The Governors' Podcast

Send a text Something new for this episode... after 18 months of radio silence. Thank you for tuning into our show. We appreciate you, our listeners. Please rate, review and subscribe to our podcast. Open, honest and transparent discussions about Governance, and how we govern... with your host Olivia D Hinds | Connect with Olivia on LinkedIn Watch Olivia's Being a School Governor video series...

Send a text Welcome to the academic year 2024-25! This episode offers a compelling mix of personal updates, professional insights, and forward-looking strategies to enrich your governance journey. By listening to this episode, you will:- Catch up with the hosts as they reflect on their activities over the summer, discussing how the month of August uniquely impacts those working in Education and Ed...

Send a text For today's Single Item Agenda to close the summer term of 23/24, we are joined by guest speaker; Kenji Batchelor, an Education Law Partner in Bristol, specialises in advising independent and special schools on legal issues, governance, and strategic projects, with over 14 years of board experience. By listening to this episode, you will:- Understand the Governance of Independent...

Send a text For today's Single Item Agenda we are joined by a guest speaker; Amy Whittall, Executive Director for Trust Development at The Mercian Trust, oversees People Leadership and Organisational Culture, after nearly 7 years as Headteacher of King Edward VI Handsworth School for Girls. By listening to this episode, you will:- Trace the exceptional journey of an education leader evolving...

Send a text For today's Single Item Agenda we are joined by a guest speaker; Dr Karl George MBE, a thought-leader and internationally established consultant in governance, is a Partner and Head of Governance at RSM, part of the ESG team. By listening to this episode, you will:- Explore the remarkable journey of a leading corporate governance practitioner, spanning from a background in finance...

Send a text For today's Single Item Agenda (episode), we discuss; Meeting packs (meeting papers) that school governors and academy trustees receive to read in preparation for upcoming governing board meetings The importance of the agenda item ‘Minutes of the Previous Meeting’ and how to approach it - Don’t simply scroll, skip or skim past this paper! The process of taking minutes, reading and...

Send a text For today's Single Item Agenda (episode), as we acknowledge 3 years of the podcast, we discuss; Transitioning from the end of the autumn term to the beginning of the spring term and how to ensure we retain our current volunteers and encourage others to join The volume of emails from mailing list subscriptions in the education governance space and managing your inboxes to avoid ove...

Send a text For today's Single Item Agenda (episode) we are joined by a guest speaker; Shekeila Scarlett, an Operations Manager for Transport for London and one of the youngest Chair of Governors in the country, governing at the only maintained secondary school in Hackney  T o discuss; Personal experience of the UK education system and the impact on life and career, incl. school bullying, the...

Send a text For today's Single Item Agenda (episode) we are joined by a guest speaker; Paula Thorne, currently serving as a parent governor and EDI link governor at a primary school which has recently (as of 2023) received an Ofsted rating of ‘Outstanding’ in all categories T o discuss; Being and championing parent governors When Ofsted arrives after over a decade, at the end of an academic y...

Send a text For today's Single Item Agenda (episode) we discuss; Attending conferences and events in the Education sector - When and where do they take place? Who organises/hosts/delivers them? What can governors, trustees, clerks and governance professionals, senior leaders and others gain from these? How governance conferences differ from governor training Boost your Continuous Professional...

Send a text For today's Single Item Agenda (episode) we begin Season 4 and a new academic year with a guest speaker; Nick Hudson, former CEO of Ormiston Academies Trust (OAT), joins us to discuss juggling operational and strategic leadership What does the role of a CEO of a 40+ schools Multi-Academy Trust look like? The recruitment process of a MAT Chief Executive - Are there key skills and q...

Send a text For today's Single Item Agenda (episode) we discuss; The finale of Season 3 of this podcast and its recent achievement, ranked No.4 out of 70 for the Best UK Education podcasts across 1000s - https://blog.feedspot.com/uk_education_podcasts/   An email from a listener about the experiences of being a young governor on governing boards How the education space is changing based on in...

Send a text For today's Single Item Agenda (episode) we discuss; How to give and receive constructive criticism - Being a critical friend How environments can influence how you show up - The significance of preparing for meetings to avoid awkward silences Navigating different personalities and delivery styles when communicating  What are your barriers to success and/or progression? Suggestion...

