North Lincolnshire Association of Governing Bodies (NLAGB)

NGA meets with Minister for School Standards

NGA’s CEO, Emma Balchin, and Deputy CEO, Sam Henson, met with Catherine McKinnell MP, who emphasised her commitment to improving outcomes for children and young people. Recognising how closely her mission aligns with NGA’s charitable objectives, she acknowledged governance as essential for supporting government policy changes and reforms.

McKinnell also expressed gratitude for the "city-sized" population of volunteers who generously dedicate their time to governing schools and trusts. She is committed to raising the profile of your vital work and ensuring your voices are included in policymaking discussions.

Sam and Emma look forward to meeting with Minister for Early Education, Stephen Morgan on Monday 20 January to represent your voice and shine a spotlight on the incredible work you do.

Update your records: add your governance professional details on GIAS

Schools and trusts can now add their governance professional details to the Get Information About Schools (GIAS) platform.

This is not a mandatory requirement, but the Department for Education (DfE) are strongly encouraging institutions to add their governance professional’s details. This will allow the DfE to communicate directly with governance professionals and share key information, rather than relying on schools or chairs to pass news along.

System limitations mean it is only possible to add individuals, as opposed to governance service providers. Updates to GIAS can be made in the usual way, with supporting guidance available.

 

How do you collaborate with other schools?

NGA’s latest research seeks to identify how schools collaborate with others outside of the structured framework offered through the multi academy trust (MAT) model.

The short survey will explore these alternative methods, investigating how schools establish and sustain meaningful partnerships, share resources, and align efforts to meet their educational goals.

Fill in the survey now

 

£126 million funding boost in early years support

The government has announced £126 million funding boost to provide support to parents/carers and families in areas with high levels of deprivation focusing on providing needed support.

Alongside the £69 million announced in the budget to support family hubs a further £57 million will be made available to 75 local authorities with high levels of deprivation in 2025 to 2026. This will go towards Start for Life services for families with babies, from pregnancy up to the age of 2 and will include mental health support for families, infant feeding services and ensuring access and understanding of local Start for Life services for parents and carers.

Progress will be measured through 75% of five year olds reaching a good level of development in the early years foundation stage assessment by 2028.

Janet Daby, Minister for Children and Families, said that “investment in these crucial services will break down barriers to opportunity, support families and get a record proportion of children ready for school”.

 

Spring webinar series: your guide to governance success at every level

21 January – Webinar: Disadvantage – Widening the lens

Explore strategies for breaking barriers in SEND, pupil premium, and more. 

4 February - Navigating the Culture of Ofsted: Empowering Governance Amidst Change

Gain clarity on Ofsted’s evolving role and learn how to empower boards to focus on long-term school improvement.

12 March – Webinar: School exclusions: compliance and best practice for governing boards

Explore the governing board's critical role in managing and reducing exclusions.

8 April – Webinar: Achieving Inclusion in a Multi-Academy Trust

Actionable strategies for fostering inclusion across multi-academy trust structures.

 

👉 Stay informed, connected, and ready to lead—register today!

 

DfE awards £1 million to edtech companies to reduce teacher workload

The DfE has awarded £1 million to edtech companies to create artificial intelligence (AI) technologies that will assist in marking and generating tailored feedback for students. This aims to reduce the administrative burden of teaching and according to developers, the tools could reduce the time teachers spend on formative assessment by as much as 50% allowing more time for delivering lessons.

The new tools, expected to be produced by April 2025, will draw on a first-of-its-kind AI store of data to ensure accuracy. This in turn can increase feedback accuracy from 62% to 92%, meaning teachers can be assured the tools are safe and reliable for classroom use. 

Bridget Phillipson, Secretary of State for Education, said that through “harnessing the potential of AI” that “we can get teachers at the front of classrooms doing what they do best – teaching.”

Read NGA's Governing Matters article on how technology can play a role in helping children learn.

 

The proportion of pupils passing GCSE resits in English language falls

Only 34.9% of students aged 17-19 achieved a grade 4 or higher in the November 2024 GCSE English language resits; this has dropped significantly from 40.3% in 2023. The pass rate fell across all age groups, according to data published by the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ).

Despite this, the gender gap in pass rates for 17 and 18-year-olds narrowed slightly. While percentage of candidates passing GCSE maths resits has risen slightly, from 22.2% in November 2023 to 23.6%. 

The Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) has repeated its call for the resit policy, which requires pupils who did not achieve a pass grade in English and maths to resit at post-16, to be scrapped, describing the process as “humiliating”.

Celebrating governance excellence in the New Year

As we enter the new year, NGA celebrates the exceptional dedication of school and trust governance volunteers and professionals honoured in the King’s New Year Honours list.

Special congratulations to Ruth Agnew, MBE, and Helen Wardale, MBE, for their invaluable contributions as part of our National Leaders of Governance (NLG) community.

Speaking about the awards, Emma Balchin, NGA chief executive, said “these honourees exemplify the unwavering commitment to education that defines those in governance roles. Their recognition highlights the contribution governance makes in shaping a brighter, more equitable future for the next generation.”

Read our news page for Emma’s full comment and the complete list of governors, trustees and governance professionals honoured this year. 

 

Do you and your board know how to keep your pupils safe?

If you can’t answer the title question with a confident yes, then now may be the time to review your safeguarding training.

All governors and trustees must receive appropriate safeguarding training, forming part of each board’s induction programme, taking place regularly thereafter and tailored to governance in your particular setting. NGA offers different options:

Bespoke live training to help governing bodies understand safeguarding theory, practice, and their role in pupil safety. Tailored to the school or trust setting, and participants' level of understanding, it can be delivered in person or remotely. Available for individual boards, local authorities, multi-academy trusts, and other organisations.

NGA’s Essential Safeguarding Learning Link module sets out how boards in different settings can fulfil their safeguarding obligations, including useful questions to ask, along with practical approaches and templates.

 

To find out more information or to commission training email NGA’s head of training paul.aber@nga.org.uk

 

Spring into action: NGA governance events

 

January

Tuesday 21 – Webinar: Disadvantage – Widening the lens

Explore strategies for breaking barriers in SEND, pupil premium, and more. 

Wednesday 29  – Governance Leadership Forum: The heart of education - uniting schools, families and communities

Discover how schools, families, and communities can unite for better education outcomes.

 

February

Tuesday 4 - Navigating the Culture of Ofsted: Empowering governance amidst change

Gain clarity on Ofsted’s evolving role and learn how to empower boards to focus on long-term school improvement.

Wednesday 12 – MAT Network

Six Months In: Where next for MATs under our new government?

 

March

Monday 3 – Local Associations Network

Share successes, challenges, or learn how to establish a local association in your area.

Wednesday 12 – Webinar: School exclusions: compliance and best practice for governing boards

Explore the governing board's critical role in managing and reducing exclusions.

Wednesday 19 – Young Governors Network

Come and network with your peers to discuss all things governance in a lively setting.

Wednesday 26 – Thursday 27 – Governance Professionals Conference

Two days of expert-led sessions, networking, and invaluable insights.

 

DfE report: School leavers have poor understanding of climate change

Just over a quarter (27%) of year 11 pupils said they did not know how much the climate has warmed according to the latest research from the Department for Education (DfE) on climate literacy amongst school leavers.

The report also found that while 55% of school leavers had been taught about climate change in the past year, 10% could not recall when they had last received lessons on the subject, raising concerns about the consistency and effectiveness of climate change education.

Despite the knowledge gaps, the majority of pupils (79%) expressed concern about climate change, with nearly eight in ten reporting they were either “very” or “fairly” concerned about the future of the planet.

In response to the report, a DfE spokesperson said they are “determined that the curriculum and assessment system will change so that every child has the tools they need to achieve and thrive.”

The Royal Meteorological Society are hosting the survey for 2025 and we encourage you to share the survey with your schools and trusts if they teach year 11.

 

Shining a spotlight on governance: Learn Sheffield

We’re thrilled to share an inspiring new video from the fantastic team at Learn Sheffield, created as part of their governance engagement project.

This exceptional resource showcases the vital role of governance, what it means to those who serve, and how we can attract more talented individuals to these essential positions.

Recruitment challenges remain a significant concern. Our latest Annual Governance Survey revealed that 76% of respondents find it challenging to recruit new governors and trustees, with 44% of boards nationally reporting two or more vacancies—a record high.

