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Welcome Back: A Term of Opportunity, Inclusion and Impact

Why this term’s board meetings matter more than ever and how to make sure every pupil counts

Blog
05/09/2025

A new school year always feels full of possibilities to me. New faces in the corridors, a sense of anticipation and energy in the air, and for governing boards, a term where your role truly shines. Welcome back to all our governors, trustees and governance professionals. Your time, insight and challenge make an enormous difference. This term, more than ever, your work has real impact.

Reflect, Review and Recognise What’s Working

This is the term of big-picture reflection and external validation. Exam results and performance data are now landing, giving boards the chance to see how existing strategic priorities impacted and what new priorities are emerging. This year is more challenging than most for those governing in the secondary sector, with the Year 6 baseline SATs cancelled due to COVID, boards will need to rely on other methods to judge progress. Of course, it’s about more than the headline numbers; It is about assurance, accountability and the confidence that every child in your school or trust is getting the high-quality experience and the opportunities they deserve.

Look Beyond the Headlines

The most effective boards dig deeper, making time to focus on specific pupil groups. We know you’ll all be looking closely at the attainment and progress of pupils experiencing disadvantage, those with SEND and those with wider protected characteristics. You can also utilise our disadvantage toolkits to support and sharpen your board’s discussions.

This is not just good governance. It is equity in action. Ask the questions that matter: Are interventions making an impact? Where are the gaps? Are new cohorts, particularly in Early Years, getting the support they need from day one? For primary and nursery boards, this includes reflecting on the proportion of children achieving a ‘Good Level of Development’ (GLD) and making sure foundations are strong and shoring them up where needed.

Building a Culture of Curiosity

Great governance does not happen by chance. It thrives when boards bring a spirit of curiosity to the table. Do not be afraid to ask the “why” behind the data. If something looks different from last year, explore the story behind it. If a strategy is working particularly well for one group, what lessons can be applied more widely? Effective challenge is not about confrontation. It is about understanding, supporting and driving improvement together. When boards and leaders take this approach, it transforms conversations into real opportunities for change.

New Reporting Templates to Strengthen Scrutiny

We have listened to your feedback and enhanced our reporting templates to make it easier to keep pupil groups front and centre in your discussions. Expect more prompts covering reception baseline assessments for primary and nursery phases, clearer breakdowns and some extra details. If you are not already using these updated tools, now is the perfect time to review your arrangements and ensure your board has the information needed for meaningful scrutiny.

You can explore more in our pupil data and performance measures guidance.

Change Is Coming, Stay Ahead

On top of the regular business of governance, this term brings a wave of change. The new Ofsted framework is on the horizon, as well as the results of the upcoming Schools and Colleges Survey and the long-awaited government’s school’s white paper, all of which could reshape the landscape for schools and trusts.

Keeping up to date is essential. Make sure you are signed up for Ƶapp updates and check the Knowledge Centre for the latest analysis and advice. If you need a starting point for aligning your board’s priorities, Being Strategic remains one of our most popular and practical tools.

A Term for Scrutiny and Support

As you head into your first meetings of the term, remember this is your moment to add real value. Challenge where it counts, support where it matters, and above all, champion the needs of every pupil, whatever the ‘overall’ picture. Look for the stories behind the data and keep inclusion at the heart of your decisions.

Thank you for the time, commitment and expertise you bring to governance. Here is to a productive, purposeful and positive term ahead.

Emma Balchin

Emma Balchin

Chief Executive

Emma has over 25 years of experience in education, leadership and school improvement and in leading professional development services. Emma has also governed and chaired across maintained schools, academy trusts and local academy committees.

View Emma's full profile

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