Open, honest and transparent discussions about Governance, inspired by the Education sector in the UK. This podcast is hosted by governance practitioners, for new, experienced or prospective board members, such as school governor and academy trustee volunteers, to learn and develop. We share and provide insights into the realities of sitting on governing boards and leaning into strategic leadership. Connect with us to better govern your life!
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Welcome to the academic year 2024-25! This episode offers a compelling mix of personal updates, professional insights, and forward-looking strategies to enrich your governance journey.
By listening to this episode, you will:-
Catch up with the hosts as they reflect on their activities over the summer, discussing how the month of August uniquely impacts those working in Education and Education Governance.
Explore the vibrant atmosphere in the education sector, particularly at events like the Schools and Academies Show, and how these experiences can revitalise and inspire those in governance.
Gain insights into an innovative course being developed by Sharon, designed to advance governance careers across various sectors, with a strong emphasis on inclusivity and accessibility. This programme is currently piloted with governance professionals within education.
Discover the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in governance and personal growth, as both Sharon and Olivia share their journeys into AI prompt engineering, offering practical advice on how AI can enhance governance practice and everyday experiences. Olivia provides a glimpse into her creative writing projects and the recent impact on her life.
Understand the significance of reputation and growth opportunities in governance, focusing on building confidence, embracing new skills, and addressing the emotional and ethical considerations of integrating AI into your professional life.
Thank you for tuning into our show. We appreciate you, our listeners.
For today's Single Item Agenda to close the summer term of 23/24, we are joined by guest speaker;
Kenji Batchelor, an Education Law Partner in Bristol, specialises in advising independent and special schools on legal issues, governance, and strategic projects, with over 14 years of board experience.
By listening to this episode, you will:-
Understand the Governance of Independent Schools: Explore the structure and responsibilities of governance in independent schools, the common misconceptions about these institutions, and the role of charity trustees in steering the strategic direction of the school.
Learn About the Role of Legal Firms in School Governance: Discover how legal advisors support school boards, the importance of early legal consultation, and the dynamics between governance professionals and legal representatives in managing rising complaints and ensuring compliance.
Compare International and UK School Governance: Delve into the unique challenges and benefits of governing international schools in the UK, including maintaining cultural integrity while adhering to English governance structures, and the importance of training and understanding legal frameworks.
Navigate the Role of a Legal Expert in School Governance: Gain insights on how legal professionals balance their expertise with collective decision-making responsibilities on school boards, understanding boundaries, and the importance of diverse skills among governors.
Explore Strategic Considerations for School Mergers and Acquisitions: Learn about the legal and strategic factors involved in mergers within the independent school sector, the impact of government policies, and the benefits and challenges of consolidation for smaller schools facing financial pressures.
For today's Single Item Agenda we are joined by a guest speaker;
Amy Whittall, Executive Director for Trust Development at The Mercian Trust, oversees People Leadership and Organisational Culture, after nearly 7 years as Headteacher of King Edward VI Handsworth School for Girls.
By listening to this episode, you will:-
Trace the exceptional journey of an education leader evolving from the classroom to the boardroom, from navigating milestones and breaking ground along the way, to leaving a mark in both boys' selective and girls' grammar schools.
Gain profound insights into the intricate dynamics of succession planning and leadership transitions, career aspirations and progression, and candid discussions on the relationship between Headteachers and Chair of Governors, emphasising the importance of open communication.
Uncover the profound and transformative impact of female empowerment and strategic leadership, as experienced through a Headteacher's lens, exploring the nuances of leadership styles and the benefits of visibility of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) at governing body meetings.
Receive invaluable guidance on leadership development, including investing in coaching and supervision opportunities, learning to relinquish control with grace, and mapping out the best approach to finding the right successor for a school's next phase.
Dive into the complexities of transitioning from Headteacher to Executive Leadership Team member, and having more responsibility for collaboration and cultural alignment and management within educational institutions and trusts; exploring strategies to bridge gaps, embrace individuality, and foster a culture of continuous upskilling and development to manoeuvre generational shifts and recruit challenges effectively.
A true example of multi-dimensional progression, indicating upward career advancement, outward expansion into new roles or areas, and forward-thinking leadership.
Thank you for tuning into our show. We appreciate you, our listeners. Please rate, review and subscribe to our podcast.
Agenda Item 40 - Living a Governance Lifestyle with Karl George MBE | #TheGovernorsPodcast
For today's Single Item Agenda we are joined by a guest speaker;
Dr Karl George MBE, a thought-leader and internationally established consultant in governance, is a Partner and Head of Governance at RSM, part of the ESG team.
By listening to this episode, you will:-
Explore the remarkable journey of a leading corporate governance practitioner, spanning from a background in finance and accountancy to influential community activism, culminating in expertise in global governance.
Delve into the fundamental principles of governance that transcend sectors, industries, and everyday life, as our esteemed guest shares insights on the universal importance of understanding governance and effectively leveraging specialized knowledge and diversity in various spaces.
Uncover how strategic branding and self-belief play pivotal roles in propelling individuals forward on their governance journeys, as our guest provides invaluable advice on harnessing these factors for personal and professional advancement.
Gain a deeper understanding of the critical significance of Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations for all organizations, as our guest elucidates on the imperative of integrating ESG principles into governance frameworks.
Learn about the pivotal role of a Non-Executive Director (NED) and discover how individuals can act as ambassadors in their voluntary roles and responsibilities, whether as school governors or academy trustees, contributing to effective governance in educational institutions and beyond.
