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School Governor

New team at the Department for Education

The new Department for Education demonstrates the unfamiliar look of coalition politics with Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Teather taking on the role of Minister of State for Children and Families under the new Conservative Secretary of State for Education, Michael Gove

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Are you getting the best value from your ICT provision?

Where can schools get reliable information on ICT equipment? David Gordon looks at some useful sources

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Academies: how they are changing, and how your school can apply to become one

One of the new government’s key education reforms is well under way following the publication of the Academies Bill on 27 May 2010. With over 1,000 schools expressing a formal interest in becoming an academy, Katie Michelon examines how the Bill is changing the face of academies as we know them and looks at the process involved in becoming a ‘new academy’

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Are you helping your school to create good citizens?

Some schools still have a limited understanding of how to make citizenship education effective, according to a new report from Ofsted. David Gordon looks at the background to the report and describes a tool that governing bodies can use to evaluate the teaching of citizenship in their schools

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Why professional development is the key to school improvement

A recent Ofsted report has highlighted the role of governors in evaluating CPD. David Gordon examines the report and other sources of information that will be valuable to governors in this task

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The way forward for school governance?

The long-awaited report of the Ministerial Working Group on School Governance comments on the performance of governing bodies and makes recommendations for change. David Gordon examines its findings

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Why spending on teaching assistants could raise attainment

A new report has found that well deployed teaching assistants help raise a school’s attainment. David Gordon looks at the details

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E-safety: is your school doing enough?

Outstanding e-safety provision requires clear leadership vision and whole-school involvement. David Gordon looks at new recommendations from Ofsted

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A quick roundup of the main political parties’ school manifesto points

What do the four main parties (Labour, Conservative, Liberal Democrat and Green) have to say about education?

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Encouraging pupils to cycle to school

As Bike to School week approaches, David Gordon looks at what governors can do to make sure their school is ‘bike friendly’

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Secrets of outstanding schools

Two recent Ofsted reports highlight the characteristics of schools that have excelled against the odds. David Gordon examines the reports and looks at what governors can do to help their schools achieve and sustain excellence

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Get ready for tighter budgets

As the government warns schools to start planning for a period of austerity, David Gordon rounds up essential information to help your school prepare for the future

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Sustainability: a top priority for governors

As Ofsted urges schools to make sustainability a top priority in their improvement plans, David Gordon looks at what governors can do to help their school go green

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Tackling challenging staff behaviour

School business managers may sometimes be called upon to deal with staff behaviour that is causing problems – this week we look at how to deal effectively with this thorny issue

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How to detect fraudulent admissions applications

David Gordon looks at the problem of fraudulent admissions applications and provides a set of common ruses to look out for

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How governors can help schools to meet the behaviour challenge

School governors have been told that they can expect to be at the forefront of the government’s latest drive to improve behaviour in schools

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CPD for governors

This issue we take a look at ways of bringing governors into the fold when it comes to CPD and improving professional skills

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Secondary curriculum: guide for governors

Modular changes to A-Levels and the introduction of diplomas are just a few changes that have come to the secondary curriculum since September 2008. David Marriott offers a related guide for governors

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'Untrained volunteers' on governing bodies

Joan Sallis opposes the removal of 'untrained volunteers', such as parents and members of the community, from governing bodies - or the attempt to 'professionalise' them

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Governors: help or hindrance?

Do we really need governors? Roger Smith considers the governing role of this seemingly random assortment of stakeholders

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A leadership approach to good behaviour

A no-nonsense whole school approach to behaviour can be led from the top, says deputy headteacher David Morley, who here shares tips on how

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Value in linking school governors and school bursars

There is value in building a working link between school governors and school business managers says Crispin Andrews, who strongly advises bringing them into the senior leadership team

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Working with governors on G&T provision

It is important for gifted and talented (G&T) coordinators and leading teachers to garner the support of governors. G&T Update offers suggestions as to how and why governors can be an ally to those working with G&T

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Building an effective team of governors

How can a new team of governors work together to make sure that their efforts produce the most effective results possible? Joan Sallis believes a good team of governors needs to be managed from the start

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School Governor Update

Author: Edited by David Gordon

School Governor Update delivers news, professional tips and advice for school governors. The perfect companion for members of the school governing body and school leadership team to keep updated on issues most relevant to governors, with a strong editorial focus and digestible in-depth case studies

