‘Commissioned and funded by the Education and Training Foundation’

Welcome

Dear Subscriber

Welcome to Newsletter No 3 which supports the 'Supporting Governing' Project.

The circulation of a newsletter will be fortnightly and it will be designed to achieve three objectives

To provide stimulating insight into governing processes
To share interesting and useful governing practices*
To include a diary of, and access to, related governing support and development for Governors, Clerks, and senior staff in colleges

Dr Ron Hill
Editor: 'Governing Colleges' Newsletter

Hang on a minute……….. we're thinking more about clerks this time

This edition of our newsletter focuses on the Clerk to the Corporation. There is currently an intense spotlight on the future of colleges and Governing Bodies are expecting advice and guidance from their Clerks in some very difficult settings. There is also frustration from some Clerks who would like to provide more advice and leadership to their Governing Bodies but are prevented by limited appointment terms, limited admin support, limited professional development and uncertain status. This conclusion was evidenced by a study of Clerks in 2015 and will be published in a paper later this year as ‘The role of the Clerk to the Corporation in promoting legitimate governance of further education and sixth form colleges in England : A role in the governance of all educational institutions?’ by James, C., Hill, R., and Forrest, C.

We have created four on-line modules to support the development of Governing Bodies. All four modules should be relevant to the Clerk, and particularly Module 4 which encourages the use of a professional journal by the Clerk. The Clerk’s journal can be used for both self-reflection and also the tracking of Governing Body performance in relation to key themes (using evidence to inform professional opinion.) This approach to tracking ‘board performance’ is innovative and could be very revealing for the Clerk – who could then use this enriched insight to guide practice towards more effective governing.

Furthermore, for those Clerks (and Governing Body members) who prefer a timed development opportunity, professional dialogue and to learn with and from peers, I am facilitating a twilight webcam course. In session 4 we explore how to complete and use a professional journal as a means for self-reflection, tracking of Governing Body performance and gaining new insights for improvement. You will be able to design and use a professional journal format to suit your circumstances and the coaching sessions, which are an integral part of the course, will enable you to reflect on the impact of this process and refine it.

You can sign up for the course here.

Although this webcam course finishes in March 2017, I am committed to supporting participants (if desired) with support post-March, with a final review in July 2017.

The use of a professional journal should be helpful to new and experienced Clerks alike as structured professional self-reflection will always be worthwhile. The limited additional time for the completion of the Journal should become part of the Clerk’s regular consideration of the effectiveness of governing processes, particularly meetings of the Governing Body. Journal entries alongside the drafting minutes could be very helpful to broaden vision and give greater clarity to Governing Body impact.

Invitation*

Please take a look at Module 4 and the webcam course. We’ll be providing further updates on the Clerk’s Professional Journal in the light of experience. In the meantime, if you’d like to discuss the setting up of a Clerk’s Professional Journal do get in touch, ron.hill@stir.ac.uk

Addendum

Clerks perform a vital filtering and focusing role in support of governors’ development. Please encourage governors to view this this short video (5 min, 44 sec) perhaps prior to your next governing body meeting or highlight the video via your governor newsletter or governor briefing. Our aim is to enable governor access to our specially designed training modules and related support.

'Supporting Governing' Project:

Sept 2016 - Feb 2017

Do you want to explore ideas, in an accessible and stimulating format, with which you can strengthen the processes of governing in your college?

Join our 'Re-energising Governing for Colleges' webcam course facilitated by Dr Ron Hill. The outcomes of the webcam course depend on your role. As a Governor you will be able to contribute to:-

Setting values and vision (educational character)
Strategic planning, implementation and evaluation
Reviewing and improving reporting for governing
Improving governing decision making
Reviewing accountability and stakeholder relations
Shaping governor induction
Reviewing senior staff performance management

As a Clerk or a Senior Leader you will gain insight into core governing processes which you can influence.

Once you have secured one of the 20 national spaces available you can also take advantage of the accompanying coaching sessions. Use the protected coaching ‘space’ and bespoke support to explore issues from the dual perspectives of your organisation's strategic development needs and your role within that.

We are running two webcam courses; each comprises four twilight sessions of 75 minutes. You will join a group of peers and Dr Ron Hill for debate, structured blended learning activities and current thinking and practices on effective governance.

The course fee for the webcam course is £100 and includes three confidential coaching sessions which you can arrange to fit your other commitments. All our coaches have extensive clerking and governing experience and expertise. You can read about them here.

The Education and Training Foundation have commissioned and funded touchconsulting and CETTa Academy as part of their Excellence in Leadership, Management and Governance programme, to design and deliver new learning and development opportunities for Governors, Trustees, Non-Executive Directors, Clerks, Senior leaders and those involved in governing. This includes a:

FREE: 'Governing Colleges' newsletter
£100: Twilight blended webcam course comprising 4 modules; facilitated by Dr Ron Hill + 3 coaching/mentoring sessions - starts Nov & Dec 2016. Reserve you place now.
FREE: Four online self-study modules – from early Nov 2016. Reserve you place now on M1, M2, M3 or M4
£30: Package of three 45 minute online coaching/mentoring sessions - from Oct 2016. Book now

Diary: Forthcoming Events

Mon 28 Nov 2016, 6.30 - 7.45pm: 'Re-energising Governing for Colleges' Webcam course 1 starts
Tue 13 Dec 2016, 7.00 - 8.15pm: 'Re-energising Governing for Colleges' Webcam course 2 starts

Coaching and mentoring sessions now available. Self-study modules available early November. Check the next newsletter for details.

Date of Next Newsletter

w/c Monday 31st October

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