://www.bucksgovernors.org/category/coronavirus-update/

We would recommend that all Governing Boards are aware of the information being provide by Buckinghamshire County Council and to also check back regularly to this link as information is updated whenever there is new advice.
https://schoolsweb.buckscc.gov.uk/covid-19-corona-virus-latest-advice/

National Governance Association (NGA)
The NGA has made its GOLD line Advice Service available to all governing boards that have questions about maintaining their business in the current circumstance. You can contact GOLDline by emailing them gold@nga.org.uk or by calling 0121 237 3782. NGA GOLD members are asked to make a request through the usual route.
https://www.nga.org.uk/Membership/GOLDline-The-NGA-Advice-service.aspx

The NGA also has an area dedicated to support Governance
https://www.nga.org.uk/Knowledge-Centre/Executive-leaders-and-the-governing-boards/The-Coronavirus-Information-for-governing-boards-M.aspx

The Key
For school governors and Senior leaders is an up to date information service summarising the most important DFE and governor information and providing policy advice
This is an easily accessible service which in the current situation has its COVID pages accessible to all Governors (currently without payment)
Any additional information available on the Key site can be accessed by signing up for a 30 day free trial – (follow their links)
https://schoolgovernors.thekeysupport.com/

BEP – Bucks Education Partnership
Have dedicated an area on their website to support Governance on Covid 19
https://buckseducationpartnership.co.uk/elementor-377/

Paul Randall
Chair of Buckinghamshire Association of School Governors
pauljrandall@btinternet.com

07818453741