Governance Training 2020/21
This is the Learn Sheffield Governance Training & Development Offer for the 2020/2021 school year. It has been developed further by using the feedback from last year and we are confident that it offers excellent value for money and a comprehensive offer to all schools and academies.
Use the buttons below to navigate the Governor Training Courses.
Overview
This is the Learn Sheffield Governance Training & Development Offer for the 2020/2021 school year. It has been developed further by using the feedback from last year and we are confident that it offers excellent value for money and a comprehensive offer to all schools and academies.
As previously, the offer will be delivered by a wide range of quality assured providers including, amongst others, The National Governance Association (NGA), Teaching Schools, National Leaders of Governance, Universities and Learn Sheffield’s own team. We believe it constitutes an offer by the city to the city, and is an excellent example of Sheffield’s school led system at work.
Booking Places
Booking places for specific sessions is quick and easy. We will continue to take bookings for training via Eventbrite on this website. This enables colleagues to find the session they wish to attend and book a place online. They will then receive a confirmation email and a reminder prior to the training.
Information can also be accessed via the Learn Sheffield website, by phone (0114 250 7417) or by email (governance@learnsheffield.co.uk).
Induction Training
The programme of training sessions below is aimed at new governors and offers a broad and comprehensive overview of the skills and knowledge you will need to quickly get to grips with your new role as a school governor.
The programme is relevant for governors from all phases and settings. The programme aims to support new governors to better understand:
- The role of governing bodies and why they exist
- How to be an effective member of a governing body
- The key roles and responsibilities of governing bodies in contributing to school improvement
- The different and complementary roles of the Headteacher and the governing board
- Roles of different stakeholders and their relationship with the governing board
The course will take place over three 2 hour Zoom sessions and will be led by an experienced National Leader of Governance. Please use Eventbrite links below to book and joining instruction will be emailed out following your sign up.
Induction for New Governors Programme |
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Cohort One Book Now |
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Cohort Two Book Now |
Venue |
Date/Times |
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Venue |
Date/Times |
Online |
Session 1: 17 November 2020 12:00-2.00pm |
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Online |
Session 1: 14 January 2021 12:00-2.00pm |
Session 2: 24 November 2020 12:00-2.00pm |
Session 2: 21 January 2021 12:00-2.00pm |
Session 3: 1 December 2020 12:00-2.00pm |
Session 3: 28 January 2021 12:00-2.00pm |
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Cohort Three Book Now |
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Venue |
Date/Times |
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Online |
Session 1: 4 May 2021 6:00-8.00pm |
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Session 2: 11 May 2021 6:00-8.00pm |
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Session 3: 18 May 2021 6:00-8.00pm |
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Cost – This training is included (no additional cost) if you have subscribed to the Learn Sheffield subscription offer which includes the governance training package. For non-subscribing schools the cost will be £250 per person, which includes all sessions.
Governor & Trustee Induction – E-Learning Programme
The governance training & development offer also includes the following e-Learning induction courses for new governors. These courses can be taken as an alternative to face to face learning, or as a supplement. There are 8 core modules available to study together with more than forty additional modules. The eight core modules are:
- Governance: Your role, your responsibilities, your organisation
- Your organisation: Understanding school structures and what children should learn
- Strategy: Living your values, reaching your vision, managing the risk
- Progress and attainment: using data to improve educational outcomes
- Resources: Making the most of what you’ve got
- Working Together: Building the team and improving the organisation
- Compliance: Assuring your organisation, keeping it safe, secure and solvent
- Effectiveness: Governance making an impact, changing lives
Click here for more details about NGA Learning Link. To access this for the first time contact governance@learnsheffield.co.uk or call 0114 2507417.
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Development Training & Seminars
A programme of training sessions and seminars has been designed to support the development of governors, trustees and board members.
- The training is spread throughout the school year, generally in the form of twilight sessions.
- Courses will generally take place using video conferencing via Zoom.
- Some training will have more than one cohort each year and additional cohorts will be offered where demand is high.
- Many of the options have more than one session to attend – booking online for session one will automatically include booking all of the sessions.
