The Ministerial Working Group on School Governance review of the current system concludes that governors have done good work to support school improvement.
Key findings of the report, The 21st century school: Implications and challenges for governing bodies, include:
- The majority of governing bodies do a good job.
- Governing bodies need to be clear about their purpose and follow a defined set of principles for good governance of schools.
- There needs to be more clarity concerning the strategic management role of the governing body and the day-to-day management role of headteachers to ensure neither party crosses over into each other's role.
- The principle of stakeholder representation on governing bodies is essential but needs to be balanced against a requirement that all governing bodies have the necessary skills to carry out their tasks.
- Improvements to the training for chairs, new governors and clerks are required.