Thank you for tuning into our show. We appreciate you, our listeners. Please rate, review and subscribe to our podcast.
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EBM Governance programme:
Agenda Item 39 - Meeting Minutes… Writing for Hours but Reading in Seconds? | #TheGovernorsPodcast
For today's Single Item Agenda (episode), we discuss;
Meeting packs (meeting papers) that school governors and academy trustees receive to read in preparation for upcoming governing board meetings
The importance of the agenda item ‘Minutes of the Previous Meeting’ and how to approach it - Don’t simply scroll, skip or skim past this paper!
The process of taking minutes, reading and approving minutes - plus tracking the actions, including Chair’s actions, compliance actions, noting the person responsible, setting deadline dates
What annoys clerks and governance professionals
Neurodiversity, inclusivity and accessibility - How best to write, construct and style minutes and meeting papers to consider the readers / target audience
Thank you for tuning into our show. We appreciate you, our listeners.
For today's Single Item Agenda (episode), as we acknowledge 3 years of the podcast, we discuss;
Transitioning from the end of the autumn term to the beginning of the spring term and how to ensure we retain our current volunteers and encourage others to join
The volume of emails from mailing list subscriptions in the education governance space and managing your inboxes to avoid overload and overwhelm - how to implement filtering practices to determine what to action and when to respond
How organisations can manage their mailing lists and consider different email marketing and email communication strategies - Emailing services implementing stricter regulations
How to take back control - creating and upholding (digital) boundaries; communicating during your own working hours; setting up protected time and space incl. using the Do Not Disturb feature on your devices to manage reactions to notifications
Improving self awareness: Evaluating self, having standards and resetting your habits to make progress forward, incl. learning styles, communication styles, chairing skills
Thank you for tuning into our show. We appreciate you, our listeners.
For today's Single Item Agenda (episode) we are joined by a guest speaker;
Shekeila Scarlett, an Operations Manager for Transport for London and one of the youngest Chair of Governors in the country, governing at the only maintained secondary school in Hackney
To discuss;
Personal experience of the UK education system and the impact on life and career, incl. school bullying, the process of permanent exclusions from the perspective of the child, and appealing decisions at a Pupil Disciplinary Committee (PDC)
Getting exclusion panels right, from the support for the parent and to ensuring representation - improving awareness, accessibility and advocacy
The value of your lived experience and empowering young people to become governors - Why we need to diversify the current age profile of those in education governance space
The journey to becoming a chair of a governing board in education at 26 - different ways of transitioning into the role incl. being an Associate Member, taking on a Co-opted Governor position
From triggers and imposter syndrome to going viral and taking ownership of a new narrative
Thank you for tuning into our show. We appreciate you, our listeners.
For today's Single Item Agenda (episode) we are joined by a guest speaker;
Paula Thorne, currently serving as a parent governor and EDI link governor at a primary school which has recently (as of 2023) received an Ofsted rating of ‘Outstanding’ in all categories
To discuss;
Being and championing parent governors
When Ofsted arrives after over a decade, at the end of an academic year (summer term)
How to prepare for an Ofsted inspection as an individual and as a governing board, including training and being up-to-date on all key areas such as Safeguarding, SEND, Teaching and Learning, Mental Health and well-being
Which and how many governors from the board to involve in an Ofsted visit
Tips for improving language and perceptions in school
Thank you for tuning into our show. We appreciate you, our listeners. *We apologise for the audio quality dipping, for approx. 1min, midway through the episode for our guest.
For today's Single Item Agenda (episode) we discuss;
Attending conferences and events in the Education sector - When and where do they take place? Who organises/hosts/delivers them? What can governors, trustees, clerks and governance professionals, senior leaders and others gain from these?
How governance conferences differ from governor training
Boost your Continuous Professional Development (CPD) and make the most of any opportunity to improve your practices
Your presence whilst in attendance - Toggling between being a public speaker and being a delegate (present to listen and learn)
The value of networking and making connections but understanding your capacity and balance
Thank you for tuning into our show. We appreciate you, our listeners.
For today's Single Item Agenda (episode) we begin Season 4 and a new academic year with a guest speaker;
Nick Hudson, former CEO of Ormiston Academies Trust (OAT), joins us to discuss juggling operational and strategic leadership
What does the role of a CEO of a 40+ schools Multi-Academy Trust look like?
The recruitment process of a MAT Chief Executive - Are there key skills and qualities to keep in mind?
Navigating the communication channels and relationships between all stakeholders, ensuring local governors feel connected within the whole trust - How does the size of the trust and its geographical spread impact this? What are the concerns and benefits of schools joining a trust?
Reflecting on years of service to Education and life after decades in the sector
Thank you for tuning into our show. We appreciate you, our listeners.
Olivia D Hinds (Member of the Joint Advisory Education and Safeguarding Group of a MAT; LGB Committee Chair for Teaching and Learning; Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Link Governor; and Wellbeing Champion)
ADDITIONAL NOTES:
The Governors' Podcast (TGP) is a brand of Education Governance Solutions Limited
Olivia D Hinds (Member of the Joint Advisory Education and Safeguarding Group of a MAT; LGB Committee Chair for Teaching and Learning; Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Link Governor)
ADDITIONAL NOTES:
The Governors' Podcast (TGP) is a brand of Education Governance Solutions Limited
Current release schedule: Term time Wednesdays @ 7am (approx. 1-2 per month).
TGP defines its 'Seasons' by UK academic years (September to July) and episodes are called ‘Agenda Items’.
Artwork and Production - Onevma Limited
Theme Music - Hertz Beats, UK Producer
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