Cost - This training is included if you have subscribed to the Learn Sheffield subscription offer which includes the governance training package. For non-subscribing schools the cost will be £95 per person per session (exceptions to this are Induction Training & Safer Recruitment Training)
Index to Development Training & Seminars
Academy Financial Guidance – The Role of the School Governor |
Course Information
This course will help academy trustees to understand their roles and responsibilities as
far as finance is concerned, specifically relating to the academy funding agreement
and the Academies Financial Handbook which set out the specific responsibilities of the
board of trustees.
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Cohort One Book Now |
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Cohort Two Book Now |
Venue |
Date/Times |
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Venue |
Date/Times |
Online |
Session 1: 2 March 2021 6.00-8.00pm |
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Online |
Session 1: 16 June 2021 6.00-8.00pm |
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Appraisal / Performance Management for Headteachers & Principals |
Course Information
Effective appraisal of the Headteacher is one of the ways that Governing Boards can carry out their roles of providing strategic direction to the school and holding the Headteacher to account.
This course will help those governors who are responsible for the Headteacher’s appraisal by considering:
- the legal requirements;
- Ofsted expectations;
- good practice guidance for the whole process, including choosing and deploying an external adviser, agreeing performance objectives, on-going review of progress and end-of-year review
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Cohort One Book Now |
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Cohort Two Book Soon |
Venue |
Date/Times |
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Venue |
Date/Times |
Online |
Session 1: 4 November 2020 6.00-8.00pm |
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Online |
Session 1: TBC |
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Chair & Vice Chair Development / Effective Leadership |
Course Information
1) The role of the Chair/VC in school leadership:
- building a successful partnership with the Head Teacher and the Senior Leadership Team.
- the need for strategic thinking and avoiding spending time on operational matters.
- building a team of governors that understand the School and its challenges.
The session will be tailored to the participants needs and will be suitable for established and new Chairs and Vice-Chairs.
2) Leading an effective Governing Body:
- how to support governors to become an effective Governing Body.
- balancing challenge & support; holding the Head Teacher and the Senior Leadership Team to account.
- how to establish systems to capture Governor impact and demonstrate good governance to OFSTED.
The session will be tailored to the participants needs and will be suitable for established and new Chairs and Vice-Chairs.
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Cohort One Book Now |
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Venue |
Date/Times |
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Online |
Session 1: 13 January 2021 6.00-8.00pm |
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Session 2: 27 January 2021 6.00-8.00pm |
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Clerk Development (Maintained Schools and Academies) |
Course Information
The role of Clerk to Governors has evolved and developed and is so much more
than preparing meeting agendas and taking minutes. This seminar will explore the
responsibilities of Clerks, the skills needed to undertake the role and good practice
advice, with a focus on the DfE Clerks Competency Framework.
The seminar will be delivered though a presentation and focussed discussion.
The seminar is for Clerks to Governors, those thinking about undertaking the role of
Clerk and governors who would like to learn more about the responsibilities and duties
of Clerks.
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Cohort One Book Now |
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Venue |
Date/Times |
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Online |
Session 1: 9 February 2021 6.00-8.00pm |
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Session 2: 25 February 2021 6.00-8.00pm |
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Governance in Faith Schools |
Course Information
This training is designed to support governors and trustees with the opportunities and
challenges of governance is faith schools. The session will be delivered by a colleague
from the catholic sector who is highly experienced in both school leadership and
governance, but will also have relevance to those who are engaged in governance of
schools in a variety of faith settings.
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Cohort One Book Now |
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Venue |
Date/Times |
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Online |
Session 1: 18 March 2021 6.00-8.00pm |
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Governing Board Self-Evaluation |
Course Information
It is essential for the Governing Board to reflect on its own effectiveness including the
effectiveness of its processes and structures. This will assist in building relationships
and improving accountability, and will enable the board to ensure that there is a clear
distinction between strategic and operational leadership. It will also assist in setting the
tone and culture of the board.
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Cohort One Book Now |
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Venue |
Date/Times |
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Online |
Session 1: 2 February 2021 6.00-8.00pm |
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Governor Responsibilities for Data Protection in Schools (GDPR) |
Course Information
This session will provide governors with an overview of school and governors’ roles
around Data Protection and Freedom of Information against the background of the new
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which came into force in May 2018.