This video and the broader project set an excellent example of how we can work together to raise the visibility of governance and inspire others to join these critical roles.

 

EPI report: disadvantage gap varies across England

Disadvantaged children in London are outperforming disadvantaged children in the rest of England from early years to post-16. This is according to new research published by the Education Policy Institute (EPI) investigating local authorities’ disadvantage gaps, and their progress in closing it during their school life span.

The research also reveals that disadvantaged pupils face increasing challenges in catching up as they progress through the education system. Some areas show improvement by age 11, but fewer successfully support catch-up in secondary school.

EPI calls for the government to prioritise early intervention in the early years and primary education to prevent gaps from emerging, but they must also continue support throughout secondary school to prevent the gap from widening further.

Drawing on the third iteration of our guidance and toolkits, Disadvantage: Widening the Lens, sign up for NGA’s webinar happening Tuesday, 21 January, that will explore the challenges faced by pupils with SEND and those living in poverty.

 

Enhance your governance skills

This spring, are you ready to strengthen your leadership and governance skills? NGA’s Leading Governance programmes provide tailored development for every role:

• Development for Chairs: Gain the tools to lead confidently and ensure effective governance for your MAT, SAT, maintained school or local governing body
• Development for MAT Trustees: Practical workshops to deepen your knowledge and make a lasting impact on your multi-academy trust.
• Clerking Essentials: Build a strong foundation for success as a governance professional in any school or trust setting.
• Development for Clerks: Advance your career with NGA’s accredited programme for any setting, designed to refine your expertise and professional skills.

Invest in your leadership journey and make a lasting impact in your role.

Now open for applications: Early adopter scheme for free breakfast clubs

Primary schools can now express interest to join the Department for Education's (DfE) early adopter scheme and become one of up to 750 schools funded to offer free, universal breakfast clubs starting in April 2025.
 
The clubs will provide additional childcare options and aim to help children begin their day ready to learn, positively impacting behaviour, attendance and attainment.
 
The £30million funding announced in the Autumn Budget will fund the breakfast clubs for a year from April 2025, as well as continue to support the schools currently providing the National School Breakfast Programme.
 

Rise in the number of suspensions and permanent exclusions

The number of suspensions and exclusions have increased by 40% and 34% respectively. This is according to autumn term DfE data for 2023/24.

The data highlights a continuation in the concerning trend of increased incidents of challenging behaviour in schools, with persistent disruptive behaviour accounting for 50% of the reasons given. According to the report, there are “more pupils being suspended, and more frequently”.

NGA has produced guidance on effective behaviour management to support governing boards to collaborate with school leaders to create supportive, safe and inclusive learning environments. Also see our minimising exclusions e-learning module to ensure that suspensions and exclusion cases in your school are minimised.
 

All-Party Parliamentary Group Excellence in School Food Awards 2024-25

The All-Party Parliamentary Group Excellence in School Food Awards 2024-25 recognise excellence in innovation, individual commitment and provides an opportunity for those working within school food a chance to step forward and shine. The three categories for this year's awards are:

• Groups
• Individuals
• Schools

The submission must be made by an MP. Details on the awards, including how to enter and a template letter for your MP can be found here.

The submission deadline is 3pm on Thursday 12 December 2024. 
Finalists of the awards will receive substantial publicity, both nationally and locally, with the winners announced at an awards ceremony held at Oulton Hall, Leeds on 30 and 31 January 2025.

To find out more about the governing board’s role on ensuring a great whole school food offer, check out our latest e-learning module developed in partnership with the Department for Education (DfE).
 

DfE research: SEND delays making children more vulnerable to serious youth violence

Delays in determining SEND needs and releasing plans for schooling, health, and care "are making youngsters more exposed" to serious teenage violence and “putting them at higher risk.” This is according to the latest multi-agency DfE research where, of the 36 children tracked in detail, only five had no additional support needs.

The research also revealed that some children had to wait at least two years for a neurodevelopmental evaluation, and in one place, children had to then wait ten years to access services. Inspectors were also concerned about the waiting times for speech and language evaluations, noting that delays "may reduce their ability to engage with and help children who are being harmed".

Read NGA’s SEND toolkit, part of our Widening the lens on disadvantage project, designed to help governing boards explore what disadvantage means in your context and to identify pupil groups who may need additional support.
 

Essential NGA events: Engage, empower, excel

4 December
Governance Professionals Network
Join peers to share best practice, discuss challenges, and enhance skills.

11 December
MAT Webinar: Harnessing the power of local governance
Learn strategies to leverage local governance for improvement and accountability across your trust.

21 January
Webinar: Disadvantage – Widening the lens
Explore governance strategies for breaking barriers in SEND and pupil premium with NGA experts.

29 January
Governance Leadership Forum: The heart of education - uniting schools, families and communities
Discover how schools, families, and communities can unite for better education outcomes.
 
See all our upcoming events here.
 

Could you benefit from NGA’s MAT governance restructuring service?

Has your multi academy trust (MAT) recently grown or does your current governance structure feel inefficient? These are ideal opportunities to reflect on and review the governance structure of your MAT.

Typically conducted alongside or following an external review of governance (ERG), the MAT restructuring service leverages NGA consultants' in-depth knowledge of your organisation and governance practices to collaboratively develop recommendations on topics such as:

• Is the scheme of delegation appropriate?
• Are committee structures effective?
• Is there sufficient standardisation of local governance?
• Is there adequate support for local governors?
• Is local governance effective?
• Are board reports meeting the board’s needs?

To discuss how our consultancy team could help you please email us at consultancy@nga.org.uk.
 

Edurio guidance: best practice for managing staff workload

Based on national data and interviews with 18 leaders from eight high performing trusts, Edurio has published new guidance that offers strategies to help improve staff workload in schools and trusts.

The guide aims to help you:

1. Implement trust-wide workload management strategies
2. Set communication boundaries
3. Implement flexible working options
4. Streamline collaborative planning
5. Foster a culture of support and gratitude

Download your copy here.
 

Youth Sport Trust awards - only two weeks left to nominate

The Youth Sport Trust Awards 2025 celebrate exceptional contributions by schools, settings and leaders in improving student wellbeing through PE, sport and physical activity.

This year, Youth Sport Trust (YST) will recognise excellence in seven categories:

• Outstanding Early Years Practice
• Outstanding Multi-Academy Trust Practice
• Outstanding Primary Practice
• Outstanding Secondary Practice
• Outstanding Inclusive Practice
• Outstanding Contribution to Your Place
• Campbell Award – Network Leader / Local Influencer Award

Nominations close on Friday 13 December. Celebrate your organisation's achievements or shine a spotlight on someone exceptional. Click below for full details on how to nominate, review the judging criteria and submit your entry!

Event Details:
The Awards Dinner will be held on Tuesday 25 March 2025, at the Telford International Centre, followed by the Youth Sport Trust Conference on Wednesday 26 March 2025.
 

EPI Report: Isolated schools missing out on leadership talent

A new Education Policy Institute (EPI) report highlights how supporting isolated schools could help unlock teacher talent nationwide.

The research reveals that headteachers and aspiring leaders often work within 'communities,' where leadership moves occur within established networks. ‘Isolated’ schools, disconnected from these networks, miss out on the expertise and best practices of the most talented leaders.

The North West has the highest proportion of isolated primary schools at 20%, while the West Midlands, East of England, and South East each account for around 15% of isolated secondary schools. The research also found that highly effective headteachers are less likely to move to low-performing or disadvantaged schools.

The reports' recommendations include the need to support isolated schools and incentivise staff movement towards disadvantaged communities. Our recent report The Mature MAT Model highlights how the multi-academy model can help to deliver this support when harnessed effectively.
 

Are you interested in joining our team?

NGA is recruiting consultants
NGA is the leading nationwide provider of governance consultancy, training and support. We owe much of our success to the professional expertise and dedication of our team of consultants.
 
Due to increased demand for our quality assured consultancy and training services we are growing our team.

We are looking for governance consultants committed to helping others to improve governance who have experience of MAT governance and are also able to confidently deliver training, both face-to-face and virtually. In particular, we need consultants who are based in the following regions:

• South East (Brighton and Hove, East Sussex, West Sussex, Kent and Medway)
• South West (Cornwall, Devon, Torbay, Plymouth and Somerset)
• North East plus East Riding, Kinston upon Hull, York and North Yorkshire

To find out more, visit our careers page where you will find the role description and details of how to apply.

