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Central Training Courses
Governor training courses on offer in 2007-08:
Courses for Governors with specific interests, responsibilities or links:
Introduction to Governance
This a shortened version of the Induction Course and gives an overview of the work of the Governing Body.
The course took place in the Autumn Term 2007, but if any Governors are interested, please contact Kathryn Rangeley, Governor Training Officer, as additional courses can be arranged.
Telephone: 0114 250 6892 or email kathryn.rangeley@sheffield.gov.uk
Induction Courses for New Governors
All new governors (including teacher and other staff governors) are encouraged to take part in an induction course.
The course follows guidelines and uses materials provided by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF). We suggest that governors do the course as soon as possible after their first meeting. Governors in their first year would still find the course useful. Content includes:
- composition of governing bodies
- responsibilities
- powers and duties
- getting to know your school
- managing the business: termly meetings, committee meetings, the headteacher’s report
- an introduction to the data available to schools
- school improvement planning
- monitoring and evaluation
- inspection
We will run the course at your school if you can give us the names of six governors who would like to attend. These could come from your school or neighbouring schools. We can also offer a reduced version of the course during the day for groups of governors who are unable to attend evening training sessions. Please note that the course lasts for 4 evening sessions or 2 daytime sessions. Dates are listed below:
Spring Term
Tuesdays, 19 and 26 February, 4 and 11 March 20086.30 – 9.00 pmQuaker Meeting House
Wednesdays 27 February and 5, 12 and 19 March 20086.30 – 9.00 pmQuaker Meeting HouseSaturdays 1 and 8 March 20089.30 am – 3.00 pm (Lunch provided)Quaker Meeting HouseSummer Term
Tuesdays 8, 15, 22 and 29 April 20086.30 – 9.00 pmQuaker Meeting HouseSaturdays 7 and 14 June 20089.30 am – 3.00 pm (Lunch provided)Quaker Meeting House
We can also provide a workbook and CD Rom for governors who are unable to attend the training sessions and feel happy working through the material on their own. It is free to those who have bought in to the training package.
The Effective Chair
This course is aimed at Chairs and Vice Chairs of the governing body and Chairs of committees. Governors who are considering standing for the position of Chair will also find the course useful. Topics covered are:
- Effective meetings
- Encouraging participation by everyone
- How to focus discussion
Spring Term
Monday 17 March 20086.30 – 9.00 pmQuaker Meeting House
Taking the Chair
A 5 module course for Chairs and Vice-Chairs of Governing Bodies, aiming to:
- Strengthen and develop the capacity of Chairs to lead the work of the Governing Body
- Deepen their understanding of the role of the Chair
- Enhance Chairs’ confidence and skills in managing the role
- Encourage them to make good use of the skills and knowledge of others
Module 1
The Chair and the Headteacher
Tuesday 15 January 2008
6.30 – 9.00 pm
Quaker Meeting House
Module 2The Chair and the GovernorsSaturday 2 February 20089.30 am – 1.00 pm (Lunch Provided)Quaker Meeting HouseModule 3Leading and managing the work of the Governing BodyThursday 28 February 20086.30 pm – 9.00 pmQuaker Meeting HouseModule 4Leading and Managing StrategySaturday 15 March 20089.00 am – 1.00 pm (Lunch Provided)Quaker Meeting HouseModule 5Leading and Managing AccountabilityWednesday 9 April 20086.30 – 9.00 pmQuaker Meeting House
Safer Recruitment and Interviewing Skills
**This is a change of course from that advertised in the training booklet**
Originally a four day course, this now takes place in one day, and covers the process of making appointments and safeguarding.
Originally a four day course, this now takes place in one day, and covers the process of making appointments and safeguarding.
Spring Term
Wednesday 20 February 20089.30 am – 4.00 pm (Lunch provided)Bannerdale Centre
Health and Safety
This course gives an outline of governors’ responsibilities in relation to Health and Safety. The trainers will raise governors’ awareness of typical safety hazards on school sites and risk assessment procedures. They will also explain how policies and codes of practice are processed the Local Authority (LA). Governors will have the opportunity to ask questions about specific issues relating to their schools
Spring Term
Monday 10 March 20086.30 – 9.00 pmHeritage Park SchoolNorfolk Park RoadSheffield S2 2RU
Student Voice - Where Do Governors Fit In?