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Making the most of your partnership with governors

As part of Primary Leadership Focus, Jane Golightly considers the important role that governors play in a primary school, and affirms the importance of a good school-governor partnership

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Financial Management Standard made easy for schools

How can the process for meeting the government's Financial Management Standard be made more manageable for school governors? Lindsey Wharmby offers some tips

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Understanding the options for school exclusion

Many schools have rethought their exclusion policies since the sixth day exclusion law was introduced in September 2007. Eileen Field explains the options now surrounding school exclusion

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A year in the life of school governor

Joan Sallis looks back at the successes and obstacles she experienced during a year as a primary school governor, and considers the one ahead

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Education employment law: statutory leave and pay entitlements

Do you know your way around educational employment law? Does your school's pay and remuneration package meet or exceed minimum standards? Tamara Ludlow gives a legal overview of essential information for both leadership teams and staff

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Your positive moments in leadership and management

We've been collecting your stories about the inspiring and encouraging experiences you’ve had at work during 2008. Here is a collection of the leadership and management themed responses you sent to the question, What has been your most positive experience at work this year?

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Disability discrimination in schools

What are your responsibilities and obligations towards pupils at your school who are disabled? Mark Blois discusses the relevant legislation and explains what you need to know and do

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When can parents educate their children at home?

Michael Segal looks at a legal case where the parents' religious beliefs demanded that their children have home schooling

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Guide to school employment tribunals

Schools that are properly prepared for employment tribunal hearings can minimise cost and maximise their likelihood of success, writes Tamara Ludlow

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Governing bodies: helping schools be accountable

Does your governing body help your school remain accountable, and therefore more efficient? Stephen Adamson looks at how this should be done

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Accidents at school: liability in terms of supervision

In a move away from strict liability in terms of accidents at school, the courts have said that they are sometimes nobody’s fault. Kris Lines explains

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Independent Safeguarding Authority: a new vetting and barring system

With the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) due to launch at the end of 2009, Chris Webb-Jenkins takes a look at the practical implications of the complete overhaul of our vetting and barring system

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Creating a primary school: amalgamation

A headteacher and a governor from Havering report on their experiences of amalgamating an infant school with the neighbouring junior school

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School bursars as heads?

Should we be encouraging school business managers and bursars to progress into headship? Ruth Bradbury, who speaks on financial management at schools, voices her thoughts on the subject, as do three School Financial Management readers

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Self-evaluation with parents

Mark Chaplin shares insight into how primary headteachers can design a questionnaire for parents that will help them carry out effective self-evaluation at their primary school

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"Fitness to teach": a guide to the law for education providers

Your teaching staff must have the health and physical capacity to teach, but in assessing this you must make sure you comply with disability discrimination rules, says Yvonne Spencer

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Should 'suitable education' be defined by parents or LA?

Whose opinion takes precedence in a dispute over provision, asks Michael Segal - parent or local authority?

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School democracy: learning conversations

Are students and student voice involved in strategic decision making at your school? 'Learning conversations' at Rivington and Blackrod High School, near Bolton, means that they are, explains Ingrid Cox

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The future of SATs

Is this the last year for SATs? Sam Derby discusses a possible end to SATs, and looks at the opinion that the exams are "too stressful" for young pupils read more

Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006: impact on information sharing

If you work with children or vulnerable adults, there are difficult decisions regarding when to disclose sensitive information. Chris Webb-Jenkins examines the impact of the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 on this issue

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Governors: getting involved in your school's sport

Governors have a great chance to improve pupils opportunities for taking part in physical activity, with the government's school sport strategy read more

Reinstating an excluded pupil

Michael Segal explores a school's legal position in implementing a reinstatement order, and how far they are obliged to enforce it

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How to handle allegations against a member of staff

If a child makes a vague allegation is it OK to ask questions? How should an allegation against a member of staff be treated? Jenni Whitehead discusses some of the concerns facing managers when coping with these issues

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Admission appeals: how to avoid litigation

Admissions authorities and statutory appeal panels can avoid potential litigation from parents by using tactical decision making, says Yvonne Spencer read more

A mature governor reflects on 40 years in the education system

After celebrating her 80th birthday, Joan Sallis looks back and makes a plea for stability read more

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