Are you a governor or trustee under 40?

Join our informal online networking event for governors and trustees under the age of 40 on Tuesday 26 November where you can share and reflect on your experiences with others.
 
We will be joined by Ryan Clifford, who will talk about his position as a chair of a multi academy trust including quelling the stigma of age being a barrier to a successful leadership, conflict management, the importance of asking important questions and challenging bad practice.

Join us at this online event by registering on our website.
 
 

New: Updated Gatsby Benchmarks

The Gatsby Foundation have published updated ‘Gatsby Benchmarks for good careers’ guidance. Following a review of the benchmarks ten years after their initial release, the report explores what good careers guidance looks like now and how schools and trusts can deliver careers guidance for the next ten years.

With more than 90% of schools and colleges now measuring their careers provision using the eight Gatsby Benchmarks, the new updates follow extensive research and ideas from stakeholders including NGA members and schools, aiming to clarify, refine and strengthen their existing solid foundation.

Read NGA’s guidance on how your board can meet its statutory duties relating to careers guidance, by supporting and challenging your school or trust to meet the Gatsby Benchmarks

Read the new Gatsby report and updated benchmarks.
 
 

School based nursery capital grant update

The Department for Education (DfE) has provided information and guidance on the bidding process, nursery design, and the benefits of school-based nurseries in a series of recently hosted webinars. They are aimed towards schools interested in applying for a capital grant, and local authorities and responsible bodies supporting school applications. The webinars are available to view by clicking on the following links:

• Schools
• Local authorities

For more information and the opportunity to ask questions before the application window closes on 19 December, sign up to the next webinar, taking place on Thursday 28 November 2pm for schools, academy trusts and local authorities.

The school-based nurseries capital grant guidance has been updated to address frequently asked questions, including:

• Eligibility criteria
• Role of local authorities
• Cost considerations
• Application process

The DfE has also produced general guidance on establishing school-based nursery provision.

If you have any questions, queries can be raised through the department’s customer help portal.
 
 

Impact evaluation published: London Mayor’s universal primary free school meals

An evaluation of the London Mayor’s Universal Primary Free School Meals (UPFSM) policy has highlighted significant benefits for families and children. The report, More than a Meal, found that 84% of parents and carers surveyed said the policy has helped or significantly helped household finances.

The findings also show a positive impact on parents’ mental health, with 45% reporting reduced worry about passing financial concerns to their children. Additionally, 33% of parents felt that access to a filling, healthy lunch helps their children concentrate better in lessons.

However, some schools struggle to cater adequately for pupils with medical, cultural or religious dietary needs, meaning certain groups, often the most marginalised, have not yet fully benefited from the policy, with some missing out altogether.

NGA has partnered with the DfE to develop a new e-learning module, providing governing boards with essential guidance on school food standards and best practices.
 
 

Upcoming NGA events: Connect, learn, and lead

Explore dynamic sessions tailored to governors, trustees and governance professionals. From peer networks to focused webinars, gain insights and strategies to excel.

4 December
Governance Professionals Network
Connect with fellow governance professionals to share best practices, discuss current challenges, and enhance your skills. This network is vital for those looking to refine their governance expertise and support their boards effectively.
 
11 December
MAT Webinar: Harnessing the power of local governance
Explore strategies to leverage local governance for multi-academy trusts. Learn how effective local governance can drive school improvement and ensure accountability across your trust.
 
21 January
Webinar: Disadvantage – Widening the lens
Join NGA experts Rani Kaur and Fiona Fearon to explore governance strategies for breaking barriers in SEND and pupil premium.
 
See all our upcoming events here.  
 
 

Teacher’s wellbeing negatively affected by pupil and parent behaviour

82% of staff that have seen an increase in challenging behaviour from pupils said this has negatively affected their mental health. This is according to the Education Support’s annual Teacher wellbeing index. The report also revealed that 70% of staff reported similar negative feelings following higher levels of challenging interactions with parents.

NGA’s annual governance survey 2023 echo these findings with 68% of governors and trustees reporting an increase in challenging behaviour from pupils in their school or trust.

Sinead Mc Brearty, Chief Executive of Education Support, called the findings “disturbing” and that the impact on teachers' mental health is “profound” pointing to “deeper societal problems that extend beyond our schools and colleges”.  

One recommendation to improve behaviour included a multi-stakeholder approach to revising and renewing the social contract across communities, helping parents, educators and children to align around co-produced aspirations for young lives and learning.

Read guidance on improving staff wellbeing, aiding you in creating a culture of wellbeing within your school or trust.
 
 

IFS report: Cuts to youth clubs have affected GCSE grades

The Institute for Fiscal Studies has found that teenagers whose nearest youth club was closed did worse in school, with those on free school meals achieving on average one whole grade lower in their GCSEs.

Analysis also found that the closure of youth clubs led to a 14% increase in criminal activity, with crime rates among 10 to 17-year-olds. It is suggested that the societal costs of closing youth clubs outweigh the savings, estimating that for every £1 saved, society incurs nearly £3 in costs.

NGA’s Annual Governance Survey 2024 highlights how societal pressures are being passed onto schools and trusts, with 51% of governors and trustees reporting a rise in the additional services they now offer.

Read our Widening the lens on disadvantage guidance to explore what disadvantage means in your context and identify pupil groups who may need additional support.
 
 

Flexible working webinar

NGA are working with Capita, the DfE’s flexible working partners, to deliver a webinar on ‘The governance role in flexible working’ on Thursday 28 November.

Book onto this free webinar to hear NGA's chief executive, Emma Balchin, discuss the prevalence and benefits of flexible working, how boards can promote and support greater employee flexibility, and share examples of effective governance practice working alongside senior leaders in schools and trusts.
 
 

Specialist teaching assistant pathway

A new government funded progression pathway has opened for teaching assistants in SEND, emotional wellbeing, and curriculum provision. The specialist teaching assistant apprenticeship aims to provide support staff with the opportunity to expand their knowledge and skills to provide greater support to pupils as well as advance in their career.

Jo Pountney, Director of Educational and Sporting Futures, who co-designed the apprenticeship said “This new standard marks a significant milestone in recognising and elevating the vital role of teaching assistants”.
 
 

Are you interested in joining our team?

NGA is recruiting consultants

NGA is the leading nationwide provider of governance consultancy, training and support. We owe much of our success to the professional expertise and dedication of our team of consultants.

Due to increased demand for our quality assured consultancy and training services we are growing our team.

We are looking for governance consultants committed to helping others to improve governance who have experience of multi academy trusts governance and are also able to confidently deliver training, both face-to-face and virtually. In particular, we need consultants who are based in the following regions:

• South East (specifically: Brighton and Hove, East Sussex, West Sussex, Kent and Medway)
• South West (specifically: Cornwall, Devon, Torbay, Plymouth and Somerset)
• North East plus East Riding, Kinston upon Hull, York and North Yorkshire

To find out more, visit our careers page where you will find the role description and details of how to apply.
 

National Audit Office SEND report: Special education system is ‘failing’

The special educational needs (SEN) system is financially unsustainable unless reformed according to findings published this week by the National Audit Office (NAO). The report assessing the effectiveness of support for children and young people with SEN in England highlights significant financial pressures, with increased high-needs funding not translating into better outcomes.
Despite a 58% real-terms funding increase from 2014-15 to 2024-25, local authorities (LAs) are reported to be overspending, contributing to deficits in their dedicated schools grant (DSG). A statutory override allowing LAs to remove deficits from main budgets will expire in 2026, with 43% of LAs projected to have significant deficits.
The report also points to low parental confidence due to insufficient capacity and long waiting times and calls for better planning to meet future capacity needs.
NGA agrees that ‘if unreformed, the SEN system is financially unsustainable’. Although increased funding will go some way to addressing this, a more comprehensive reform of funding and the wider system, including beyond education to health and social care too, is needed.
Visit NGA’s news page for the full response.

Have your say: NGA’s response to the STRB consultation on teachers' pay and conditions for 2025-26

NGA will be providing a written response to the School Teachers’ Review Body (STRB) consultation on teachers’ pay and conditions for next academic year. This follows the remit letter sent by Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, to the body at the end of last month.

Help shape our response by completing this short survey on your views so that we can best represent NGA members to government.

