The Governing Chatters Podcast

Join us for the final episode of Governing Chatters for this academic year as we take a retrospective journey through the challenges we've faced and celebrate our accomplishments.  In this episode, we'll delve into the key challenges that schools and trusts have encountered throughout the year and explore the implications of the upcoming outcome of the STRB (School Teachers' Review Body). We have...

Welcome to this episode of our podcast, where we delve into the world of governance professionals and explore what it takes to build a successful career as a self-employed governance professional. Joining Amy Wright, NGA's Clerking Development Manager, are Laura Corcoran and Ellie Hully who both have extensive experience and are eager to share their insights. We tackle a range of issues that are c...

In the latest episode of Governing Chatters, Fiona Fearon is joined by Catherine Roche, the chief executive of Place2Be, Lucy Bartley, chief executive of Two Ten Therapy and Ben Levinson, the headteacher at Kensington Primary School as we explore pupil mental health and wellbeing. This year’s theme for Children's Mental Health Week is Let’s Connect. Fiona, Catherine, Lucy and Ben discuss what that...

Join Emma Knights, Steve Edmonds, San Henson and Emma Balchin as they look forward to what is on the education horizon in 2023, whether it is the implementation of parts of the white paper, the need for action on SEND and the welcome news from the autumn fiscal statement and what that means for governors and trustees. We also look forward to some of the exciting NGA plans for the year.

In the latest episode of Governing Chatters, Emma Knights is joined by long-time friend of NGA, Andy Buck to talk about the vital relationship between the chair of the board and the executive leader, whether that be a head teacher of a school or a chief executive of a trust and how that relationship can be supportive, challenging and secure. Emma and Andy explore some of the key habits that help t...

Making EdTech work for you In this month’s podcast, Steve Edmonds and Nina Sharma explored the increasing prevalence and reliance on technology in our schools and classrooms. We wanted  to find out how those who are governing keep pace with these developments and ensure that technology is being used effectively. Steve and Nina were joined by Al Kingsley, Chair of trustees, Hampton Academies Trust...

As we start a new academic year, Emma Knights, Sam Henson and Steve Edmonds discuss the challenges schools are facing. With a new prime minister and secretary of state we explore what is sitting in the in-tray for the new ministerial team at the Department for Education, particularly the financial challenges schools are dealing with. We also explore the findings from NGA’s annual governance survey...

In the latest episode of Governing Chatters, Sam Henson and Nina Sharma discuss NGA’s latest report on school inspection. Following on from our report that looked at Ofsted’s newly introduced education inspection framework in 2020 which identified key issues and areas to address, the latest report highlights where Ofsted inspection practice has since changed or improved. Sam and Nina discuss the e...

In our latest episode, Emma Knights is joined by Sam Henson and Steve Edmonds to discuss the recently published white paper ‘Opportunity for all: Strong schools with great teachers for your child’ sets out the government’s vision for the future of education which was swiftly followed by the green paper, 'SEND review, Right Support, Right Place, Right Time'. Emma, Sam and Steve discuss what was inc...

In this edition of Governing Chatters, Sam Tranter is joined by two members of NGA’s Young Governors’ Network, Anju Dhir and Matthew McKirgan to talk  about their experiences of being a young governor, the importance of diversity of thought and representation on boards and what they have learnt from governing. You can read the full report on increasing participation in governance here.      You ca...

In our latest episode of Governing Chatters, Steve Edmonds discusses staff development with Mandy Coalter, Founder of Talent Architects and Gareth Alcott, Director of Strategic partnerships at the National College of Education. In a thoughtful discussion, Steve, Mandy and Gareth explore the key points in establishing a culture of CPD within a school or Trust, how to make the most of the CPD budget...

In our latest episode of Governing Chatters, Emma Knights is joined by Sam Henson, Emma Balchin and Steve Edmonds as they discuss the challenges faced by schools as they start the new term. Download the episode now as we discuss wellbeing for leaders, staff and pupils and how you can best support each other as well as the challenge of accountability in the current climate. We also explore how to b...

Join NGA's Director of Policy and Information, Sam Henson along with Fiona Fearon, Nina Sharma and Megan Tate as they discuss the findings from the 2021 annual governance survey, interpret the data and look ahead to the challenges of 2021

In our latest episode we are joined by three Chairs and Governors to discuss how you can increase participation in governance and why diversity on boards is important. We explore how boards have diversified their membership and supported new governors and trustees when they join.

After a break over the summer, Governing Chatters is back. In the first episode of the autumn term, Emma Knights, Sam Henson and Steve Edmonds discuss the big issues facing you this term. They discuss plans for school returns, covid recovery and recap on the Ofsted framework for inspection. Alongside this, they explore the role of skills audits, look ahead to the rest of the autumn term’s events a...

In this month’s podcast, Emma Knights, Steve Edmonds and Emma Balchin looked at pupil wellbeing, what do we mean by it and what does the current data tell us. What are the key elements for building a whole school culture that supports pupils and engages them directly?   We also explored the importance of induction and CPD in supporting new and experienced governors to make an impact and deliver th...

Following the launch of NGA's latest report, MATs Moving Forward, we look at the key issues of the report and how they apply across all schools. 

In our latest episode of Governing Chatters we have a fascinating discussion with four outstanding clerks who give us their insight on how you manage relationships, foster a culture of challenge and enable effective governance remotely.

In this episode we are delighted to be joined by some of the key figures involved in the development of the Ethical Leadership framework and the Pathfinder project. We’ll be talking to them about how they have used the pathfinder project in their school(s) and the impact the work has had.  

Christmas is a time for reflection, today we are going to look back on what we have learnt from the seminars, reflect on where we are with Covid and the impact on the sector. We are also going to look at what we have learnt from such a strange year and with a sense of optimism(?) look ahead to what 2021 might contain.     Thanks to Pixabay ( https://pixabay.com/ ) and DL Sounds ( https://www.dl-so...

Join us as we discuss the latest on how schools operate through the autumn term and deal with the challenges of the pandemic.  We also look ahead to our annual conference seminar series which will look at the Governing Board's role in:  Closing the disadvantage gap for pupils Promoting diversity & equality in senior leadership The well-being and retention of senior leadership  The future outlook f...

Schools are open and children in the main are returning to school thanks to the efforts of senior leaders, staff and governors. It has been a remarkable effort to get everything ready.   That effort can come at a cost and today we want to focus on leadership, the headline findings from our latest annual governance survey on leadership as well as the recruitment, well-being, appraisal and developme...

As we start a new academic year, schools returning fully for the first time since lockdown, we look at some of things NGA has been up to during August.  Emma Knights, Sam Henson and Emma Balchin look at the Annual Governance Survey, Skills Audits and Board reflection as well as the implications of the student grade decisions made during August. 

Well, that has been a busy summer term, it has been testament to the strength of boards and senior leadership along with their staff that we have come through the lockdown the way we have.   August is a chance for us all to take stock of where we are,  look ahead to the new academic year and look at the big strategic issues we face..

Join Emma Knights, Sam Henson, Emma Balchin and Steve Edmonds as they discuss the latest policy announcements from DfE and they make sense of where we are now. We explore the key issues in planning for the September return to school, catch up money and how and what you should be focussed on monitoring if you can’t visit your school.