Community has never been more important. The past few months have been a challenge for us all. Every one of us has been affected by the coronavirus pandemic, and while things are starting to return to some form of normality, schools are yet to face some of their biggest…
Like many universities, the majority of Durham’s staff is now working from home. We have been forced to postpone or cancel our upcoming events for our School Governor Network. To enable our governors to keep in touch, and keep the network alive, we have created a Microsoft Teams space…
Inspector Allen Davis from the Metropolitan Police Service talks about the new resource the force has created to support teachers and school staff in keeping children safe online. The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) Guidance for Schools is a comprehensive resource that helps front line professionals in schools…
The Mental Health Foundation’s Mental Health Awareness week runs from 18th – 24th May and this year’s theme is ‘Kindness’. We couldn’t imagine the situation we’d be living through when these dates were announced months ago. The severity of global events, not only Covid-19 itself, but the measures…
Denise Maloney has been part of virtual governing board meetings since before the country went into lockdown and face to face meetings were no longer possible. Denise talks about the tools she has used with her boards so all boards can make virtual meetings a success during these challenging times.
Ruth Boaden is a governor at Camberwell Park Specialist Support School, Manchester. Ruth shares her experiences of governing at a special school, and how she got involved. “I’m a governor at a special school in Manchester. Our pupils face a lot of challenges but the staff know the children well…
Lucy Goodwin is a governor at Evelina Hospital School in London. Here, she shares her experience of being on the governing board of a school that’s based in a hospital building, providing children in hospital with an excellent education. “I’ve been a governor at Evelina hospital school for around a…
It’s a challenging and uncertain time for schools and staff, and the children and parents they serve. The decision to close schools, either individually or on a national basis, is out of the hands of governing boards. But governors still have an important part to play, supporting senior leaders and…
Hatton Special School is rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted. Find out how Headteacher Adrienne Wright depends on her governing board for the school’s continued success. “Hatton Special School is a large primary maintained special school in outer London with 191 pupils with complex needs. We had our…
Grace Maryon is a governor at Greatfields academy in Barking, London. Grace talks about her experience as a link governor, and how she helps children with SEND fully participate in the life of the school. “I’m a governor at Greatfields Academy, which is a community school that primarily serves…
Mary Isherwood OBE is the headteacher at Camberwell Park School in Manchester, which is a primary special school. Mary talks about the need for good governors on the board, and the challenges the school faces. “Camberwell Park is a special school for pupils of primary age who…
Mark Twigg is a governor at a special school in Rotherham, South Yorkshire. He shares his experience of joining the board without any specific experience in SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) and the impact he’s had on the children and their experience of education. “I’ve been a governor…