 

School meals in England in need of “urgent investment and reform”

Experts are calling for urgent investment and reform in England's school food system after research highlighted that underfunding is compromising meal quality and pushing some schools into deficit.

Research published by School Food Matters has revealed the government’s funding of £2.53 per meal falls short of the actual cost, which is estimated at £3.16. The gap has led to schools relying more on pre-prepared and ultra-processed foods and struggling with recruitment, retention, and kitchen investment.

The report recommends raising the per-meal funding to £3.16 as well as implementing auto-enrolment for free school meals nationwide to improve economies of scale.

Founder and Chief Executive at School Food Matters has urged the government to adopt the recommended funding rate, adding “This is a fantastic opportunity to set the tone and move closer towards Labour’s manifesto pledge of ‘creating the healthiest generation ever’."

NGA has published guidance to support governing boards in ensuring schools and trusts embed a positive whole school food culture.

 

DfE publishes new pay scales for teachers and leaders

The Department for Education (DfE) has confirmed the new pay scales for 2024-25, following the government’s decision to implement a 5.5% salary increase for teachers and school leaders.

The government has committed £1.2 billion to help schools manage the additional costs. However, the STRB has estimated the full-year cost of these pay rises to be around £1.65 billion.

The DfE has stated that schools will need to use some of their own budgets to cover the funding shortfall. While local authority-maintained schools are required to adhere to these pay scales, academies and free schools have the flexibility to set their own.

NGA has published a range of guidance on how those governing in a range of settings can fulfil their responsibilities in relation to pay.

 

NGA’s external review of governance

Have you considered commissioning an external review of governance (ERG)?

We provide supportive ERGs for all schools, trusts and boards. Our ERGs baseline your current practices and provide guidance on how to improve your governance practices as well as providing reassurance where your practices are strong.  We work with you to ensure those governing know how to move their governance forward.  Here are a couple of testimonials from delighted clients:

“The consultant really took the time to understand our context which has made the recommendations in the report relevant and helpful to our next steps. The external perspective has helped to clarify our thinking and will provide the outline for our action plan to further improve our practice.”

“After 10 years as an academy trust we found that the NGA consultants' insights and helpful recommendations were transformative.”

To discuss how our ERG service could help you, please contact us at consultancy@nga.org.uk

 

End the year on a high note with NGA’s key events in November and December

Get ready for a dynamic end to the year with NGA’s final events! From the Annual Address and AGM to insightful seminars, webinars, and essential networking opportunities, these sessions will equip you with fresh strategies to enhance governance and leadership.

Annual seminars:

• 11 November – Schools at the heart of society: Defining the role of schools in 2024 and beyond
• 12 November – Architects of culture and excellence: How good governance cultivates an exceptional workplace
• 13 November – Governance for growth: Crafting accountability systems that drive ambition and sustainability
• 15 November Annual Address and AGM

Other events:

• NEW - 19 November Navigating AI: Essentials for School Governance webinar - NEW
• 26 November Young Governors Network
• 04 December Governance Professionals Network
• 11 December MAT Webinar: Harnessing the power of local governance

See all our upcoming events here

 

Disadvantaged pupils more likely to experience maths anxiety

When faced with a new maths topic, one in four (26%) year 6 pupils from lower-income families express anxiety. This is according to data reported by Axiom Maths who are examining how disadvantage contributes to pupils’ loss of interest in maths during the secondary transition.

The report also found that half of pupils from lower-income families who receive high SAT scores in maths, also experience a sharp drop in their academic performance by the time they sit their GCSEs. This is in contrast to pupils from wealthier households who were more likely to report feeling inspired and engaged when they encounter new maths topics.

Raising standards for all pupils requires a clear and targeted approach. NGA has published guidance and a range of toolkits that assist governing boards in defining disadvantage in their particular setting and identifying and supporting pupil groups who most likely to be impacted by educational disadvantage.

 

NGA’s AGM – we need your votes!

Our AGM will be taking place online on Friday 15 November 2024. As such, all voting will happen beforehand with no option to do so on the day. We value your feedback and need your votes to help us shape priorities and further improve the effectiveness of governing boards. Your voice also aids our efforts to champion school governance in the sector and beyond.

To vote, please visit our AGM page, where you’ll find our ballot form. Please complete and return it to vote@nga.org.uk by 5pm on Thursday 7 November 2024.

 

New research: Concerns as homophobic language increases

Research by Just Like Us found that 78% of primary school children have heard homophobic language, often used as a “joke”, with many children citing social media platforms as the place they have heard homophobic language being used.

The report highlights the importance of educating young people about the harmful impact of homophobic language. Laura Mackay, Chief Executive of Just Like Us, said that the findings are “deeply concerning” and highlighted the “urgent need for education and open dialogue about the impact of homophobic language.”

To support schools in addressing this issue, the charity has created free resources. School boards play a crucial role in ensuring their schools and trusts are safe and welcoming spaces for all by implementing clear policies, training, promoting a positive culture, and fostering open communication.

 

Research on teacher retention

Staff views of leadership play a pivotal role in the satisfaction and retention of school staff, according to a research paper published by the UCL Social Research Institute and ImpactEd Group.

Based on data from more than 4,000 members of school staff in England, the research showed that improvement in staff views of the leadership team was linked to a linear increase in job satisfaction. It also found that staff with poor views of leadership in November were more likely to leave by the end of the academic year.

Commenting, ImpactEd group director Dr Chris Wilson said the predictive factors found in the study “should be seen as a powerful new tool in the school improvement armour, as the sector seeks to retain the best talent in our classrooms.”

 

NGA and the Schools and Academies Show

Just four weeks to go until the Schools and Academies Show (SAAS)!  We are excited to partner with the SAAS to bring you the Governance Trail - your essential source for the latest insights and updates for governors, trustees, and governance professionals.

Key themes include managing school finances, enhancing efficiency and driving school improvement. You will have the opportunity to tailor your day to meet your specific needs.

The event will offer:

• Practical solutions: Access hours of content dedicated to addressing the pressing issues facing senior leaders today, from navigating financial challenges to benchmarking spending patterns.
• Expert insights: Engage with industry-leading speakers who will share invaluable insights to inspire tangible changes within your school.
• Networking opportunities: Connect with over 4,000 attendees, 200 exhibitors and 200 speakers to exchange ideas and best practices.
• CPD accreditation: Benefit from early CPD accreditation to enhance your professional development and remain at the forefront of your field.

Register today and secure your free place!

Have your say: Help shape NGA’s response to the STRB consultation on teachers' pay and conditions for 2025-26

The Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, has published the remit letter to the School Teachers’ Review Body (STRB) asking for recommendations on teachers’ pay and conditions for next year. This includes any increase that should be made to the pay ranges for teachers and leaders in the 2025-26 academic year as well as an assessment of any changes to flexibility around teaching and learning responsibility (TLR) payments.

NGA will be providing a written response to the STRB consultation. Complete this short survey to provide us with your views so that we can best represent our members in our response.

 

DfE offers funding for primary schools to expand on-site nursery provision

Between 17 October and 19 December 2024, state-funded primary schools can apply for up to £150,000 in capital funding to create or expand on-site nurseries. With a total of £15 million available, the funding aims to support up to 300 schools. Nurseries can be managed by the school or delivered by private, voluntary providers or childminders, catering to any early years age group where there is local demand.

Schools must demonstrate how their proposals meet local childcare needs and ensure their local authority approves the use of surplus space for nursery provision. Schools not yet ready to apply can register interest for future phases, helping the DfE gauge demand across the country.

For more details, schools can refer to the School-Based Nursery Capital Grant guidance and the school-based nurseries explainer on the DfE’s Education Hub. The DfE will also host webinars on Tuesday 5th November and Thursday 28th November 2024 for further information and support.

 

Executive appraisal support

It’s not too late to commission NGA to support your board with the headteacher, principal or CEO annual appraisal meeting. Our consultants are qualified to be the independent educational advisor to your executive performance management committee. Our consultants help you interpret your organisation’s strategic goals into meaningful and measurable annual objectives for the headteacher or CEO. They will also guide you on how to review your executive’s performance against last year’s targets and considerations when awarding a pay increase.

Contact consultancy@nga.org.uk for more information on how we can support you.

You can also find out more about performance management of your executive in our latest guidance.

