NGA is disappointed the Department for Education will not be extending the National Leaders of Governance contract beyond the end of October.
NGA has been proud to deliver the programme over the last two years, developing the team of NLGs who worked with school and trust governing boards, made up of volunteers who take great pride in playing their part in contributing to positive outcomes for children and young people and want to improve their practice.
Having the opportunity to review and improve their governance structures and practice by participating in a funded programme under the guidance of a quality assured governance expert has brought much needed rigour and focus on governance. To this end, we are committed to completing every external review main report and action plan commissioned.
Emma Knights, Chief Executive of the National Governance Association, said: "NGA would like to express our profound gratitude to the 76 highly trained and experienced NLGs who have fully embraced working as part of a managed and quality assured team. Their work has been praised by local authorities, diocesan bodies and the DfE’s Regions’ Groups, all of whom have commissioned NLGs to undertake reviews and support work. It has been a great example of how practitioners from within the sector can add to its knowledge and standards of practice. Most importantly it has led to more secure schools and trusts which is crucial in these difficult times in order to deliver the best that can be delivered for pupils."NGA has long promoted the value of reviewing the governance of schools and trusts and has been undertaking reviews since Ofsted first made external reviews a requirement some ten years ago. NGA will continue to offer reviews as part of our consultancy service and other development and support through their training service.
Paul Cohen, Deputy Director, Governance and Trust Development Division at the DfE said: "In communicating our decision to the NGA, the Department has made clear that it in no way reflects the quality of the support that has been delivered through the reformed programme since it launched in October 2021. This was reflected in the positive first year evaluation report published last November."
“We had our review at an ideal time as it was a year on from a merger and at a time of considerable strategic development. I have already highly recommended this process to colleagues.” CEO, Ten school MAT
“Thank you for your valuable assistance and guidance over the period of the External Review. I believe that your report and action plan will assist us in our common goal of improving the school." Chair of Governors
“We have so appreciated your helpful and challenging support over the last few months and feel it has really put us in a good place for growth with stronger governance.” Chair of Trustees