Articles
Making sure that your governors are up to speed with safeguarding in their schools
You will probably be aware of the importance of ensuring that safeguarding and child protection procedures in our schools are absolutely watertight at the moment. This has partly been prompted by the requirements of the new Ofsted Inspection Framework, and national awareness following a number of tragic cases relating to child protection.
Clerking staff disciplinary meetings - new ECA guidance
From time to time the Clerk to the Governors may be asked to clerk a staff disciplinary meeting at their school. This can be a daunting prospect for any clerk, and it is important to feel confident about the requirements of the role.
Clerks' Induction Training - can you afford not to?
One clerk's experience of the training:
“Armed with little more than a sense of humour and some admin experience, I embarked on my Clerking career earlier this year. Enjoyable though the Governors meetings were, I was alarmed having attended the Clerks Conference (and a very enjoyable day it was too) at how much behind the scenes stuff I would need to know and be responsible for. In fact, one of the candidates on my table went straight back to her school and resigned!
Discussion paper: 2GB meetings /No Committees - a different approach
Introduction
With the DCSF floating the possibility of smaller Governing Bodies and the current membership range starting at nine members, regular standing committees (which could include finance, premises, curriculum, pupil-matters, personnel, strategy, Every Child Matters and so on, are sometimes difficult to sustain.
What to consider when taking on a new school as Clerk
Taking on a new position as Clerk to a Governing Body can be challenging, sometimes daunting, but always interesting. You may find records in pristine order – if you are lucky – but it is vital that you are given a number of key documents to enable you to manage the Governing Body’s information properly.