Shaping tomorrow's schools: November’s Annual Address and AGM - Driving the future of education

As we move towards the end of 2024, NGA’s Annual Address and AGM is your opportunity to reflect on the impact of governance in shaping the future of education. Join us on 15 November to hear from NGA's board of trustees and executive leadership as they outline the highlights of the past year and share the strategic vision for the year ahead.

The Annual Address will also feature a review of key governance trends, challenges, and opportunities in the sector. This event is essential for anyone committed to steering schools and trusts towards a more impactful, innovative, and sustainable future.

Alongside this, don’t miss out on our thought-provoking November seminars designed to equip governors and trustees with the knowledge to lead with impact.

• 11 November – Schools at the heart of society: Defining the role of schools in 2024 and beyond
• 12 November – Architects of culture and excellence: How good governance cultivates an exceptional workplace
• 13 November – Governance for growth: Crafting accountability systems that drive ambition and sustainability

See all our upcoming events here.

 

Shaping tomorrow's schools: November’s Annual Address and AGM - Driving the future of education

As we move towards the end of 2024, NGA’s Annual Address and AGM is your opportunity to reflect on the impact of governance in shaping the future of education. Join us on 15 November to hear from NGA's board of trustees and executive leadership as they outline the highlights of the past year and share the strategic vision for the year ahead.

The Annual Address will also feature a review of key governance trends, challenges, and opportunities in the sector. This event is essential for anyone committed to steering schools and trusts towards a more impactful, innovative, and sustainable future.

Alongside this, don’t miss out on our thought-provoking November seminars designed to equip governors and trustees with the knowledge to lead with impact.

• 11 November – Schools at the heart of society: Defining the role of schools in 2024 and beyond
• 12 November – Architects of culture and excellence: How good governance cultivates an exceptional workplace
• 13 November – Governance for growth: Crafting accountability systems that drive ambition and sustainability

See all our upcoming events here.

 

New research: Post pandemic absences in England

Unauthorised absences at secondary schools are about 80% higher than they were before Covid, despite a decline in the overall absence rate. This is according an analysis of DfE data carried out by the Education Policy Institute (EPI). The attendance gap is also widening since children with SEND experienced "a smaller decline in absence rates than others.”

Parents are expressing their concerns that the pandemic has increased their caution of spreading illnesses, making them more cautious about keeping their children in school. These findings follow research published by the DfE, which found that parents view absences as “manageable” without considering the potential wider consequences in a post-Covid world.

NGA has published guidance to help boards understand their role in developing an attendance policy, reviewing attendance data, and improving outcomes for all pupils.

 

Tes SEND Report 2024

Four out of five schools lack sufficient funding to meet the needs of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), according to the Tes SEND Report 2024.

The report also revealed delays within the educational, health and care plan (EHCP) application process, with the entire process often exceeding six months to complete. In 36% of schools, the wait for a response from their local authority exceeds the recommended 20-week timeframe. After this extended wait, three in five receive less than 50% of the funding they had requested.

The most frequent explanation given for this outcome is that the local authority believes the identified level of support can be delivered at a lower cost than proposed.

Governors and trustees have a duty to consider SEND in all their decisions to ensure positive outcomes for the entire school community. NGA’s SEND monitoring and evaluation tool provides a structured approach to help governing boards meet their responsibilities.

 

Parent survey highlights concerns over school attendance and cost of living

New research has found that while 75% of parents agree that "every day at school matters," more than half believe it's ok to take children out of school for a term-time holiday. The 2024 National Parent Survey, conducted by Parentkind and drawing on over 5,000 responses, highlights the tensions parents face when balancing school attendance with family priorities.

The findings also reveal the continued impact of the cost of living crisis, which is affecting families across the UK. One in four parents reported going into debt each month just to cover basic expenses. Nearly half of those surveyed expressed concerns over the cost of school uniforms and school trips.

Parentkind’s Chief Executive, Jason Elsom, responded to the findings, stating, “Many parents are struggling to make ends meet," and has called on ministers to "listen to what parents are saying when it comes to making family life cheaper".

Government expands attendance support

The government has announced £15 million to fund a further specialist attendance mentor programme. In this programme, persistently absent pupils will be supported over a 12—to 20-week period and will have a specific plan to help them.

The programme aims to support 10,000 more children and cover ten additional areas with some of the worst attendance rates across the country, including Nottingham, Ipswich, and Blackpool. It will commence in up to 750 schools from April 2025.

Speaking on the programme, the Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson said “this significant new investment will help thousands of children back into the classroom and marks an important step towards truly turning the tide on persistent absence, helping us drive high and rising standards in every school.”

See NGA’s guidance to understand the board's role about developing an attendance policy, reviewing attendance data and improving outcomes for all pupils.

School support staff body reinstated

Legislation to re-establish the School Support Staff Negotiating Body (SSSNB) through the Employment Rights Bill was introduced in Parliament this week. The reintroduction of the body will deliver on Labour’s manifesto commitments and aims to help schools to recruit and retain the support staff they need to drive standards.

The SSSNB will be made up of representatives of employers, unions, and an independent chairperson and will be tasked with ensuring that support staff are paid fairly and have access to training and career progression opportunities. As part of the legislative process, the government will also consult on the right definition of support staff.

£7 Million confirmed to tackle antisemitism in education

The Department for Education (DfE) has confirmed £7 million funding to combat antisemitism in schools, colleges and universities. This follows the number of antisemitic incidents doubling nationally in the first 5 months of 2024.

Describing the government as “resolutely committed”, the Education Secretary says the funding will be used to prepare and upskill schools and teachers to eradicate antisemitic abuse. There will also be an innovation fund to support the combating of disinformation on social media.

Governing boards have an important role to play in ensuring a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion is threaded through all a school or trust is and does. For more information on how you can understand your role and responsibilities, you can visit the Knowledge Centre.

Concerns surrounding SEND provision in mainstream schools

There has been a 25% increase in the number of pupils with education, health and care plans (EHCP) receiving support in specialist resource provisions (SRP) or SEND units in mainstream schools over the past six years. This is according to a Tes analysis of DfE data.

With the increasing role of SEND units and SRP the government is being urged by key sector voices to investigate how mainstream schools are using additional provision to support pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) amid concerns about a lack of oversight and guidance.

NGA’s Annual Governance Survey also revealed an increase in SEND demands, with the proportion of boards identifying support for children with special educational needs as a top challenge has risen dramatically to 37%, from 25% in 2022.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said going forward mainstream schools will have “a much wider range of often more complex needs than they have experienced in the past.”

Visit our Knowledge Centre to see our latest resources on supporting pupils with SEND.  
 

New Edurio report: High quality, inclusive education    

A recent Edurio report, focusing on education quality and inclusion, highlights a decline in pupil happiness and an increase in staff violence in schools. Pupil levels of interest in learning and overall happiness have significantly worsened, with only 47% of pupils feeling very or quite happy at school. Additionally, the report reveals a decline in respect from pupils towards staff, with a record-high proportion of staff experiencing violence.

While the report highlighted areas of concern, it also identified positive trends. Pupils are more engaged in reading for studies and extracurricular activities, and staff perceive increased support from the school for lesson planning, marking, and assessment.

These findings underscore the urgent need to prioritise pupil and staff wellbeing. Schools and trusts should focus on cultivating and maintaining a whole-school and trust approach to wellbeing, creating a culture of respect and inclusion, and ensuring that the curriculum is engaging and meets the needs of pupils. See our Knowledge Centre for relevant NGA resources.
 

NFER study reveals impact of Covid-19 school closures

The Covid-19 gap (the difference between pre-and post-pandemic scores) has appeared to have closed in reading and maths for those in Year 4 and 5. However, the disadvantage gap for the same group remains wider. This is according to research carried out by the National Foundation for Education Research that examined the impact of pandemic related school closures on those who were in Reception and Year 1 during 2019/2020.

The report also noted that the longer-term fallout of the pandemic was evident in absence levels, difficulties obtaining external support for pupils, and increased staff workload relating to pupil behaviour and wellbeing. These themes were also reflected in our Annual Governance Survey with attendance featuring prominently as both a top challenge (32%) and a key strategic priority (33%) for governing boards. 

Read NGA’s attendance guidance to prompt conversations with school/trust leaders about existing practices, routines and the plans in place to meet expectations.