Send a text For today's Single Item Agenda (episode) we discuss; The change in intensity throughout the academic year - Are you always crawling or counting down to the next school holidays? How to better understand ‘Apologies’ for meetings - and learning not to feel guilty if you need to say ‘No’ or take a step away Balancing commitments and priorities can feel like spinning plates The signif...

Send a text Happy 2023! For today's Single Item Agenda (episode) we discuss; The matrix of answering the question “What do you do?” Spotlight yourself! Opening up the dialogue about ‘Governance’ within your current circles - personal and professional, with family members, friends and coworkers What does volunteering look like? How does education/school governance show up in that category?  Te...

Send a text To celebrate 10,000+ downloads / listens in less than 2 years, for today's Single Item Agenda (episode) we share/respond to comments and questions we’ve received from you, our listeners. We want to thank you all, with special mention of messages from;  Paula - Ideas for EDI / DEI / D&I in schools and academies, and a Link Governor Role Description James - Governance Can Be “St...

Send a text For today's Single Item Agenda (episode) we discuss; The Schedule of Meeting Dates and Times - From Meetings During School Day To Evenings After The Standard Work Hours Do Meeting Times, Location and Durations Create Barriers For Entry, Retention and/or Progression? Implementing Reviews For A Holistic View Of The Governing Board(s) How Do Companies and Organisations Handle Their E...

Send a text For today's Single Item Agenda (episode) we kickstart Season 3 and discuss; How To Navigate The Strategic vs. Operational Landscape At A Governing Board Level The New Suspensions and Exclusions Guidance (September 2022) and Appreciating The Process For Those Writing Policies Asking Questions and Setting Plans For Yourself As An Individual Governor/Trustee First Wearing Different H...

Send a text For today's Single Item Agenda (episode) we wrap up Season 2 and discuss; The Visibility, Voices and Value of Clerks and Governance Professionals Clerks Are Fundamental In The Coordination and Execution of Good Governance Practice and Procedure, incl. Exclusion Panels, Staff Complaints Committees, Appeals, as well as All The Other Meetings and Movements of Governors and Trustees a...

Send a text For today's Single Item Agenda (episode) we invite our FIRST special guest, and discuss; Different Places and Resources To Become More Informed About Governance in Education, ie. The Hoot - https://thehoot.news/ Education Governance Needs To Go Beyond The Sector and Recognising the CPD Opportunities - What Is The Profile Of Governance In Wider Society? How Much Is Truly Understood...

Send a text For today's Single Item Agenda (episode), we discuss; What Are The 9 Protected Characteristics of the Equality Act 2010? Speaking From Lived Experiences The Importance of Representation - How You Can Attract, Find and Recruit Diverse Governors Who Feel A Connection To Your Environment / School Community - What You Say vs. What You Do… Matters! Diversity Begins With The Mind - How...

Send a text For today's Single Item Agenda (episode), we discuss; The Importance and Necessity of Diversity of Age On Boards and Governing Bodies - Bringing The Boardroom Into The 21st Century, By Having Younger People Around The Table Who Bring The Lived Experience Understanding the Difference Between Culture-Add and Culture-Fit How To Include The Student Voice In Strategic Spaces To Better...

Send a text For today's Single Item Agenda (episode), we discuss; Kickstarting A Diversity Mini Series and The Importance of Recognising, Honouring and Representing Difference (Protected Characteristics) - Let’s Have More Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Link Governors As Mandatory Roles with a Role Description Understanding That Your Lived Experiences Heavily Contribute To What You Can Spea...

Send a text For today's Single Item Agenda (episode), we discuss; The Myth of Requiring An Accountancy Background To Be A Member of the Finance Committee and/or Justifiably Participating In Discussions About The School’s Budget and Financial Activities Understanding The Money Management From The Inside - It’s Really Just Income and Expenditure But Narrative Is Also Necessary The Timescales Fo...

Send a text For today's Single Item Agenda (episode), we discuss; The Importance of Having a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Checking Cycle - How Long Is Too Long Without A New One? What Does Your Code of Conduct Say and Are Your Upholding It? Actual Barriers vs. Perceived Barriers - The Fear of The Past Haunting Present Day Opportunities To Give Back… Know For Certain! Ensuring Your Saf...