Jane Martin takes her monthly look at must-do items on governors’ agendas.
The revised curriculum for 2000 is now in schools. Governing bodies still have responsibility for the curriculum but with some amendments.
The new subject of citizenship could interest governors. It’s not a statutory requirement until September 2002, but planning should start now.
New regulations allow certain pupils at key stage 4 to drop some subjects. It will be the responsibility of the governing body to approve all reasons for this “disapplication”. But it’s worth waiting for the full report on the 14-19 curriculum, due later this term. A presentation of this document is worth putting onthe agenda.
The new Office for Standards in Education framework for inspections is now available. There is a new system of short and full inspections. Inspectors must evaluate “how well the governing body fulfils its statutory responsibilities”.
Make sure new governors have had an introductory school visit and have relevant documents. A written induction policy and welcome pack helps a lot.
The Department for Education and Employment’s new guide to the law for governors is out this month - make sure your school has returned the order form for one per governor.
Jane Martin is an education officer with Dudley, with responsibility for school governance.