Shaping tomorrow's schools: November’s game-changing governance seminars  

Join us this November for three thought-provoking seminars designed to empower governors and trustees in shaping the future of education: 

Schools at the heart of society: Defining the role of schools in 2024 and beyond - 11 November
As we navigate an ever-changing educational landscape, explore the evolving role of schools and trusts in 2024. Are schools being asked to do too much, or does the sector need greater resources?

Architects of culture and excellence: How good governance cultivates an exceptional workplace - 12 November
How can governing boards create vibrant working environments where careers blossom? From shaping culture to fostering excellence, hear from sector leaders on how to attract and retain top talent, keeping staff engaged and thriving in your organisation. 

Governance for growth: Crafting accountability systems that drive ambition and sustainability  - 13 November
Accountability in education—does it drive progress or hold us back? Join this seminar to explore educational accountability frameworks and learn what’s working, what isn’t, and how to create a blueprint for a more ambitious and sustainable system. 
 
See all our upcoming events here  
 

NGA’s Annual Membership Survey is now open!

Your feedback is essential in helping us understand your needs and making sure your NGA membership is the best it can be. The survey takes just 10-15 minutes, and we encourage all members to participate.

The survey will close on Wednesday 6 November 2024, at 12pm. Don't miss your chance to share your thoughts.

Take the survey!

NGA attends Conservative Party Conference

School funding and SEND were amongst the topics discussed at the Conservative Party Conference fringe events this week. NGA’s deputy chief executive Sam Henson was in attendance and took the opportunity to engage with shadow ministers, delegates and other sector partners. 

Due to the current leadership contest, there were no policy announcements, so the future direction of the party’s education policy remains unclear. However, with the leadership election expected to conclude in early November, we will then commence engagement with the new team of shadow ministers on your behalf. 

Survey reveals impact of cyber security

Just over one third (34%) of schools and colleges in England have experienced a cyber incident during the last academic year, with 20% not recovering immediately and 4% taking more than one half term. This is according to a new poll by Ofqual who are highlighting the risks associated with poor cyber security. 

Other findings revealed that cyber incidents in schools were mostly due to phishing attacks and security breaches which resulted in lost coursework and missing staff resources. In addition, one in three teachers reported not having had cyber security training this year.

See NGA’s cyber security monitoring tool and risk management guidance for help with monitoring your school or trust’s cyber security awareness, controls and response plans, and to identify areas for improvement. 

Report shows a struggle to recruit teaching assistants 

Three-quarters of head teachers found it “fairly” or “extremely” difficult to recruit TAs with this figure rising to 82% for those in leading secondary schools. This is according to a report commissioned by the Department for Education that explored the motivations and experiences of TAs as well as the barriers and enablers to their effective use.

The report also found that over half of secondary and special school leaders planned to increase the number of TAs in the next academic year with the anticipation of rising SEND demand cited as a major reason. Other key messages related to retention with threats to this being low pay and a lack of opportunities for progression.

Governors and trustees can refer to NGA’s guidance on continuing professional development (CPD) to ensure staff development is valued and prioritised.

Working lives of teachers and leaders research report

School teachers and leaders report low levels of wellbeing, dissatisfaction with pay, and that they are increasingly planning to leave the sector. This has been revealed in the latest DfE report into the working lives of teachers and leaders which presents findings of over 10,000 school staff surveyed between February and May 2023.

Teachers and leaders were found to have lower than average wellbeing scores than the rest of the adult population with 88% of teachers and leaders reporting that they had experienced stress in their work, and 63% agreeing that their job negatively affected their mental health.

It also found, over one-third (36%) indicated that they were considering leaving the English state sector for reasons other than retirement, an increase from 25% in 2022.

Governing boards have significant responsibilities to support the wellbeing of all staff employed in their school or trust, including their work-life balance. Visit our knowledge centre to see how you can support this.

Unlock key insights this October

Be sure to join our upcoming events, tailored to enhance your governance expertise. From networking opportunities to financial management techniques and MAT growth strategies, these sessions offer essential insights and collaboration opportunities for your development.

7 October Local Associations Network

Network with peers and discuss local issues and solutions within your association.

10 October  Governance Leadership Forum: Overcoming Financial Challenges

Explore financial management techniques tailored for single schools to enhance fiscal responsibility and efficiency.

15 October. LA partners Network

We are pleased to host our annual Local Authority partners event, exclusive to those who include one or more of our services in their governance support packages. This is an exciting opportunity to discuss and share knowledge and expertise.

24 October  Webinar: Navigating MAT Growth – Opportunities, Risks, and Strategic Decisions for Trust Boards

Considering expanding your trust? Join NGA’s Michael Barton and Deputy CEO Sam Henson as they discuss the benefits and risks of MAT growth, informed by this year’s annual governance survey results.

See all our upcoming events on our events page.

Labour Conference: Key takeaways and roundup

Welcome to Governance Live: autumn sessions open for bookings

Changes to the School Inspection Handbook

This academic year has introduced several changes to how schools are inspected. Ofsted has removed single headline grades, replacing them with four grades across the existing subcategories: quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development and leadership and management.

Ofsted has also introduced a “suspend and return” approach for safeguarding concerns, allowing schools time to address issues before a final judgment is made. A further key change is that schools will now be notified of upcoming inspections at approximately 2pm on the Monday of the week that the inspection is scheduled to begin.

Details of the updates are can be found in the new School Inspection Handbook, which includes responses from The Big Listen, as well as Ofsted’s ‘summary of changes’ document. We encourage all governing boards to carefully review the updated handbook.

In our latest blog NGA’s Deputy Chief Executive, Sam Henson, shares NGA's thoughts on the latest Ofsted changes and what boards need to know about the changes.  

Development for Chairs: Elevate your governance skills

Are you a current or aspiring MAT or SAT chair looking to enhance your board leadership skills?

Our specialist programme will help you lead confidently and ensure effective governance for your trust. 

Whether you want to enhance your leadership or develop and gain new key skills, our flexible sessions are tailored to benefit individuals at every level and are delivered by expert facilitators with hands-on experience.

Get the tools to elevate your leadership and make a lasting impact.

Book your place

Children’s Commissioner launches mandatory school survey

Children’s Commissioner, Dame Rachel de Souza, has used her statutory powers to announce a compulsory survey of schools.

The survey aims to “better understand the role schools play in children’s development”. It will ask about services schools currently provide for children and their families, such as breakfast clubs, food banks and wrap around childcare, as well as how these services are funded.
The closing date is 20 December and the findings will be published in 2025, informing recommendations to the government.

Sector leaders have criticised the “oppressive and insensitive” tone of the announcement, however acknowledged the need for up-to-date information about how children are supported by schools and trusts, to inform government policy.

The announcement follows the publication of NGA’s Annual Governance Survey earlier this year, which found that 51% of respondents had reported an increase in the additional services offered by schools/trusts over the past year.

Connect, learn, lead together

We are excited to offer a series of dynamic network events which will provide you with invaluable opportunities to connect with peers, exchange ideas, and discuss the latest trends in governance.

Here’s what networks we have in store for you this term:

26 September: SEND Network

Join us to discuss and collaborate on the best practices and strategies for supporting students with SEND. This event will focus on sharing experiences and innovative approaches to ensure all pupils receive the support they need to thrive.

7 October:  Local Associations Network

Network with peers and discuss local issues and solutions within your association.

15 October: LA Partners Network

We are pleased to host our annual Local Authority partners event, exclusive to those who include one or more of our services in their governance support packages. This is an exciting opportunity to discuss and share knowledge and expertise.

26 November: Young Governors Network

Are aged 40 or younger? Join us as we discuss the role of the chair of trustees, conflict management, and so much more.

Find out more about all of our upcoming events

NGA endorses National Content Standard for RE

NGA are proud to endorse the National Content Standard for religious education, developed by the RE Council. These standards reflect a comprehensive, balanced, and inclusive approach to world views that promotes a mutual understanding and respect across the diverse beliefs and traditions in England.

By providing this clear guidance, they help ensure that every pupil has the opportunity to access high-quality religious education, fostering critical thinking, empathy, and a deeper understanding of the world around them.

We commend the RE Council for its commitment to promoting religious literacy and unity through education and for recognising the important role that governing boards play in ensuring schools and trusts deliver a broad and balanced curriculum for all. Governors and trustees can use the content standard to support discussions about RE. If you have any questions, please contact the RE Council at info@religiouseducationcouncil.org.uk.

