External Governance Reviews
What is an External Governance Review?
An external review of governance (ERG) examines the effectiveness of the board based on the 6 features of effective governance, which are set out in the Governance handbook and takes account of the Ofsted expectations for Governance:
- Strategic leadership
- Accountability
- People
- Structures
- Compliance
- Evaluation
A review will:
- Consider the process and impact of decision making
- Consider the impact of the governance support provided to the board
- Test compliance with mandatory requirements
- Enable the board to provide reassurance to stakeholders and others that it takes its responsibilities seriously and is endeavouring to carry them out effectively.
A review will allow your board to:
- Be more skilled, focused, strategic and effective
- Be clear in its vision and how it can achieve this
- Be confident that it has a clear delineation of roles and responsibilities
- Have the appropriate skills, and a sufficiency of committed governors or academy trustees to meet its needs
- Hold leaders to account for improving outcomes for all pupils, particularly those who are disadvantaged
- Have appropriate oversight of finances and ensuring value for money
- Assure compliance
- Continuously improve
Can academies and MATs have reviews?
Yes- in fact the Academy Trust Handbook states:
The Department’s strong preference is that external reviews of governance are also conducted routinely as part of a wider programme of self-assessment and improvement.
The Charity Governance Code also recommends that boards undertake external reviews every 3 years.
What is involved in a review for an individual school?
A review for an individual school or academy will typically take 2 days and will be personalised to your needs. Typically this will involve:
- A review of documentation
- Face-to-face discussions with the head, governors/trustees and clerk
- Possible observation of a meeting
- Feedback and a written report with recommendations
- Optional half-day follow up in 9-12 months.
What is involved in a review for a MAT?
MAT reviews are bespoke depending on the governance structure and whether you want to review the Trust bard only or look at local boards in addition. These can be set up over any number of days, as appropriate.
Further details
- Timescale- 2 days for individual schools or academies and MATs, 1 day for small schools
- Cost- £1,200 plus VAT for 2 day reviews
- £650 plus VAT for 1 day reviews
- Individually agreed pricing for MATs according to the structure of the review requested.
- Depending on location there may be additional costs for travel and accommodation.
- Reviews can be carried out online if preferred.
Enquiries
Please use the form below and if you do not receive a response with a few days, please check your junk folder for an email from ifpd@ifptrust.co.uk