Session resources
Find varied session recordings from webinars produced as part of the Governors for Schools Conference 2021.
Monday 20th September 2021
Leveraging technology in schools and governance
This session includes a panel of guest speakers exploring various opportunities that technology provides school governors and schools. You’ll learn how to adapt them to suit your specific needs, from remote learning to online working, from the strategic to the operational.
Watch the recordingInfo about GovernorHub and The Key
Making use of data and management information sessions with Arbor
Understanding where to find the right data, and being able to ask the right questions about it, are two key skills essential for good governance. It will enable you to establish the ‘root causes’ behind problems, the reasons for success and help establish new approaches and policies for the new academic year, such as building your Covid recovery plan and even vision setting.
This webinar is hosted by Andrew Mackereth, Senior Partnership Manager at Arbor and previous primary school governor and secondary Headteacher.
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Effective onboarding of new governors
How to effectively on-board your new governors
Free trial & membership The Key for School Governors
School governor impact report from The University of Manchester
This session focused on the key outcomes of the recent impact study undertaken by The University of Manchester on their school governor initiative and will highlight how the HE sector as a whole can work together to close the vacancy gaps that exist in school governing across the country.
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What is good governance in 2021? – Governors for Schools Conference 2021
This session will explore the current state of school governance, and how you can effectively prepare for the next school year.
Watch the recordingMore information about a no-committee structure
Work Programme template 2021-22
Tuesday 21st September
Hot topics in governance with Better Governor – Governors for Schools Conference 2021
This session explores the current state of school governance, and how you can effectively prepare for the next school year.
Watch the recordingSupporting your alumni’s professional development through school governance – Governors for Schools Conference 2021
This session explores what school governance is, what the benefits are for your alumni, and how your university can get involved.
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Engaging parent governors – Governors for Schools Conference 2021
Hear from our expert panel including Emma Knights, Chief Executive of the National Governance Association, Malcolm John, Founder of Action for Trustee Racial Diversity, and Julia Hewer, Parent Governor. The panel discuss the importance of parent voice within governance, encouraging meaningful engagement and removing barriers.
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Maximising engagement in your university school governor network – Governors for Schools Conference 2021
This session is an opportunity for universities with staff governor initiatives to network, discuss successes and challenges, and share best practice.
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Mentally healthy schools – Governors for Schools Conference 2021
Wellbeing was an issue in schools before the pandemic and if we do not keep it on the agenda it will continue to be one long after the difficulties of the past 18 months are behind us. This session will explore all that is meant by a school being mentally healthy, and how school governors can ensure their school is approaching mental health and wellbeing in a comprehensive, sustainable, mutually-supportive fashion. Guest speakers will include Matthew Audley of Place2Be, Andy Mellor of Schools Advisory Service, and David Taylor of Active Sussex.
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Wednesday 22nd September
Wellbeing in Welsh Schools – the role of school governors – Governors for Schools Conference 2021
With a whole school approach sitting at the centre of Welsh government policy on emotional and mental wellbeing in schools, school governors have an important role to play in supporting wellbeing. In this session, Wales-based school governors will have the opportunity to hear practical advice from an expert panel, as well as information on support and resources available.
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Benefits of board-level volunteering for businesses in Wales – Governors for Schools Conference 2021
Join Chambers Wales and our expert panel as they discuss the opportunities that board-level volunteering offers businesses in Wales as they navigate their post-covid recovery. This session will focus on school governance as a skills development opportunity, as well as the social impact of encouraging employees to become school governors.
Watch the recordingFor employers looking to promote governance to employees, we’ve created a comms toolkit for you to use. Download it here.
Multi-Academy Trusts: A case for collaboration with CST
Join Leora Cruddas, CEO of the Confederation of School Trusts, as she explores the importance of school trusts, and how collaboration is hardwired into their structure and can benefit school improvement.
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Headteacher Recruitment with Eteach
Professional recruitment practices are essential in recruiting and selecting headteachers. This session is an opportunity for those working in governance and school leadership in England and Wales to hear from education recruitment experts Eteach on the topic of headteacher recruitment.
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Thursday 23rd September
Cyber security – essentials for schools with PwC
This session explores the essentials of cyber security which will be led by our partners at PwC. We’ll learn what schools and school governors need to know to ensure schools are guarded against cyber threats.
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Becoming and being a church school governor – Governors for Schools Conference 2021
Discover the specifics of becoming a Church of England School governor. Focusing on the specific role of a Foundation Governor and the distinctive nature of a Church school governance board working to the Church of England Vision of ‘Deeply Christian, Serving the Common Good’. Suitable for those considering becoming a school governor and those experienced in the sector. Presented by the author of ‘Church School Governance’ and tutor on the Liverpool Hope University online course, Mike Simmonds.
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Diversifying governing boards – Governors for Schools Conference 2021
This session discussed how we can better diversify school boards, and how to ensure that schools benefit from that diversity once you have it. Joining us are 4 school governors – Adrian MacLean, Trust Leader, Emma Gregory, Head of the Academy Ambassadors Programme, Sam Martin, Business Manager at Lloyds Bank, and Christie Spurling MBE, CEO of NGage.
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Professional and Personal Development – Governors for Schools Conference 2021
During this session, you’ll hear about the school governor opportunity and the skills you’ll develop in the role. You’ll be able to consider how this board-level volunteering role fits alongside your own CPD aspirations and the expertise you’ll be able to take back to the workplace. This is especially pertinent for those looking to enhance their career with board experience and make a positive contribution to the wider community.
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Friday 24th September
Remote governance and your board – Governors for Schools Conference 2021
This session looks into how remote governance has impacted boards over the last 12 months and how it has tackled key issues surrounding skill shortages and diversity. What are the benefits and challenges as we look to the future and how will boards adapt to this?
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The future of school governance – Governors for Schools Conference 2021
The panel discuss the changing face of governance, including academisation and how relevant training is essential. We’re joined by contributors from The Key, Trust Governance Professionals, and Academy Ambassadors.
Watch the recordingInformation about The Key and GovernorHub
Enhancing a whole-school approach to wellbeing through measurement, with BounceTogether
In recent times there is more conversation about school wellbeing and mental health than there ever has been. And, as more and more schools invest resources into developing a whole-school approach, measuring impact is an area of significant value and priority. In this talk, BounceTogether Managing Director Bob Wilkinson discusses how Wellbeing Leads, Headteachers and school governors can enhance a whole-school approach through the effective measuring of wellbeing.
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Campaign launch: All pupils, every ambition – Governors for Schools Conference 2021
This webinar, “Recalibrating the Classroom”, featuring speakers Dr Tony Breslin, Dr Chris Wood, and Joe McGinn of ImpactEd explores the post-pandemic academic landscape; what schools should be prioritising when it comes to closing the attainment gap and how they can build on the lessons of the past 18 months.
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