Headteacher and CEO appraisal

It is the time of year that boards will be preparing to conduct their senior executive leader’s annual appraisal. NGA have several resources to support those governors and trustees performing this important function:

• Read our updated guidance on executive leader performance management – we have split this into separate guides for maintained schools and academy trusts.
• View our latest webinar on impactful executive leader performance management.
• Access training on how to effectively conduct performance management and the appraisal cycle.

Boards can also commission an external adviser from NGA’s consultancy service for their annual appraisal meeting.

Music pilot launched to support disadvantage pupils

A £1.5 million-a-year trial has been launched to help disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) to learn to sing or play an instrument. The initiative, co-funded by the DfE and partners, will expand on an existing Young Sounds UK programme, offering free music lessons and exams to primary and secondary pupils across music hubs. It aims to break down barriers to opportunity by widening access to the arts and supporting young people to unlock their musical potential.

Governing boards have an important role in ensuring their organisation offers pupils a broad curriculum which includes diverse and wide-ranging art forms and cultural experiences. NGA has published guidance on cultural education, including music, to support those governing to positively influence provision in your school or trust.

The Education Endowment Foundation publishes updated pupil premium resources

The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) has published updates to their suite of pupil premium resources, designed to help schools maximise the impact of their spending and improve outcomes for socio-economically disadvantaged pupils.

Their updated guide to the pupil premium includes new information about the delivery and implementation of a school’s pupil premium strategy, to reflect the recent update to the EEF’s guidance on effective implementation. An accompanying evidence brief, also updated this week, signposts evidence-informed resources to support spending on different approaches, including high-quality teaching, recruitment and retention, and targeted interventions.

The resources are useful for governors as they support and challenge their leadership teams to improve outcomes for socio-economically disadvantaged pupils. NGA has produced a pupil premium monitoring tool to support governing boards effectively monitor and evaluate spending decisions, discuss the intended outcomes and evaluate impact.

Labour MP Helen Hayes announced as chair of the Education Select Committee

Labour MP Helen Hayes has been elected as the new chair of the Education Select Committee.

Ms Hayes, who has served as an MP since 2015, most recently worked as a Shadow Education Minister from 2021-24 and has previously served as Shadow Minister in the Cabinet Office.

The committee oversees the work of the DfE through inquiries and hearings and is one of the key channels through which NGA amplifies its members' voices to influence education policy at the government level. You can find out more about how we do this by visiting NGA’s representation page.

ESFA to close in March 2025

The government has announced it will be closing the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) and moving its functions into the Department for Education (DfE).

The move will happen in two stages. The ESFA’s Schools Financial Support and Oversight (SFSO) teams will transfer to the Regions Group from 1 October, in time to support the launch of Regional Improvement Teams by January 2025 and the funding and assurance functions will be fully centralised by the end of March. These changes will help to ensure financial improvement is central to school improvement and give education settings a single point of contact for financial management and support.

Welcoming the changes NGA’s Chief Executive, Emma Balchin said that the transition “marks a positive step forward for everyone involved" and that the move to a single point of access would simplify processes for schools and trusts. 

Read NGA’s full response on the news page.

Build Your MAT Governance Skills: Expert-Led Workshops Programme for Trustees

Calling all MAT trustees - are you looking to deepen your knowledge of MAT governance to make a lasting impact on your trust?

Led by MAT governance experts, our interactive setting specific programme of workshops equip MAT trustees with essential, practical skills for effective MAT governance.

Whether you're looking for comprehensive training or individual sessions tailored to your needs, we have the right solution for you.

Book your place for autumn

Lack of diversity within teacher training and career progression

The chances of progression are “stacked against” non-White teachers according to former president of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), Evelyn Forde.

Speaking at a WomenEd event, 'Unlock the ITT Pipeline to Ensure Race Equity in Schools', Forde discussed the disparities in success rates for non-White candidates applying for initial teacher training and advancing in their careers compared to their White counterparts.

She also pointed to the lack of diversity on governing boards, as highlighted by NGA’s Annual Governance Survey, which found that 95% of respondents identified as White. Sam Henson, NGA’s Deputy Chief Executive, stressed the importance of board diversity, noting that “the lack of ethnic diversity on governing boards is a long-standing issue that can undermine the effectiveness and inclusivity of decision-making processes."

NGA has produced a range of EDI resources, including a diversity indicators form that can be used by governing boards to gather diversity data on their membership and use this to inform discussion and action.

Webinar: Impactful Executive Leader Performance Management

17 September, 12:30 – 13:10 

Join us for this essential webinar on Impactful Executive Leader Performance Management and discover the key to driving organisational success.

You will learn about proven strategies for evaluating executive leadership, setting clear performance expectations and delivering constructive feedback. Led by our in-house expert speakers, this session will also cover best practices for fostering leadership growth and development. Whether you’re refining your approach or new to performance management, this webinar offers valuable insights that will help you support and enhance executive leadership within your organisation.

Don’t miss this opportunity to elevate your leadership management skills and ensure your organisation's long-term success!

Book your place

Visit our events page for details on all of our upcoming events.

NGA joins the call for government action on attendance crisis

NGA has joined Place2Be and 43 other experts from the education, mental health, community and children’s sectors in calling on the Government to tackle the attendance crisis.

In a joint letter to the Secretary of State for Education, Bridget Phillipson, Place2Be and the letter’s co-signatories offer solutions to improve children's life chances and increase school attendance by prioritising inclusion, enrichment, mental health, and special educational needs support.

New research  from the University of Cambridge and Place2Be shows that one-to-one counselling may improve school attendance among persistently absent pupils, particularly at younger ages. They found that school-based one-to-one counselling has the potential to reduce the likelihood of persistent absence by 18.5%.

NGA has partnered with Place2Be to create a guide that helps boards understand their responsibilities in promoting mental health and student well-being.

Primary school disadvantage gap narrows

The gap between disadvantaged pupils’ key stage 2 SATs results and all other pupils has fallen to 3.12, from 3.21 in 2023. Although this year’s figure shows improvement, it is still wider than the 2.91 gap index pre-pandemic in 2018-19. This is according to provisional data published by the DfE.

Historically, the disadvantage gap index reduced between 2011 and 2018 before remaining at a similar level between 2018 and 2019 and increasing in 2022 to the highest level since 2012 due to the pandemic.

Other figures revealed that in reading, writing and maths (combined), 45% of disadvantaged pupils met the expected standard in 2024 compared to 67% of other pupils, both increasing by 1 percentage point since 2023, keeping the attainment gap at 22 percentage points. 

Trusts turn to sixth formers for teacher recruitment

A recent report by NFER has found that those born after 1997 are “slightly more likely to fit the motivational profile of a future teacher than Millennials”, prompting calls for more schemes to encourage them into the school workforce.

Some trusts have started training sixth-form leavers for central roles and have established a variety of teaching courses and masterclasses to encourage them into considering a career in teaching. Leaders hope that such schemes could help the government meet its commitment to hire 6,500 more teachers.

In its 2024 manifesto, NGA has called on the government to establish a strategy aimed at enhancing the appeal of a career in education, including a long-term plan for pay and incentives for all staff. Those governing can refer to NGA’s staff wellbeing guidance to support the board’s strategic oversight of staff recruitment and retention. 

Educational Impacts of Covid-19 are an ongoing challenge for schools and pupils

A new report by Tim Oates CBE, of Cambridge University Press & Assessment, warns that the educational impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic will persist for years.

Commissioned by ASCL, the report highlights that different age groups face varied challenges, such as reading difficulties in Year 7 pupils and severe language delays and social anxieties in younger children.

Oates cautions against assuming schools are "back to normal," stressing that these issues will continue for the next five to 10 years. He advocates for targeted strategies, including assessments, skill-focused interventions, and improved home-school connections.

Commenting on the findings, Pepe Di’Iasio, General Secretary of ASCL highlighted the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on schools and children and urged the new government to develop “well-funded policies” that address the concerns raised in the report.

OECD Report highlights UK education inequalities

The Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development's (OECD) latest Education at a glance report highlights the inequalities in education, particularly in early childhood. The UK’s expenditure on early childhood education per child (£5,260) falls short of the average (£8,960) expenditure across other countries. Furthermore, regional disparities in educational attainment in the UK are more pronounced than other countries.
 