The session will support governors in understanding the school’s responsibilities as
a data controller and will cover best practice in drafting and updating policies and
procedures, managing information risks and also in dealing with information requests
and data breaches.
The session will be delivered by a Certified GDPR Practitioner who acts as a Data
Protection Officer for a number of schools in Sheffield.
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Cohort One Book Now |
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Venue |
Date/Times |
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Online |
Session 1: 10 February 2021 6.00-8.00pm |
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Governors Roles in Exclusions |
Course Information
This course is specifically designed to ensure that governors are able to fulfil the key
role of deciding whether an excluded pupil should be reinstated. Based on schools’
experiences at Independent Review Panel (IRP) meetings over the last 24 months and
with interactive elements, this course aims to set the context of behaviour and exclusions
for governors ensuring that the Governing Body Discipline Committee (GBDC) can
avoid common pitfalls in reviewing a Head teacher’s decision to exclude a pupil.
A detailed and considered review by the GBDC significantly reduces the risk of a
successful challenge at an IRP. By the end of this course you should also be ready to
face the scrutiny of the IRP and able to robustly defend your head teacher’s decision.
You will also gain an overall understanding of the recent changes introduced into the
new statutory guidance dated September 2017.
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Cohort One Book Now |
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Venue |
Date/Times |
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Online |
Session 1: 4 February 2021 5.30-7.30pm |
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Health & Safety Training for School Governors |
Course Information
By the end of this short course, governors will have a clear understanding of the role
of the employer in managing health and safety in school and in particular, the role of
governors. The course will enable governors to gain an understanding of how health
and safety is enforced under current legislation. Governors will also consider the
importance of risk assessment.
The course will also enable governors to understand where they can go for support and
advice in effectively managing health and safety in school.
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Cohort One Book Now |
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Venue |
Date/Times |
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Online |
Session 1: 30 March 2021 4.00-5.30pm |
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Making Sure that Money is Well-spent |
Course Information
This course focuses on the third of the “core functions” of Governing Boards identified by the DfE and Ofsted and uses the Pupil Premium and Sports Premium to illustrate how governors can ensure that resources are used effectively to improve the achievement of pupils and students. The course will help governors to develop good practice in response to this national expectation by considering how to ensure that resources are aligned to strategic priorities. Governors will also be able to reflect on how to identify success criteria for initiatives and projects, how to monitor and evaluate spending and on the use of ‘benchmarking’ to help in identifying cost-effective ways to allocate resources.
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Cohort One Book Now |
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Venue |
Date/Times |
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Online |
Session 1: 10 November 2020 6.00-8.00pm |
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Mental Health Seminar / How Schools Can Support Mental Health and Wellbeing |
Course Information
The importance and profile of issues around mental health and well-being have grown
in recent years and there has been a growing recognition of the role that schools can
play in supporting and promoting positive mental health and well-being, both for pupils
and also for staff. This course will look at the current picture in the children and young
people and will enable governors to consider how best schools can support pupil and
staff mental health. At the end of the course, governors will be equipped to ask the right
questions of senior leaders and ensure that appropriate policies and practices are in
place in schools and academies.
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Cohort One Book Now |
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Venue |
Date/Times |
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Online |
Session 1: 8 March 2021 6.00-8.00pm |
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Ofsted Prep Replacement Course (Primary) |
Course Information
This course will enable governors and trustees to consider their role in monitoring, supporting and challenging school leaders during this school year against the background of the COVID pandemic. It will cover the modified Ofsted monitoring arrangements, monitoring of quality of teaching and curriculum and the approach governors and trustees need to take in balancing short term measures against medium and longer term oversight.
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Cohort One Book Soon |
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Cohort Two Book Soon |
Venue |
Date/Times |
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Venue |
Date/Times |
Online |
Session 1: TBC |
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Online |
Session 1: TBC |
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Ofsted Prep Replacement Course (Secondary) |
Course Information
This course will enable governors and trustees to consider their role in monitoring, supporting and challenging school leaders during this school year against the background of the COVID pandemic. It will cover the modified Ofsted monitoring arrangements, monitoring of quality of teaching and curriculum and the approach governors and trustees need to take in balancing short term measures against medium and longer term oversight.
