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Governing board evaluation

How to conduct governing board self-evaluation

Advice, tools and support to help boards carry out effective self-evaluation.

Guidance
15/02/2023

Governing boards who conduct self-evaluation and regularly review their impact are more likely to:

  • deliver core functions in an effective, ethical and accountable way
  • assure compliance
  • continuously improve
  • achieve improved outcomes for pupils

Many boards carry out informal self-evaluation such asÌýsetting aside a few minutes at the end of each meeting to reflect onÌýdecisionsÌýtakenÌýand the impact onÌýpupils in the school or trust.

This page covers:

  • annual self-evaluation
  • how to conduct self-evaluation
  • °ÅÀÖÊÓƵÏÂÔØapp self-evaluation tools
  • external reviews of governance

Annual board self-evaluation

We recommend that governing boards review their performance on an annual basis. This is likely to consist of the board asking themselves reflective questions that cover:Ìý

  • board culture and practice
  • board structure
  • core functions
  • compliance
  • evaluation and impact

How to conductÌýself-evaluation

1.ÌýSchedule time within your annual cycleÌý-Ìýself-evaluation often takes placeÌýat the end of the academic yearÌýso that governors/trustees are reviewing the year as a whole. If you areÌýplanning anÌýexternal reviewÌýof governance, find out if this will include self-evaluation for the board.

2.ÌýConsider costÌý- self-evaluation doesn't need to come with a cost. However, if the governance CPD budget allows, we recommend that you explore options such as online self-evaluationÌýthat can be highly effective and may save the board and governance professional time.

3.ÌýSetÌýtime asideÌýto complete the evaluation and analyse responses: partÌýofÌýa meeting could be devoted toÌýthe discussion ofÌýa series of questions. Alternatively, the governance professional could circulate the questions, collect and collate responses, and bring the results to a meeting.

We recommend that the governance professionalÌýprovides organisational and administrative support throughout the process.

°ÅÀÖÊÓƵÏÂÔØapp self-evaluation tools

°ÅÀÖÊÓƵÏÂÔØapp has developed a collection ofÌýquestions for governing boards to ask themselves, which includes:

  • questions for multi academy trust boards andÌýacademy committees (local governing bodies)
  • questions for those governing inÌýmaintained schools and single academy trusts

Our online self-evaluationÌýuses the same questions, automatically collating responses into two reports and includes:

  • guidance on how to set up and run your self-evaluation
  • an optional mentor session with an °ÅÀÖÊÓƵÏÂÔØapp consultant
  • template documents to guide you through an analysis of your evaluationÌýreport and the creation of a governance actionÌýplan

Find out more and book an online self-evaluation

Based on the DfE’s Competency Framework, a 360° review provides a comprehensive snapshot of your strengths and development needs.

Find out more and book a 360 review

Board evaluation

External reviews of governance

External reviews of governance (ERGs) provide an independent and objective view of the board’s strengths and clear recommendations for improvement.

An ERG examines the governance structure and practice, working closely with the board, executive leaders and the governance professional to evaluateÌýthe board’s performance.

Find out more about external reviews
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Board evaluation

What does good governance look like?

Join °ÅÀÖÊÓƵÏÂÔØapp’s Chief Executive, Emma Knights, for an introduction to good governance. This webinar explores the three pillars of good governance: ethical governance, effective governance, and accountable governance. Emma explains how these pillars need to be built on an agreed set of values and a healthy culture.

Watch our good governance webinar
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