Useful Links
Please find below our useful links section where links are organised into the following categories:-
General education sites
Sites specifically for governors
Online Learning
Governor intranet facilities
Governance in and beyond schools
Really interesting sites
General education sites
DfE (Department for Education)
Established by the new Coalition Government, the website is the central
source of information on education policy. There is a section specifically
for governors within “Leadership and Governance”
www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-education
Ofsted
Here you will find inspection reports on schools, the framework for
Inspection and evaluation schedule.
www.ofsted.gov.uk
FASNA
The Freedom and Autonomy for Schools National Association site offers training
and advice for governors of Academy and Free schools.
www.fasna.org.uk
Sites specifically for governors
Newport Educational
Run by highly regarded ex-Local Authority experts in governance, Newport offers training, support and a thought-provoking blog. Newport seeks to work in partnership with LA governor Services, helping to raise standards of governance and education.
www.newporteducational.co.uk
NGA
The National Governors' Association is the representative body for school
governors in England. The National Governors' Association (NGA) is the
only independent organisation that represents school governors in England.
There are over 300,000 school governors; one of the largest volunteer
groups in the UK. Our aim is to improve the well-being of children and
young people by promoting high standards in all our schools, and improving
the effectiveness of their governing bodies.
www.nga.org.uk
ISCG
Information for School and College Governors provides practical advice,
impartial and up-to-date information on independent appeals for both
school admissions and exclusions and for all matters concerning school
governance. We provide an Independent Appeals Service for admission
appeals.
www.governors.uk.com
Governorline
Free, confidential advice, information and support to School Governors,
clerks and individuals involved directly in the governance of maintained
schools in England. Call us free on 08000 722 181 from Monday to Friday
9.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m., or from 11.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. on weekends
and public holidays. A TextPhone facility is also available.
www.governorline.info
SGOSS
The School Governors’ One-Stop Shop (SGOSS) is an independent
charity dedicated to recruiting volunteers to serve on school governing
bodies across England. Our services are free to volunteers, employers,
schools and Local Authorities. This website aims to show you what
being a governor involves, the need in your area and how you can apply.
www.sgoss.org.uk
Adamson books
Information for School Governors, Headteachers and Support Staff: The
supply of up-to-date and reliable information is crucial for those involved
in governing or managing our schools and for those working in them.
But finding what you need to know to perform your job well can be frustrating
and time-consuming. This has never been more so than in this time of
political change. Our aim is to help you with reliable information and
independent advice that is targeted to your needs, is concise and is
easy to use.
www.adamsonbooks.com
Clerk to Governors
This is a bank of articles, extracts, links and resources for governors, clerks and anyone with an interest in school governance, to save you time and keep you up to date.
www.clerktogovernors.co.uk
Online learning
Modern Governor
Modern Governor is a product within the Learning Pool portfolio
that seeks to address this need. It is designed to help School Governors
develop their skills through e-learning at a time, place and pace that
suits their needs. Improving the governance of our schools is a key
ambition for all of us, not least in a political environment where fiscal
tightening is a serious and ongoing issue. Doing more with less
is a practical reality for schools and in particular the ability to
demonstrate return on investment is an essential.
www.moderngovernor.com
GEL
Governors E-Learning (GEL) is a collaborative approach to governor training.
Our aim is to provide effective and accessible training online, enabling
governors to access a broad range of modules at their own pace and convenience.
All of the GEL online modules are designed to enhance the learning opportunities
available for school governors.
www.gelregistration.co.uk
Governor intranet facilities
Governors Virtual Office
Governors Virtual Office is a web-based tool designed specifically for
school Governing Bodies. Governors Virtual Office helps improve access
to key information for Governors; assists the work of the Clerk; and
provides process workflows to help Governors fulfil routine tasks more
efficiently. Governors Virtual Office helps Governors keep up to date
with what's going on in their school and reduces the amount of meeting
time that is spent in providing regular updates. With better information
and more time Governors can focus better on fulfilling their core roles
of setting strategic direction, ensuring accountability and evaluating
school performance.
www.schoolleadershipsystems.com
Governance in and beyond schools
NCOGS
National Co-ordinators of Governor Services is the national committee
representing local authority providers of services to school governors.
The website contains many useful downloadable resources and materials
for governors as well as COGS.
www.ncogs.org.uk
Office for Public Management
An independent centre for the development of public services: improvement,
leadership development and research.
www.opm.co.uk
Centre for Public Scrutiny
The Centre for Public Scrutiny promotes the value of scrutiny and accountability
in modern and effective government and supports non-executives in their
scrutiny role.
www.cfps.org.uk
National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER)
Website of National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) which does what it says on the tin. A very useful sub-site - EMIE - collects a wide range of documents for sharing between local authorities and others interested in education.
www.nfer.ac.uk
David Wolfe
In England (not Scotland or Wales) people are finding that their local school wants to become an 'academy' or someone is proposing to set up a 'free school' in the area. Or they are unhappy about what an academy or (from September 2011) a free school is doing or not doing. They want to know where they stand 'in law'. This blog is for anyone concerned about academies or free schools, and the law.
davidwolfe.org.uk/wordpress
Local Schools Network
Fiona Millar, Francis Gilbert, Melissa Benn and Henry Stewart are the founders of Local Schools Network. They believe that:
1.Every child has a right to go to an excellent local state school, enabling every child to achieve their full potential.
2.Every state school should have a fair admissions procedure.
3.Every local school should be responsive to their parents and pupils needs and wishes and be accountable to the local community.
4.That local schools in difficulties should be supported to improve, not attacked and demoralised.
The Local Schools Network promotes local state schools in the UK. This website aims to correct the myths and lies that are spread about local state schools. Its aim is to promote the cause of local state schools by celebrating their achievements, informing the public about key issues surrounding them, campaigning for further improvements and answering questions that people may have about them. This website is also a good way for groups, families and individuals around the country to keep in touch.
www.localschoolsnetwork.org.uk