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Cohort One Book Soon |
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Cohort Two Book Soon |
Venue |
Date/Times |
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Venue |
Date/Times |
Online |
Session 1: TBC |
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Online |
Session 1: TBC |
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Ofsted Prep Replacement Course (Special) |
Course Information
This course will enable governors and trustees to consider their role in monitoring, supporting and challenging school leaders during this school year against the background of the COVID pandemic. It will cover the modified Ofsted monitoring arrangements, monitoring of quality of teaching and curriculum and the approach governors and trustees need to take in balancing short term measures against medium and longer term oversight.
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Cohort One Book Soon |
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Venue |
Date/Times |
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Online |
Session 1: TBC |
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Online Safety Training for Governors |
Course Information
This course will examine what is meant by Online Safety in 2020. It will look at the major safeguarding risks in the online space and correlate them with the concerns and experiences of children and young people in Sheffield. Governors will be introduced to key pieces of research particularly about safeguarding particularly vulnerable young people online and will also look at the requirements for schools and academies in terms of safeguarding guidance. There will also be an opportunity to explore the Sheffield Online Safety Curriculum.
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Cohort One Book Now |
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Venue |
Date/Times |
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Online |
Session 1: 26 January 2021 6.00-8.00pm |
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Pupil Premium Seminar |
Course Information
This course will enable governors to consider the key issues in monitoring the
effectiveness of the school in improving outcomes for disadvantaged pupils, for
whom the school receives extra ‘Pupil Premium’. The course will look at why gaps in
achievement exist and will help governors to understand how academic achievement
of disadvantaged pupils can promote social mobility. The course will help governors
to more effectively monitor the effectiveness of pupil premium spending in the school,
including ensuring that Pupil Premium reports clearly demonstrate that the school is
focusing on the needs of disadvantaged pupils.
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Cohort One Book Now |
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Venue |
Date/Times |
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Online |
Session 1: 4 February 2021
6.00-8.00pm |
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Session 2: 3 March 2021
6.00-8.00pm |
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Responding to Complaints to the Governing Board |
Course Information
All schools will receive concerns or complaints from parents or other stakeholders
at some time. It is important therefore that governors attend training to ensure that
complaints are dealt with appropriately. This course will look at the roles and powers
of the Headteacher and the Governing Board when handling both informal and
formal complaints from parents or other members of the community. This session will
include effective practice in the early stages of a complaint to ensure that it is handled
appropriately in order that it is resolved satisfactorily.
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Cohort One Book Now |
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Venue |
Date/Times |
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Online |
Session 1: 3 December 2020 6.00-8.00pm |
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Safer Recruitment – Accredited Training for School Governors |
Course Information
This Safer Recruitment course is designed for governors who are involved in recruiting people to work in schools. The course will look at the ways we can identify and deter unsuitable candidates whilst embedding safeguarding into the culture of your school.
It is a statutory requirement that all maintained school appointments have at least one person on the recruiting panel who has undertaken this training, schools are expected to demonstrate that this is the case as part of the current Ofsted inspection framework. Academies are also expected to demonstrate their commitment to Safer Recruitment as outlined in the Safeguarding Children and Safer Recruitment in Education 2007. After completing this training, delegates will receive the required statutory accreditation.
Cost - This training is free if you have subscribed to the Learn Sheffield subscription offer which includes the governance training package or if you are a maintained Sheffield school. For non-subscribing schools/academies the cost will be £150 per person.
