Governors have got an essential role to play in shaping their school’s development. Jane Martin reports
THE education Bill currently going through Parliament confirmed that the prime responsibility of the governing board is to promote high standards of education. This is a strategic role which relies on effective school development planning. What process do you have in place?
The development plan - sometimes called the improvement plan - should provide the strategic framework for the school. It is a key document with which all governors should be familiar. Indeed, they should play a significant role in shaping the plan.
The plan will be drawn up around the future priorities of the school, linking them to improvement objectives and desired results, consistent with performance management, and with clear links to resources.
It should also be the document used by governors to monitor the direction of school improvement and to measure its success against agreed criteria.
Much of the business of the governing body will refer to the development plan - budget-setting, performance objectives, target-setting, policy-making. One of the ways in which governors know they are working effectively will be when the connections between these processes are clear and joined up.
In most schools the plan is constructed “bottom up” from departmental development plans and co-ordinated by the headteacher and senior team, but governors bring an important, wider perspective to the key issues and the general direction. Are special educational needs a concern - where are they addressed? Are GCSE maths results going down - what does the plan have to say?
The process of school development planning will of necessity be never-ending. An annual style will indicate clear intervals for monitoring and review. These processes must be inclusive of governors and staff - and flexible enough to accept change and revision where needed. Some schools have a development plan committee while others use the curriculum committee.
Many schools now hold an annual half or whole-day event on the plan, which includes staff and governors. This is proving to be a valuable “away day” opportunity for strategic thinking and discussion and should be regarded as an essential meeting for the whole governing body.
‘Joined-Up Governance’ is a new publication by Jane Martin and Ann Holt, available from Adamson Books at info@adamsonbooks.com, or on 01353 649 238
