This course will support governors to manage the school budget when there  is concern that there could be an in-year deficit or accumulated deficit budget.

It will allow governors to consider where savings could be made, some of which could happen immediately, others would be more long term. The session will also cover the role of:

• Greenwich finance team within this process and how they can support the school
• the terms of reference (TOR) for a deficit recovery committee (DRC)

Governors will:

• have the skills to identify a problem with the budget in time to take management action
• be able to identify savings that reduce the deficit without impacting on the quality of education
• understand the role of the Local Authority Finance Team
• if necessary, have a Deficit Recovery Committee with secure and relevant Terms of reference

All Governors, but particularly those serving on the finance/resources/business committee

During this session governors will have an opportunity to:  

• Understand how the Inspection Dashboard Summary Report (IDSR) is used by Ofsted when preparing for a school inspection
• Become familiar with how data is calculated and presented in the IDSR
• Have an opportunity to look at their own school's IDSR and consider questions they might want to raise to leaders
• Find out about key accountability measures for primary schools
• Consider best practice in assessment processes in Primary schools

Governors will develop strategies for:

• interrogating key school accountability measures
• effective questioning of leaders based on data presented
• identifying school improvement evidenced by in-school data

All Royal Greenwich Primary School Governors 

This course will cover the effective management of the Governing Board’s work, including:

• Establishing professional and supportive senior managers
• Ensuring that all the meetings are run effectively
• Managing meeting and agenda settings
• Ensuring the Governing Board is prepared for an Ofsted inspection
• Developing secure succession planning to ensure business continuity

Chair of Governors will:

• be able to challenge school performance
• be fully involved in school Improvement
• be able to hold strategic and focused meetings
• be able to ensure that the whole Governing Board becomes an effective and strategic group which robustly holds the school to account at all levels
• be able to secure an effective professional relationship with leaders at all levels
• be prepared for an Ofsted inspection

All Chairs, Vice Chairs or Chairs of Committees including Prospective Chairs

This course provides an opportunity for Governors to develop a strong focus on their core strategic functions below:

• Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
• Holding the Headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils
• Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent
• Meeting safeguarding responsibilities

Governors will:

• have a clear understanding of the role for which they have volunteered 
• become active participators and effective Governors as quickly as possible 
• understand how to get to know their school and how to challenge
• be confident when dealing with written information
• be able to interrogate data
• be confident in managing their accountability responsibilities
• understand their safeguarding role and responsibilities

New or recently appointed/elected Governors