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Cohort One Book Now |
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Cohort Two Book Now |
Venue |
Date/Times |
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Venue |
Date/Times |
Learn Sheffield |
Session 1: 4 November 2020 9.00-4.15pm |
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This course will now be held via Zoom over 2 sessions |
Session 1: 23 February 2021 9.00am – 12.30pm |
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Session 2: 24 February 2021
9.00am – 12.30pm |
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Cohort Three Book Now |
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Venue |
Date/Times |
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Learn Sheffield |
Session 1: 28 April 2021 9.00-4.15pm |
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Special Educational Needs & the SEND Code of Practice / Inclusive Schools |
Course Information
This course will provide an overview of the SEND code of practice and will enable
governors to gain an understanding of recent changes to the code of practice. The
course will consider the implications for schools of this legislation and provide an
opportunity for governors to discuss and share their response to these expectations.
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Cohort One Book Now |
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Venue |
Date/Times |
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Online |
Session 1: 18 November 2020 6.00-8.00pm |
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Online Learning Package
All subscribers to the Governance Training Offer get access to the NGA Learning Link, which provides online training for governors, trustees, directors, school clerks and school leaders. The platform can be accessed via any online device, including mobile or tablet devices. This package can be purchased for £350pa by non-subscribing schools.
E-LEARNING FOR GOVERNORS, TRUSTEES AND CLERKS
NGA Learning Link is a flexible e-learning solution to help governors, trustees, chairs and clerks develop their
governance skills and knowledge.
Learn Sheffield is working with NGA and Virtual College, one of the UK’s top e-learning providers, to deliver
accessible, engaging and convenient e-learning. NGA Learning Link provides schools with an important insurance
policy to ensure that governors can access vital training as and when they need it. With 24/7 multi-device access to
modules, learning can be completed anytime, anywhere and at any pace to suit you.
Access a catalogue of over 50 interactive online training modules to help you develop your governance skills and
knowledge, covering 11 key areas of governance:
- Structures, roles and responsibilities
- Good governance
- Vision, ethos and strategic direction
- Pupil success and wellbeing
- Collaborating with partners
- Executive leaders
- The best use of resources
- Compliance
- Chairing
- Clerking
- MATs
Benefits include:
- A certificate of achievement with every module
- Secure access, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Multi-device access – desktops, tablets and smartphones
- Tracked learning – revisit content, take a break or pick up where you left off
- A dedicated support service
Coming soon:
- 9 bite-sized modules presented in a variety of formats covering topics containing practical advice, perfect
for refreshing your knowledge on a topic or completing just in time for a visit, panel or meeting
- A new module covering succession planning , which will help learners to understand the importance and
principles of succession planning
For more information about Leading Governance, visit:
http://www.nga.org.uk/LeadingGovernance.aspx
For more information on NGA Learning Link and the courses available, visit:
http://www.nga.org.uk/ConsultancyandTraining/NGA-Learning-Link-e-learning/Learning-Link-modules.aspx
Governors in subscribed schools who want to register to access this resource, visit:
https://nga.vc-enable.co.uk/Register
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Safeguarding Training
We have not included safeguarding training elsewhere in this offer because we would want all Sheffield governors to access their safeguarding training through the Sheffield Children Safeguarding Partnership. This ensures that, in this critical area, there is consistency of message and procedure across the city.
The SCSP Safeguarding Governors Training is required for all Safeguarding Governors and strongly recommended for the Chair of Governors. It is also useful for other members of the Governing Body. It is not the same as the ‘whole-school’ Basic Safeguarding Children in Education Training, although governors are welcome to attend this with their school. The training will use local and national guidance to discuss:
- Definitions of safeguarding children & young people and the Governing Body
Safeguarding Role (this is available on the policies and procedures page for
education settings
- Safeguarding policies and procedures in schools
- Safer schools and safer recruitment and allegations against staff
- Requirements for staff safeguarding training
- Ofsted Inspections
- The Headteacher’s Annual Report to Governors
However, please note: All face to face safeguarding training has been cancelled until further notice. All Safeguarding training courses are being converted to 'virtual' training. All settings will be notified when this is available. You can also follow the link to the Sheffield Children Safeguarding Partnership website for up to date information.
Bespoke Training
Learn Sheffield can provide bespoke governance training for schools and academies. This can include organising for a session in this booklet to be delivered on site or designing and delivering a bespoke session to meet the specific training needs of a governing body or trust boards. This bespoke training is not part of the subscription offer and will therefore carry an additional cost, with the price being dependent on the delivery required. Learn Sheffield can also offer mentorship or consultancy packages to support the development of governance.
