Effective leadership | National Governance Association

Event date

04/03/2025

Time

Various

Location

Zoom

About this programme

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Who is this suitable for?

Current or future chairs of a multi academy trust board

This programme would suit those new to chairing or anticipating becoming chair shortly.

What are the benefits?

This programme will equip you to build effective governance in your trust by:

clarifying the expectations of chairing a MAT board
focussing on meeting the challenges typically faced by MAT chairs
developing your knowledge, leadership skills and networks with peers
enhancing your awareness of your strengths and areas for development
facilitating the development of an action plan for your board
creating self-supporting groups to ensure learning continues beyond the programme
offering a system to problem-solve through action learning sets, scenarios, case studies and other activities

Comprehensive workshop materials and templates, copies of NGA publications The Chairs' Handbook and Governing a Multi Academy Trust and 12 months' free subscription to the Learning Link e-learning service.

How will you learn?

The programme offers a blend of flexible learning delivered at a sensible pace during term time for busy MAT chairs
It comprises six small group 2-hour group interactive practice focused workshops led by an experienced NGA consultant with a track record of direct experience of MAT chairing and delivering MAT improvement and growth
A facilitated environment to stimulate personal and board development through structured discussion
Each session will include advance stimulus material to support the exploration of key topics in the workshops
Some sessions will involve contributions from other MAT experts, including NGA MAT experts and experienced MAT leaders
Discussion, debate and networking are important parts of the workshops. Because it is run virtually, this programme enables you to network with current and future MAT chairs from all over England

What are the outcomes

Below is a summary of what you will achieve upon completing the programme. Download a PDF with detailed outlines of each session.

By the end of the programme, you will:

have a clear understanding of the chair’s strategic leadership within the context of MAT governance
know how to build, develop and manage your trustee team
understand how to build your relationship with your CEO and the wider central team
know how to work with the governance professional
be knowledgeable about MAT governance structures, effective delegation, and how to mobilise local governance support and work with LGB chairs
know how to plan for succession and other changes, and be able to lead and influence when required
understand the chair’s lead role in developing trust strategy and be able to lead the board in setting and monitoring strategy and trust improvement through engagement with key stakeholders
better understand how what decision-making looks like and how to achieve it through effective engagement, risk management and a well-run meeting schedule
be able to assess the effectiveness of yourself and your board, to problem-solve, and to create and sustain your networks

Throughout the programme, you will consider current expectations of MATs, in particular under the Academy Trust Handbook, DfE Academy Trust Governance Guide 2024 and the DfE academy trust quality descriptions.

Your facilitator

Janet Myers chairs a ten-school multi academy trust, conducts governance reviews, and delivers training for governors, chairs, clerks and boards. With 12 years in a blue-chip firm managing international operations, £100m+ projects, and change management, she has transformed school boards since 2009. Janet became an NGA Consultant and a National Leader of Governance in 2021 and has many years of experience of working with MAT chairs and trustees.

about this programme

Book now

Start date: 4 March 2025

Session number	Title	Date	Time
Session 1	Leading the board - taking the chair	04/03/2025	6.30pm - 8.30pm
Session 2	Building your board	01/04/2025	6.30pm - 8.30pm
Session 3	Working with your trust’s executive team	06/05/2025	6.30pm - 8.30pm
Session 4	Developing the strategy	03/06/2025	6.30pm - 8.30pm
Session 5	Making good decisions for your trust	24/06/2025	6.30pm - 8.30pm
Session 6	Evaluating the effectiveness of governance	15/07/2025	6.30pm - 8.30pm