Agenda Item No 8

The Vale of Glamorgan Council

Learning and Culture Scrutiny Committee: 18 September 2018

Report of the Director of Learning and Skills

Governor Training Report for the 2017/18 Academic Year

Purpose of the Report

1. To report on governor training for the 2017/18 academic year.

Recommendation

That Scrutiny Committee (Learning and Culture) note the report.

Reason for the Recommendation

This report was previously requested by the Chairman of Scrutiny Committee (Lifelong Learning) and is now an annual item.  It will be presented in September each year to report on governor training for the preceding academic year.

Background

2. There are approximately 850 governors managing 56 schools within the Vale of Glamorgan.  Governors play a key role in school improvement.  Welsh Government has made legislation that introduced mandatory training for school governors for certain elements from September 2013.  The mandatory elements cover induction, data, chair and clerk training and as such are a major focus of our governor training programme.

Relevant Issues and Options

3. In the 2017/18 academic year a total of 39 courses were held covering 17 different topics ranging from the twice yearly education update and briefing sessions for Chairs and experienced governors to Induction training for newly appointed governors. Most courses are run at the Civic Offices, Barry at no cost and are delivered at various times, mostly during the evening to maximise attendance as many governors work during the day. Courses last around 2 hours each and whilst the method of delivery varies by course and trainer, interaction and sharing of good practice is positively encouraged to ensure the maximum benefit for attendees.
4. A summary table of the data from the 565 completed evaluation forms for 39 governor training courses during the 2017/18 academic year is given overleaf.

5. As can be seen from the above table and Appendix 1, analysis of the completed evaluation forms indicates that a very high number of governors have rated the training (both mandatory and other topics) as either good or very good against each of the 3 questions asked on the form. An example of the evaluation form is given at Appendix 2.
6. It can be seen from the table below that the average percentage performance on each of the questions in 2017/18 was virtually the same as 2016/17 with only very slight variations even though 9 more courses were delivered and 128 more evaluations were completed. Even with this significant extra provision the same very high percentages of good or very good for each question have been maintained for the fourth year in a row.
7. Following last year's report the Chairman requested that this information also be presented in a mandatory/non mandatory course split format and a table is included at the end of Appendix 1 accordingly.

8. Since September 2016 the Central South Consortium (CSC) has delivered all the mandatory training elements (induction, data, chair and clerk) but the courses are still being delivered on a local basis i.e. within each Local Authority.
9. Elearning for all the mandatory training elements continues to be available to any governors who cannot attend training sessions so every opportunity is available for governors to fulfil the mandatory requirements. Termly briefing sessions and an Annual Governor Conference on topical areas of interest will continue to be run by the CSC and details will be circulated direct to governors when available.

Resource Implications (Financial and Employment)

10. All the training is delivered by Council or Consortium employees at Council or Consortium venues so there are no additional costs for delivery. However, there are nominal costs for basic refreshments as most governors attend training sessions straight from work at the end of the day.

Sustainability and Climate Change Implications

11. None directly arising from this report.

Legal Implications (to Include Human Rights Implications)

12. All Local Authorities must provide training for governors in accordance with The Education Measure (Wales) 2011 to enable them to fulfil their roles.  Mandatory elements for induction, data, chair and clerk training are required by The Government of Maintained Schools (Training Requirements for Governors) (Wales) Regulations 2013.

Crime and Disorder Implications

13. None directly arising from this report.

Equal Opportunities Implications (to include Welsh Language issues)

14. Governor training opportunities within the medium of Welsh will continue to be available during the 2018/19 academic year.

Corporate/Service Objectives

15. Governor training is an essential component of the school improvement agenda and it is a statutory requirement that all Local Authorities provide it. It enables governors to fulfil their roles effectively by challenging schools to improve and contributes to the Council's Wellbeing Outcome 3: An Aspirational and Culturally Vibrant Vale and to Corporate Objective 5: raising overall standards of achievement.

Policy Framework and Budget

16. This is a matter for noting by the Scrutiny Committee (Learning and Culture).

Consultation (including Ward Member Consultation)

17. Ward member consultation is not applicable.

Relevant Scrutiny Committee

18. Learning and Culture.

Background Papers

The Education Measure (Wales) 2011

The Government of Maintained Schools (Training Requirements for Governors) (Wales) Regulations 2013

Contact Officer

John Sparks

Officers Consulted

Lisa Lewis, Operational Manager, Strategy and Resources

Responsible Officer

Paula Ham, Director of Learning and Skills