It is becoming increasingly important for schools to consult pupils and to listen to the ‘student voice’. OFSTED inspectors may ask to speak to the School Council during an inspection to find out what pupils think about their school. They will also ask pupils about their learning and the self-evaluation form (SEF) requires schools to show that they seek the views of pupils.
This course examines the issues raised when setting up a School Council and highlights the role of the governing body in the process. Participants will also look at ways in which the progress of a School Council can be monitored. Participants will also be able discuss how they might ask about how children know about their learning and their progress.
Spring Term
Thursday 31 January 20086.30 – 8.30 pmQuaker Meeting House
Safeguarding Children (Including Child Protection)
Governors with a particular responsibility for child protection are encouraged to attend this session, but all governors are welcome. OfSTED Inspectors ask whether governors have had training in this area, so all schools are asked to ensure that at least one governor has attended one of these sessions. The session will cover:
- Integration of services in Sheffield
- Local and national developments
- Links to the curriculum
- Roles and responsibilities of the Governing Body
Spring Term
Monday 31 January 20086.30 – 8.30pmCharnock Hall Primary SchoolCarter Hall RoadSheffield S12 3HS
Performance Management
We suggest that all governors newly appointed to be responsible for Headteacher Performance Management should attend one of these sessions. The session will:
- Offer new governors an overview of the process
- Provide experienced governors with an update on current arrangements
- Outline the respective responsibilities of the governing body and the headteacher.
- Effective monitoring.
Courses took place in the Summer and Autumn Terms, 2007. The next one will be in the Summer 2008.
Minute Taking for Clerks to Governing Bodies
This session is for clerks, members of the Governing Body and office staff who take minutes and offer advice at Governing Body or Committee meetings, and covers the following:
- The language and terminology used by Governing Bodies
- What to include and what to leave out
- Ensuring accurate records for OfSTED and audit purposes
- Using the minutes to ensure that tasks are carried out
The published course took place in the Autumn Term 2007, but additional courses are available throughout the year. Please go to the New and Additional Courses page to find details of the next one.
Courses for Governors with Specific Roles or Responsibilities
The Role of the Training Co-ordinator Governor
This course offers training governors the opportunity to meet others doing the same role and will cover the following:
- Identifying the training needs of your governing body
- Keeping track of training
- Suggestions for next year’s training programme
Spring Term
Tuesday 5 February 20086.30 – 8.30 pmQuaker Meeting House
The Role of the Parent Governor
This session offers the opportunity to explore the role of the parent governor and the trainer will discuss the following topics:
- Building the relationship between parents and the school
- Dealing with complaints
- The difference between being a parent helper and a parent governor
Participants will have the opportunity to share experiences and concerns with other parent governors.
Spring Term
Thursday 13 March 20089.30am – 12.30 pm (Lunch provided)Quaker Meeting House
The Role of the Staff Governor
This course is for both teacher and support staff governors and will cover the following:
- The key roles of the Governing Body
- Reporting back to colleagues
- Areas of potential conflict
There are currently no courses arranged, but if any Governors are interested, please contact Kathryn Rangeley, Governor Training Officer, as additional courses can be arranged.
Telephone: 0114 250 6892 or email kathryn.rangeley@sheffield.gov.uk
Local Authority Governor - A Briefing
This session will be useful for all Local Authority governors, not just those who have been recently appointed. The trainer will help governors to answer the questions ‘whom do I represent and how’.
There are currently no courses arranged, but if any Governors are interested, please contact Kathryn Rangeley, Governor Training Officer, as additional courses can be arranged. Telephone: 0114 250 6892 or email kathryn.rangeley@sheffield.gov.uk
The Role of the Governor with Curriculum Links
This course is intended for governors who have links with a curriculum area, including the special needs governor. It aims to give governors the opportunity to meet others carrying out a similar role as well as to discuss liaising with subject co-ordinators and reporting back to the full governing body. The trainer will make links with the self-evaluation process and the SEF (self-evaluation form).
Summer Term
Wednesday 16 April 20086.30 – 8.30pmQuaker Meeting House
Pupil Discipline Committees
The respective roles of the Headteacher, Governors and Clerk
National advice on exclusions from school suggests that all Governors involved in pupil exclusions should have training. In order to meet this requirement, we have organised some training for Governors, Headteachers and Clerks to Discipline Committees.
The session will be led by members of the City Council's Legal Team. Further details of the content of the session will be available in mid-September. Please contact the Governor Support Team if you would like further information when it is available.
This course will take place in Autumn Term 2008.
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