Our governor training sessions are designed to make sure that you're fully equipped with the information you need to support your school. The sessions aim to make sure you feel confident to be able to provide challenge to the headteacher of the school. They'll also help you to get the most out of your role.
Cost of training
Sessions are fully subsidised by the Barnsley Schools' Alliance. Governors in all schools and academies in the Barnsley borough can attend the sessions at no charge to the school/academy.
Book a course
You can book a place on a course by emailing us at admin-governorsservices@barnsley.gov.uk. Please tell us your name, school, governor category, email address and phone number.
Spaces on each course are limited, so request to book your place early to avoid disappointment.
Cancelling a course
If you need to cancel a place on a course email admin-governorsservices@barnsley.gov.uk as soon as possible. If we receive less than 48 hours notice of non-attendance the school/academy will be charged a £55 cancellation fee.
Courses
Sessions will be delivered either in person or virtually. Unless otherwise stated, the in-person sessions will be held at HCAT Offices. These are located at 4 Great Cliffe Road, Dodworth, Barnsley, S75 3SP. Parking is available.
For all sessions please plan to arrive, or log onto the virtual session, 30 minutes before the start time. Please note that it is especially important to arrive before 6pm at the HCAT offices to be let into the Training Unit.
Thursday 3 October 2024 | Early Years Foundation Training for Governors | HCAT offices | 6pm to 7.30pm |
Tuesday 22 October 2024 | Health and Safety Governor Training | HCAT offices | 6pm to 7.30pm |
Tuesday 24 October 2024 | Suspension and Exclusion - the role of the governor | HCAT offices | 6pm to 7.30pm |
Thursday 14 November 2024 | Chairing the Governing Body | HCAT offices | 6pm to 7.30pm |
Wednesday 20 November 2024 | Governor Induction: 'Welcome to Governance! | HCAT offices | 5.30pm to 8pm |
Thursday 21 November 2024 | Early Years Foundation Training for Governors | Microsoft Teams | 6pm to 7.30pm |
Tuesday 26 November 2024 | Safeguarding for Governors | HCAT offices | Arrive 5pm for start 5.30pm to 8.30pm |
Tuesday 14 January 2025 | Early Years Foundation Training for Governors | Microsoft Teams | 6pm to 7.30pm |
Thursday 30 January 2025 | SEND – The role of the Governor | HCAT offices | 6pm to 7.30pm |
Tuesday 4 February 2025 | Governor's roles and responsibilities: Ensuring effective financial management | HCAT offices | 6pm to 7.30pm |
Tuesday 4 March 2025 | Early Years Foundation Training | HCAT offices | 6pm to 7.30pm |
Tuesday 4 March | Handling Complaints | Jump Primary School | 6pm to 7.30pm |
Thursday 8 May 2025 | Safeguarding for Governors | Jump Primary School | Arrive 5pm for start 5.30pm to 8.30pm |
Date | Session | Delivery method | Time |
More sessions are being finalised and will be available soon.
About the sessions
Finance for LA maintained schools: comprehensive understanding of the schools financial value standard (SFVS)
Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the Schools Financial Value Standard (SFVS).
SFVS is a crucial tool that helps schools demonstrate their financial efficiency and transparency. In this session, participants will learn the key components of SFVS. They'll learn how to interpret and use financial data effectively, and how to ensure their school's financial practices meet the required standards. The training will empower governors to make informed decisions and contribute to sound financial management.
Audience
All governors in LA maintained schools.
Led by
Victoria Harrison
Handling complaints
This course will look at the Headteacher's and Governing Board's relative roles and powers when handling both 'informal' and 'formal' complaints. These complaints may be from parents or other members of the community.
The session will look at effective practice in the early stages. This is to ensure that complaints are handled appropriately in order that they are resolved satisfactorily.
Aims and objectives
- To know what constitutes a complaint;
- To know how to deal with complaints on an informal basis;
- To be familiar with BMBC’s model complaints procedure and the role of governors within this;
- To understand the role of the investigating officer for the governing board (Stage 1);
- To understand the role of the governing board complaints panel (Stage 2).
