Governance

Governors can use the resources below to help identify areas of responsibility including holding the headteacher to account, safeguarding and risk management.

  • Access to minutes of governing body meetings
    Download our templates for access to minutes of governing body meetings and taking minutes during meetings
  • Register of business interests reporting
    Guidelines for the school governing body, trustees and senior staff to declare interests that may lead to bias 
  • Instrument of government template
    Maintained schools are required to have a document explaining the makeup of its governing body. Use our template to explain the structure of your governing body
  • Governor and trustee allowances reporting
    Governing bodies must have evidence of paying expenses incurred by members relating to their role as governors. Download our template and adapt for your school
  • Academy and MAT governor/trustee year planner
    Download and use this year planner for academy and MAT governors and trustees to ensure essential tasks are completed each term and school leaders are held to account
  • Governor year planner
    Download and use this year planner for governors to ensure you are carrying out the essential tasks each term and holding the headteacher to account
  • Governor skills audit
    Download the governor skills audit to assess and evidence the skills members have and determine strengths and weaknesses of the board
  • All aboard? Governance and mental health in schools
    Governors have a role to play in supporting the wellbeing of school leaders and other staff. Fee Stagg offers some ideas for stress-free board meetings and beyond
  • Creating risk awareness
    Risk awareness is a different matter to risk assessment, argues Nickii Messer, and it involves an understanding of strategic, governance, financial, legal and reputational risks
  • Governor self-evaluation form
    Governing bodies should regularly reflect on current practice to improve effectiveness. Download and edit this governor SEF template to evaluate strengths and identify improvements

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