Governors should seek to implement strategies that “reduce excessive workload” in schools, according to new guidance.
The recommendations, set out in a revised version of the guidance document What governing boards and school leaders should expect from each other, also warn against micro-managing heads, and encourage governors to be “mindful” of workload implications when requesting information from school leaders.
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Specifically, they should weigh the relative benefit of obtaining the information against the cost of preparing it, according to the document.
“Governing boards should regularly review the content, format and frequency of the information requested to ensure it remains useful and effective, while remaining mindful of workload implications for school leaders and staff,” it says.
It adds: “School leaders must not be micro-managed. The governing board should concentrate on matters related to strategy and school improvement, delegating to school leaders those tasks which are operational.
“Governing boards should use the monitoring and evaluation of staff wellbeing to implement strategies and initiatives that create a healthy working environment for all staff and help to reduce excessive workload demands from within the school.”
The guidance, to be released today, has been compiled by The National Governance Association (NGA), the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT), the Local Government Association (LGA) and The Institute of School Business Leadership (ISBL).
Sinéad McBrearty, chief executive officer at Education Support Partnership, will discuss how governors can help promote staff wellbeing at the annual NGA conference this weekend.
She told Tes that she agrees governing boards should “assess the impact of their actions” when making decisions.
She said: “Start asking yourself the question: what does this mean for staff wellbeing? Really ask yourself: why are we asking for it? Do we really need it?
“You can have a really innovative curriculum in your school...But if the people standing in the classrooms are exhausted, anxious and depressed, it won’t matter.
“Stoicism had its heyday with the Romans - it is so out of date. I think often we see stoicism in leadership groups.
“Actually, if you come at this from a mental health perspective, the people who are most stoic are often the people who are most vulnerable.”
Steve Edmonds, director of advice and guidance at the NGA, said: “Effective working is vital to improving education for children and young people. This guidance is valuable to all those governing and involved in school governance. It explains relative roles and responsibilities in clear and simple terms.
“Above all, it conveys the importance of establishing professional relationships and taking sound advice before making decisions.”
