The ICSA Academy Governance Conference
About
View the conference slides
Do you have a clear vision for your school governance?
Following Parliamentary concerns over multi-academy trust (MAT) performance and accountability, the ICSA Academy Governance Conference on 4 October 2016 provided delegates with the tools to evaluate their school governance framework, benchmark their existing structure, and discuss the fundamental governance principles that will help to deliver educational aims and objectives to an even higher standard.
School leaders learned more on the potential governance impact of becoming part of a MAT and about topics including: MAT governance key roles and responsibilities; board diversity; Ofsted inspection expectations; and the local authority’s new role.
The conference also offered delegates an advantage of a networking opportunity to discuss and share ideas with peers on what good school governance looks like. The event aimed to develop a clear vision for school governance framework and enable to raise standards even higher and deliver more opportunities for students.
Programme
| Time | What's on |
|---|---|
| 09.30 | Conference opens Registration and tea/coffee |
| 10.00 | Chair’s opening remarks Bill Watkin, Chief Executive, Sixth Form Colleges Association |
| 10.15 | Keynote address: building legitimacy for academy governance |
| Robert Hill, Visiting Senior Research Fellow, Department of Education and Professional Studies, Kings College London and Independent Education Consultant | |
| 10.40 | Becoming part of a MAT: where does the power lie? |
| Joining a MAT can seem like a daunting prospect when the impact on your existing school governance is uncertain. What happens to your existing governing body? In this session, we explore how you can manage the approach to become part of a MAT, the importance of open communication regarding delegating governance functions and the benefits of becoming part of a cohesive system. Roger Inman, Partner and Head of Education, Stone King |
|
| 11.15 | Networking tea and coffee break |
| 11.45 | Establishing effective MAT governance |
| Implementing a robust governance structure that is fit for purpose is vital to an effective MAT. Everyone involved must understand what their roles and responsibilities are. Here we delve deeper to take a look at what the key roles are for any multi-academy trust and discuss the importance of team work in delivering a highly functioning school chain. Debbie Clinton, Deputy Chief Executive, Diverse Academies Learning Partnership (DALP) |
|
| 12.15 | Governor and Trustee skills: building the right board |
| Governors and trustees must strike a balance between a strategic view of the whole trust and understanding the needs of individual schools within it. To make a real impact on educational outcomes, the school board needs individuals with a broad range of skills, experience and personalities. So what is the right mix of skills for a MAT board? Take part in this workshop to discover the essentials of creating a balanced board. Kirsty Watt, Head, Academy Ambassadors |
|
| 13.15 | Networking lunch |
| 14.15 | Evaluating leadership and management |
| Following the implementation of the common inspection framework in September 2015, we take a closer look at what Ofsted is looking for in leadership and management. In a drive towards more professionalised school governance, we find out how you can succeed and what good academy governance currently looks like. Mike Sheridan HMI, Regional Director for London, Ofsted |
|
| 14.45 | Board self-evaluation |
| In this session we take a look at the core questions academy boards of trustees should be asking themselves when evaluating their own performance and discuss the importance of identifying issues quickly, and implementing change efficiently. Mark Blois, Chair of Governors and National Leader of Governance, L.E.A.D Academy Trust and Partner and Head of Education, Browne Jacobson |
|
| 15.15 | The new role of local authorities |
| What role will the local authority play in the academisation agenda as head teachers and not councils become responsible for school improvement? Here we take a look at how local authorities are responding to the structural changes in the education landscape and find out what support they can offer MAT leaders in fulfilling their objectives. Colin Diamond, CBE, Executive Director for Education, Birmingham City Council |
|
| 15.45 | Final remarks and close of conference |
Sponsors
BoardPad and Blueprint OneWorld
BoardPad and Blueprint OneWorld are products of ICSA Software Limited, a software company of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators. With over 25 years’ experience and working with many high-profile clients, ICSA Software International are recognised as industry leaders for global entity management, corporate governance, compliance, and board portal solutions.
Doyle Clayton
Doyle Clayton is a specialist workplace law firm. Our education team regularly works with schools, trusts and MATs providing employment, pensions and health & safety advice along with regulatory support, including safeguarding advice.
THIS CONFERENCE TOOK PLACE ON 4TH OCTOBER 2016
Contact us
Phone: 020 7612 7032
Email: events@icsa.org.uk