FE Staff Governors Conference

1. FE Staff Governors Conference Characteristics of effective governance Vivien Shipley HMI 3 December 2009

2. Objectives of the session • Present four key characteristics of effective governance and link these to the articles of government. • Set these in the context of the new CIF for further education and skills 2009. • Discuss how inspectors might look for evidence of these characteristics pre- and during inspection. Staff Governors Conference December 2009

3. FE and Skills Handbook September 2009Leadership and management How effectively do governors and supervisory bodies provide leadership, direction and challenge? To make their judgements, inspectors will evaluate the extent to which: • governors and supervisory bodies set the mission and strategic direction of the provider • governors and supervisory bodies establish effective structures to monitor all aspects of the provider’s performance • governors and supervisory bodies ensure that their statutory duties – where applicable – are fulfilled. Staff Governors Conference December 2009

4. FE and Skills Handbook September 2009Capacity to improve • governors or the appropriate supervisory body fulfil their duties and ask challenging questions to raise or maintain high standards and secure positive learner experiences and outcomes. Staff Governors Conference December 2009

5. FE and Skills Handbook September 2009Limiting grades Safeguarding and, equality and diversity • Where a judgement of inadequate is awarded for either of the two safeguarding judgements/equality and diversity it is most unlikely that the overall effectiveness of the provider will be better than satisfactory. It is likely that the overall judgement will be inadequate. • Where a judgement of satisfactory is awarded either of the two safeguarding judgements/equality and diversity it is most unlikely that the overall effectiveness of the provider will be better than good. Staff Governors Conference December 2009

6. Articles of government- key roles • Determining the educational character and mission • Governing body membership • Role in appointing the principal and other senior post-holders • Oversight of the college’s activities Staff Governors Conference December 2009

7. Characteristics of effective governance • Strong emphasis on setting a clear strategic purpose and direction. • Governors have appropriate experience, skills and personal qualities. • Relationships between governors and senior managers are effective. • Unrelenting focus on achieving the highest standards. Staff Governors Conference December 2009

8. Clear strategic purpose and direction • Regularly reviewed in relation to the communities the college serves. • Appropriate mission and values. • Clear aims and objectives. • Focus on excellence and inclusion. • Staff and stakeholders understand their roles and responsibilities. Staff Governors Conference December 2009

9. Governors’ skills and personal qualities. • Broad range to underpin the strategic direction. • Shared values and ethos. • Commitment to training. • High aspirations and expectations • The importance of the clerks role is understood. Staff Governors Conference December 2009

10. Relationships with senior managers • Appoint effective senior postholders. • The respective roles and responsibilities of the chair and principal are clear. • Developing the capacity and skills of managers at all levels is a priority. • Governors have the skills to challenge senior and other managers. • Governors are well-informed. Staff Governors Conference December 2009

11. Achieving the highest standards • Model of governance ensures that all are involved in monitoring the quality of the learners’ experience. • Clarity of purpose for all meetings. • How success will be measured is clear. • Governors have an accurate understanding of the college’s strengths and areas for improvement. Staff Governors Conference December 2009

12. Gathering evidencePre- and during inspection • College web site, PIB, data, SAR, LSC briefing • Read documentation • Strategic and development plans • Minutes of board and key committee meetings and accompanying papers. • Meetings • The clerk • The chair • Chairs of key committees and other governors • Liaise with the NPFA Staff Governors Conference December 2009

13. During inspection- evidence from documents • Are the mission and values of the college inclusive and relevant? • Do strategic and operational plans respond to local and national priorities and the need to improve? • What arrangements do governors have for monitoring the achievement of strategic objectives? • Are there robust plans in place to sustain high standards or to improve where necessary? • Board papers • Why, What, Recommendations, Follow-up. Staff Governors Conference December 2009

14. During inspection- meetings • How have governors, staff and key stakeholders been involved in developing the mission and strategic plan? • How are governors selected and are they representative? • Are there effective arrangements to ensure that governors have the skills to be able to challenge senior managers? • Do governors have an accurate understanding of the strengths of the college and are they clear about what action is taking place to secure improvement? • What arrangements are there for consulting with and using the views of learners and key stakeholders? Staff Governors Conference December 2009

15. FE and Skills Handbook September 2009Grading governance • Grade now published at the back of the report. • Illustrative grade characteristics Leadership and management Capacity to improve Staff Governors Conference December 2009

16. Staff Governors Conference Characteristics of effective governance Vivien Shipley HMI 3 December 2009