Outstanding Governance Awards 2025
NGA’s Outstanding Governance Awards 2025 are now open for nominations for governors, trustees and governance professionals!
Every two years, NGA’s awards recognise the contributions of boards, governors, trustees and governance professionals. These awards showcase outstanding practice in school and trust governance, shining a spotlight on the transformative impact that effective governance has on schools, trusts, and the education of children and young people.
How to make a nomination
- Find out more about each of our four categories below
- Download a category information sheet to find out who can be nominated, the criteria and how to make a successful nomination
- Read the terms and conditions and email any queries to awards@nga.org.uk
- Complete the relevant category nomination form by 12 pm on Monday 14 April 2025 and return it via email to awards@nga.org.uk
Outstanding governance in a single school
Tell us about governing boards that have demonstrated effective governance and outstanding strategic leadership to create positive outcomes in a single school. Entrants are asked to show how the board demonstrates effective governance and how it has developed a positive culture. Finally, entrants must cite an area of improvement identified, how the board responded and the overall outcome.
Outstanding governance in a multi academy trust
We want to hear about multi academy trusts that have demonstrated effective governance and outstanding strategic leadership to create positive outcomes across their trust. Entrants are asked to provide evidence on the trust board and local governance arrangements, including fulfilling its core purposes, engaging with stakeholders and how the trust’s governance structure has evolved.
Outstanding clerk to a governing board
Do you know a governance professional undertaking the duties of a clerk (as outlined in the duties and responsibilities of the clerking level of the NGA career pathway) who has shown outstanding practice and contributed significantly to improving governance? The nominated individual should display the characteristics of an outstanding clerk, including being an efficient administrator, having a good understanding of effective governance practice and using this to support and advise the governing board, and developing a professional relationship with the governing board.
Outstanding lead governance professional
We want to hear about a lead governance professional who has demonstrated outstanding leadership, management, practice, and contributed significantly to improving governance. This award is for those who fulfil the responsibilities of lead governance professional or governance coordinator as set out in the NGA career pathway, in multi academy trusts, local authorities and other service providers or education bodies. Nominees will have had a significant impact on improving governance at more than one school and on the effectiveness of clerking practice through innovation and rooted in advanced governance knowledge and expertise.
Who can enter?
The awards are open to all types and phases of state-funded schools and trusts in England (see category information sheets for details). You do not need to be a member of the National Governance Association. Entry is free; for full details, please refer to the terms of conditions
Why enter?
- Earn well-deserved recognition for your governing board, clerk, or lead governance professional.
- Showcase your dedication, commitment, and exemplary practices through a rigorous and high-quality judging process.
- Reflect on your journey of growth—these awards celebrate progress, not perfection, highlighting boards and professionals committed to continuous improvement and positive impact.
- Set an example as a beacon of good governance, inspiring fellow governors, trustees, and governance professionals with your achievements.
- Use this opportunity to evaluate your board’s work against the awards criteria and celebrate successes.
- Highlight your governing board's pivotal role in driving your school or trust’s development and success.
- Share a moment of pride and celebration with your school or trust and its wider community.
What happens after I apply?
- NGA’s expert team will review all entries and compile a shortlist for the judges. We may contact you for further information to support your nomination.
- Judges will interview the shortlisted board or individual and consider evidence that supports the nomination.
- Finalists will be invited to a prestigious ceremony at the Houses of Parliament, where awards will be presented to the winners.