Is Your Board Up To The Challenge?

This article discusses the importance of a strong governing board, to act as a check and a balance on executive decision making.

While aimed at academy trusts, the same principles apply to all schools, and indeed other organisations too.

Research released last year suggests that headteachers with the most successful records of turning round failing schools are challenged by between 30% and 60% of their governing body on key decisions.   

This reinforces the importance of a robust board, which has the knowledge and confidence to ask the right questions of headteachers and other senior employees. 

As a reminder, the governing board is responsible for establishing the vision, mission and values of the school, and setting the strategy and structure to implement that vision.  The executive staff team are responsible for the day-to-day operation of the school or schools, under the direction and supervision of the board.