Remote Governance FAQs – schools
Find out more about how remote school governors can be a great addition to your school's governing board and how Governors for Schools can help you find one.
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What is a blended governing board?
Answer:
A blended governing board is made up of a mix of local school governors and virtual school governors. This ‘blend’ of both supports diversity and gives schools access to the skills needed for an inclusive governing board.
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What is remote governance?
Answer:
Remote governance enables schools to benefit from a school governor who isn’t based in the local area. Using the skills and technology boards have honed throughout the pandemic, a remote school governor would add a virtual presence to the board, joining meetings remotely.
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Why is there a need for remote governance?
Answer:
We’ve found that many boards are looking for a particular skillset, and in some areas, volunteers with particular skills are hard to come by. Remote governance is a way for your board to benefit from the skills experienced volunteers elsewhere in the country can bring.
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What are the benefits of remote governance?
Answer:
Having a remote school governor allows schools to benefit from skills and/or experience that they may not otherwise be able to recruit locally. A remote school governor can bring a different perspective and help your board be more inclusive – for example, those who may not be able to attend meetings due to childcare or disability will be able to get involved.
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What are the disadvantages of remote governance?
Answer:
While we don’t see remote governance being a disadvantage to your board, there will be some noticeable differences. The remote school governor will not have any obligation to attend a governing meeting in person. This is not to say that there won’t be times they can come to school, but for meetings, they will have a virtual/online presence.
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Why does my governing board need to be diverse?
Answer:
Diversity is key to good governance, ensuring that different perspectives and ideas are shared to improve school performance. There is a need to make UK institutions more representative of its diverse population and this includes on school boards across the country. Remote governance is one way in which we can help increase the diversity of the board.
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How will remote governance work when governing boards return to face to face meetings post pandemic?
Answer:
Each school will find its own set up and ways of including remote school governors. Boards could trial having a laptop/iPad at the head of the table, or the school governor on a screen in the room. Many schools have interactive whiteboards in the majority of classrooms so there shouldn’t be a major barrier if schools use the tech available. Schools have shown immense adaptability throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and have proven that governing boards have the capability to work remotely.