Calderdale Council provides a Governor Support Service. Please click on the headings below for details of what the service covers.
Helpline
The governor helpline provides guidance and information to governors and clerks. Governors and clerks can ask questions, discuss their concerns or even just call or email for a second opinion.
The Governor Support Officer is aware of, and understands the sensitive nature of, some of the issues currently facing governors and clerks in schools and academies.
The Governor Support Officer works closely with Calderdale Council’s Legal Services/Safeguarding/Health & Safety/Finance and HR, to ensure that all schools subscribed to the Governor Support Service are working within the law. The helpline is confidential and will provide guidance on all questions.
Training programme
Where subscribed, a comprehensive annual training programme is provided which is specifically designed for governors to ensure they are well trained and supported in their role. This has been created through:
- Analysis of previous evaluation forms;
- Discussions with Calderdale governors;
- Discussions with representatives from Calderdale Governors Association and clerks;
- To ensure that it is YOUR programme and not just ours.
The training programme provides the latest guidance and advice on a wide range of topics including, data, safeguarding, finance, health and safety (please see the Training Programme for full details). It will help you achieve the competencies required as part of the Competency Framework for Governors published in January 2017.
Networks
This year even more networks are being run throughout the academic year. The events encourage participants to raise issues themselves as well as focussing on current topics.
These networks will allow participants to look at current topics, share good practice and discuss any issues or ask any questions to help you in the important role you have undertaken. It also gives you a chance to meet other governors carrying out a similar role.
Each network will be run once a term and is open to all governors whether they are currently in a link role or not. Networks will be provided for: Chairs, Clerks, Finance, Health & Safety, Safeguarding and SEND
National Governance Association (NGA) online training and NGA Standard Membership
NGA on-line training and standard NGA membership is included in the Tier 1 and Tier 3 package. This includes over 50 learning modules from NGA that governors can use. This can be used to complement the face to face training offered, where you can ask any questions or gain clarification of anything in the online training that you may not have been clear about.
Standard Membership includes the following:
- Copies of Governing Matters magazine sent to the home of three nominated members and two to the school.
- A weekly e-newsletter featuring the latest education news and policy updates sent to every member.
- Access to members’ only content in the NGA online guidance centre.
- NGA guides available at a discounted rate.
- One free place at NGA annual conference and one free place at one of NGA regional meetings and one free place at NGA summer conference.
National Governance Association (NGA) online training and NGA Gold Membership
This year you have the option to buy into the NGA Gold service, and the cost of this will be added to the cost of standard membership.
Gold Membership includes the following:
- Free access to expert legal and procedural advice through NGA GOLDline advice service (0121 237 3782).
- Copies of NGA bi-monthly Governing Matters magazine to the home of every governor and two to the school.
- A weekly e-newsletter featuring the latest education news and policy updates sent to every member.
- Access to members’ only content in NGA online guidance centre for all members.
- A free Chair’s Handbook and welcome to Governance handbook when you first join.
- Complimentary copies of Welcome to Governance for all new governors.
- Three free places at three NGA events per year : three free places at the annual conference, at the summer conference and at one of the NGA regional meetings.
Other support available
School Based Training/Governance Reviews
Find and arrange training providers for school based governor and clerks training as well as reviews of governance. This can also be arranged for clusters or groups of schools.
Two Weekly Updates
The Governor Support Officer will provide governors and clerks with a 2 weekly Governor Update:
- Detailing all changes in legislation;
- Informing governors and clerks of changes and what’s going on in Education;
- Giving up to date information on what is happening that is relevant to governors and clerks.
Induction Booklet
Provide an Induction Booklet with a welcome letter for new governors.
Model Documents and Policies
Assist schools in finding model documents and policies.
Governors/Clerks and National Leaders in Governors
Governor Support will assist you in finding governors and clerks if you are struggling and will put you in touch with National Leaders of Governance if your governing body/board is in need of
Meetings and committees
The Calderdale Governors’ Association (CGA) is a local independent body which aims to improve governance in Calderdale by supporting governors and sharing knowledge, expertise and good practice for the benefit of all Calderdale children. It will consult with governors and arrange meetings/training sessions to discuss matters of interest to which all Calderdale governors are welcome to attend.
Although CGA is independent of the Local Authority they will work closely together and the LA will provide administrative support.
Calderdale Governor Conference
The Calderdale Governor Conference is held annually. It provides opportunities for governors to meet and network with governors in other schools. Speakers of national repute are invited to speak on current governor related issues.
Previous conferences have covered subjects such as: Academies, Succession Planning and New Models of Leadership, "The Calderdale Challenge", 'Everyone Different - Everyone Matters' - personalisation and making good progress; 'Meeting the challenges' - the changing role of leadership and management in the context of extended services; The Changing Role of Local Authorities and Schools; Governing Schools for the Future.
Parent governor representatives (PGRs)
There are PGRs in each local authority in England and their role is to represent the voice of parents on local education committees. In Calderdale we have two PGRs on the Children and Young People's Services Scrutiny Panel.
In Calderdale, PGRs are appointed for a four year term of office. The two current representatives are Alison Grant and Emma Carter.
If any parent governor has a problem, or an opinion or viewpoint that they want to share with either Alison or Emma, they should contact the Governor Support Team at Heath Training and Development Centre. Your query will be forwarded to Alison or Emma.
Consultation framework
Calderdale Children and Young People's Services Consultation Framework provides for school governors to be members of Working Groups and Committees. There are currently no vacancies.
New governors
New governors can get support from their governing body and from the local authority. Governing bodies should develop school specific induction packs for new governors. Some governing bodies also arrange for an experienced governor to partner a new governor. The experienced governor can:
- make introductions and arrange a visit to the school;
- explain how meetings are conducted;
- help the new governor to understand and organise the paperwork;
- explain the education jargon;
- explain the structure of the governing body and how the committees function.
The local authority also provides information, training and advice.
For full details, including the current Governor vacancies, see Become a school governor
All new governors receive an induction information pack from the local authority that includes the Instrument of Government for the school, newsletters and information bulletins.
The following induction training course for new governors is offered through the Governor Training Programme.
- Introductory course (a three session course).
For course dates, see: Governor Training Programme .
Governor guidance and privacy notice
Information and guidance for Calderdale Governors for schools who purchase Governor support is available at:
Access to resources and information - login required
To request access, please see: Access to the Services for Schools SharePoint site, if your school:
- Purchased Governor support and you do not have access.
- Head teachers and school admin staff can also access the information.
Please read, governor support - privacy notice.
Contact
- Debby Simpson
- Governor Support Services
- Telephone: 07394 400732
- Email: Debby.Simpson@calderdale.gov.uk
For more about this, including details of meetings and committees, recruitment, training and support for new governors, see: Schools Governors.