Examples of Bespoke Training
- Performance Management / Appraisal.
- Ofsted Preparation.
- Bespoke Training Session.
- Consultancy Session.
- Succession Planning.
- Support for Chairs Package... mentorship package or 1:1 consultancy session.
- Support for Clerks Package... mentorship package or bespoke training packages.
Annual Governance Conference
An annual conference for governors will be organised, which will
have a theme and not include the kind of content that would be
found in a briefing. The purpose of the conference is to inspire and
motivate governors to reflect on their own schools and the wider
educational community. Each subscribing school will receive two tickets for this event as part
of their subscription and have the opportunity to purchase additional tickets. The remaining
tickets will cost £150 and will be available on general sale.
Sheffield Governance Conference
Saturday 26 June 2021, 10.00-12.30pm
‘What is the role of governance in high
quality outcomes for pupils with SEND?’
A conference to consider the priorities for Governing Bodies and Trust Boards at this pivotal time in education.
What is the role of high quality governance in ensuring that
every child receives a world class education?
Keynote Speakers
David Bartram, OBE
As a specialist SEND consultant, David has visited and worked
with over three hundred schools working collaboratively with
London Challenge, the National College and the Department
for Education (DfE). He was Director for SEND at the London
Leadership Strategy, advisor to the Mayor of London’s education
team and currently provides support to a range of teaching school
alliances and local authorities on the strategic development of
SEND provision.
David is author of the SEND Review Guide, a national peer-review
framework that has now been downloaded by over 4000 schools.
He is also editor of Great Expectations, leading an effective SEND
strategy in school.
Maria Constantinou
Maria is a Headteacher and Inclusion Leader at St. Mary’s Primary School in East Barnet, Hertfordshire. Alongside her role at St. Mary’s, she has also been a programme lead and consultant for the London Leadership Strategy, a non-profit organisation led by outstanding head teachers across London. She has worked with head teachers and senior leaders on various programmes nationally, providing practical school to school support resulting in rapid change and school improvement. Much of this work has been through programmes to further develop practice and approaches to SEND. Maria has also worked in an advisory role for the Department of Education to reform National Professional Qualifications for School Leadership and Career Progression for Teachers, and is currently a panel member supporting the development of an evidence based SEND Guidance Report on behalf of the Education Endowment Foundation.
Programme TBC – this conference will be held either online or in person.
Booking Information
To book your place at the conference please use the ‘Book Now’ button where tickets can be reserved.
Governance Training Subscriber Schools - TWO Free places
Non Subscriber School & General Sale - £150 per place
Book Now
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Governance Briefings
Regular briefing sessions which are free to all governors and trustees, are designed to keep everyone involved in governance up to speed. These briefings will summarise key local and national content, so that those involved in governance in Sheffield are well informed and supported.
All briefings will be held via video conferencing until further notice.
Workshop |
Venue |
Dates/Times |
Autumn Term 1
Governance Briefing Governance in COVID times and beyond Emma Knights (CEO NGA)
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Online |
28 September 2020 12.00-1.00pm
Finished
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Autumn Term 2
Governance Briefing Sheffield’s Education Strategy: A Vision for 2030 Abtisam Mohamed (SCC Cabinet Lead Member for Education & Skills), John Macilwraith (Executive Director People Services Portfolio SCC), Andrew Jones (Director of Education & Skills SCC) & Stephen Betts (Learn Sheffield CEO) |
10 December 2020 6.00-7.00pm
Book Now |
Spring Term 1
Governance Briefing School Finance Mark Sheikh & Ofsted Update & RSHE
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TBC
Book Soon |
Spring Term 2
Governance Briefing Inclusion Gateway
Scott Burnside/Ian Read
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TBC
Book Soon |
Summer Term 1
Governance Briefing Mental Health
Zoe Brownlie & Eat Smart Sheffield
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TBC
Book Soon |
Summer Term 2
Governance Briefing COVID Recovery
Sir David Carter & SASGB AGM
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TBC
Book Soon |
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