Audience
All Governors
Led by
Peter Bell, School Governance and Alliance Board Service Manager
Local Area SEND Ofsted Inspection
In January 2023, Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) adopted a new framework for jointly inspecting local area arrangements to support children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). These inspections assess how effectively education, health, and social care services in the local area work together to improve experiences and outcomes for children and young people with SEND aged 0 to 25 years, and their families. Barnsley is now due to be inspected by Ofsted and the CQC.
Aims and objectives
This will be a chance for you to understand how education will be focused on during the inspection and what this means for your school/setting.
Audience
All Governors
Led by
Bev Bradley (SEND Improvement Service Manager)
Safeguarding for governors
Statutory for all governors, according to Statutory guidance Keeping Children Safe in Education 2022. Attendees are expected to be aware of this document. Ch 2 will be covered in the session.
Aims and objectives
- Define safeguarding and consider the role of the governor.
- Recognise safeguarding legislation, guidance and inspection criteria for Education.
- Recognise vulnerable groups and consider current issues including Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment/Online Safety/Safer Working Practices.
- Reflect on issues and lessons learnt for Education in Serious Cases.
- Consider culture and how to ‘temperature check’ your setting in relation to safeguarding responsibilities.
Audience
All Governors
Led by
Vicki Maybin, Safeguarding Advisor for Education, Wakefield Safeguarding Children Partnership
SEND – The role of the Governor
The law requires governing boards to use their ‘best endeavours’ (do everything they can) to ensure that pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) get the support they need.
Statutory guidance, the SEND code of practice, is clear that boards should appoint a link governor/trustee to lead on the board’s monitoring of support for pupils with SEND.
In practice, SEND link governors and trustees should work closely with the special educational needs coordinator (SENCO) in their school or trust.
Aims and objectives
- This will be a chance for you to understand how the Code of Practice provides statutory guidance on duties, policies and procedures relating to Part 3 of the Children and Families Act 2014 and associated regulations. It relates to children and young people with special educational needs (SEN) and disabled children and young people.
- You will learn how your role as SEND Governor should be carried out and develop understanding of the 4 broad areas of need.
- There will be opportunities to understand more about the context of the local area and to examine local data sets including academic outcomes.
Led by
Bev Bradley (SEND Improvement Service Manager)
Suspension and exclusion - the role of the governor
This session provides governors with an overview and understanding of the guidance and legislation in relation to suspension and exclusion. It will show the important role governors play in making sure the process is correctly followed and schools are doing all they can to prevent suspensions and exclusions.
Audience
School governors
Led by
Jane Allen Service Manager Education Welfare and Pupil Inclusion
The graduated approach and the importance of early identification
Barnsley has the highest number of suspensions and permanent exclusions in England. Most of these can be related back to SEND and/or unmet/unidentified need. This session will explore how early identification of SEN is key to meeting the needs of children at the earliest opportunity. We will explore the role of all staff and the support that is available through the local authority and wider networks.
Aims and objectives
The session will cover:
- The current landscape of SEND nationally and locally
- What the graduated approach is
- How schools should use documentation to support evidencing progress towards outcomes
- Identifying and meeting the needs of children at the earliest opportunity
- Overcoming barriers and understanding challenges
- Support available
Audience
All Governors
Led by
Bev Bradley (SEND Improvement Service Manager)
Welcome to governance
Highly recommended for all new governors.
The purpose of this session is to make sure you know and understand what is required of you as a governor. As part of this role you'll contribute to the work of your governing board and you'll help it to fulfil its statutory duties. The session aims to provide you with the insights and the confidence to contribute effectively in your first year as a new governor.
Aims and objectives
The session covers:
- knowing and understanding the core functions of the governing board and the key features of effective governance;
- the governing board’s accountability to, and relationship with others (e.g. Ofsted, DFE, LA, Diocese);
- the governance structure of the organisation, including its constitution and procedures, scheme of delegation and how and where decisions can be made.
Audience
All new governors, including for maintained schools and academies (including at local and trust levels).
Led by
Brian Beal, Education Consultant
For more information
Call (01226) 773747 or