In response, the DfE aim to address these issues through various initiatives such as integrating childcare and early years education into the wider education system, providing free breakfast clubs, as well as developing a strategy to reduce child poverty. Sir David Bell’s review into early education, echoed these concerns emphasising the need for a comprehensive early years strategy to be developed to effectively address the attainment gap.
 
Bridget Phillipson acknowledged the need for more to be done during her speech at the OECD’s annual report launch event stating “We need to get early education and childcare right – so that all children get the very best start in life and all parents get the power to pursue their careers.”

A new chapter for NGA and the future of governance

We’re excited to announce Emma Balchin as the new Chief Executive of the National Governance Association!

In her latest blog, Emma outlines her plans and vision for the future of NGA and how we’ll be enhancing support for our members throughout the coming academic year and beyond.

With the educational landscape evolving, Emma is eager to lead NGA through these changes, ensuring we remain a strong voice for you our members and all governors, trustees and governance professionals.

This is just the beginning of an exciting journey ahead, and we’re committed to tackling the key challenges you’ve raised.

Read the blog to find out more about Emma’s vision. 

Ofsted’s Big Listen sets out significant changes

Ofsted announced significant changes this week, including a government decision to scrap single headline judgements – a move welcomed by NGA. This was followed by Ofsted’s response to the Big Listen which confirmed plans to develop report cards in place of headline judgements.

Dame Christine Gilbert’s independent learning review – commissioned by Ofsted following the tragic suicide of Ruth Perry – was published alongside the Big Listen. The review makes 14 wide-ranging recommendations and makes clear that “reform is needed to develop an approach to accountability that lessens the unnecessary pressures associated with inspection and supports school...”

Read our Ofsted inspection guidance to learn more about recent changes.

Leading Governance - places still available for autumn

Our Leading Governance programme gives you the tools to lead and support your governing board and positively impact your school or trust. Our flexible courses are perfect for those wanting to elevate their governance knowledge and expertise.

• Development for Chairs – A specialist programme to help current and aspiring chairs from any setting develop their skills in delivering effective leadership confidently
• Development for MAT trustees—Workshops focused on a practical approach to effective governance and making a positive impact. Choose the entire programme or individual sessions to suit your needs.
• Development for Clerks - Enhance your expertise with our popular Level 3 Clerking qualification, designed to develop the skills and knowledge needed for high-quality clerking of school and academy governing boards.
• Clerking essentials - A practical introductory programme for clerks - Support to get you started, whatever your setting. Designed specifically for new looking to build a strong foundation and understanding of governance.

Learn more and sign up. 

Have you completed the NGA housekeeping checklist?

Update NGA’s new address
Please update your records with immediate effect for all invoices, credits, and statements as we have moved offices. NGA’s new address is;

National Governance Association,
102 Colmore Row,
Birmingham,
B3 3AG

For our valued members, who pay NGA via cheque, please post cheques to the above address for the attention of Finance Department and then the address. Telephone numbers remain the same.

Update your membership details
As a member, we don’t want you to miss out on receiving essential benefits, such as Governing Matters magazine, the weekly e-newsletter, events, and much more.

To access your benefits, log in to your account: www.nga.org.uk Once logged in, go to ‘My NGA’ located in the top right corner of the page. You will be able to access your ‘Member Dashboard’ and benefits, edit or complete your details on ‘Your Profile’, and modify your ‘Communication Preferences’ to receive your membership magazine and the weekly newsletter.

Account managers can go to the ‘Member Dashboard’ to ‘Manage your account’ and ensure that your correct governors and trustees have access. Please encourage your members to sign into their accounts and take advantage of their benefits.

Sutton Trust research analyses the socio-economic profile of school admissions

Research released by the Sutton Trust looks at secondary school admissions and compares the socio-economic profile of school intakes with the catchment area. Specifically, it looks at the proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals (FSM) living within an area and compares this to the intake of pupils eligible for FSM in local schools.

The Sutton Trust has also published a School Admissions Dashboard – an interactive map which allows users to compare the year 7 intake over three years in relation to pupils eligible for FSM levels when compared to their local area.

Governors and trustees should ensure that their settings provide an inclusive environment that helps ensure that their school cohort reflects their local community. Steps can also be taken to help with this, such as removing any potential financial obstacles for example, a high number of branded uniform items.

NGA has produced a range of resources on the governing board's role in tackling educational disadvantage.

Gear up for this term with NGA’s events

Autumn 1 term events

As we embark on the new academic year, we are excited to offer a lineup of events designed to inspire and inform. From insightful webinars to engaging networking opportunities, our events will equip you with the latest knowledge and skills to excel in governance and leadership. Join us for an enriching experience!

September

• 17/9 - Webinar: Impactful executive leader performance management 
• 26/9 -  SEND Network

October

• 3/10 - Governance Leadership Forum: Mastering financial challenges – Strategies for MATs
• 7/10 - Local Associations Network
• 10/10 - Governance Leadership Forum: Mastering financial challenges – Strategies for Single Schools
• 15/10 - LA Partners Network
• 24/10 -  Webinar: Navigating MAT Growth – Opportunities, Risks, and Strategic Decisions for Trust Boards

See all of our upcoming events here. 

NGA’s trustee elections – virtual information session (30 September, 6pm)

NGA are electing members to join the organisation’s board from the following regions:

• North East
• South East
• East of England

The current co-chairs of NGA’s board, Alastair Cowen and Lawayne Jefferson, will be hosting a virtual session on Monday 30 September at 6pm to discuss the role and answer questions you may have. If you’re interested in attending the session please contact lara.angell@nga.org.uk.

It is important to be aware of the criteria you need to meet in order to be considered for election. Please visit our website for more information. Our virtual event can help address any queries you have – if you are unable to attend, contact Lara with any questions or queries.

Learning Link: safeguarding updates

Following key guidance changes, important updates have been made to the following Learning Link modules:

• Safeguarding: how to fulfil the governance role
• Safer Recruitment

It is important to review these modules in order to remain compliant and stay on top of the latest guidance.

If you have any feedback for the team or would like to request a specific module for the platform, please email us at learninglink@nga.org.uk.

If you are not currently a subscriber and would like more information about our e-learning platform contact us or visit Learning Link.

Welcome to Governance LIVE! Autumn 2024

Start your journey as a governor or trustee with confidence. Our Welcome to Governance LIVE sessions are designed to offer the guidance and support you need to make an impact from day one.

As an NGA Gold or MAT member, you have exclusive, complimentary access to these interactive one-hour virtual workshops, tailored to your specific governance context. These sessions will equip you with the essential tools and knowledge for success in your first six months.

What you’ll gain:

• Real-world insights: Understand the challenges and opportunities of your role.
• Actionable tips: Learn how to create an immediate and lasting impact on your board.
• Tailored support: Access resources designed for new governors and trustees.
• Vision development: Get advice on shaping the future of your school or trust.

Choose the session that fits your role, whether you’re a new governor, trustee, or committee member.

Secure your spot today!

Book your place or call 0121 237 3780 for more information.

School leaders, governors and teachers call on Minister to scrap two-child benefit limit

NGA, alongside the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG), ASCL, The Centre for Education and Youth, and NEU, The Sutton Trust and Children North East, is calling for the two-child benefit limit to be scrapped. This change could lift 300,000 children out of poverty and reduce its severity for 700,000 more.

In an open letter to Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, the group highlights how child poverty is leaving many pupils hungry, tired and without basic resources, impacting their well-being, attendance, and academic achievement.

NGA’s research shows the growing strain on schools and trusts, many of which are providing additional services to support struggling families, often acting as a 'fourth emergency service.'

For more information and to read the letter visit CPAG’s website.

Using AI to reduce teacher workload

The Department for Education (DfE) has announced a new project aimed at reducing teacher workload by improving the effectiveness and trustworthiness of AI tools within education.

Backed by £4 million in government funding, the project aims to reduce teacher workload by automating tasks such as lesson planning and marking. Additionally, to ensure that teachers have access to reliable and relevant resources the initiative seeks to ensure that AI tools are aligned with sector requirements.

Research on public attitudes towards the use of AI in education found that parents and pupils agreed that there are clear opportunities for teachers to use AI to support them in their jobs. Although parents were largely comfortable with AI being used by teachers, they were more hesitant about pupils interacting with it directly.

The DfE have also committed to addressing ethical and safety concerns associated with AI in education by publishing a safety framework on AI products for education, due to be published later this year.