Ask A Clerk

I've launched a NEW clerk to governors training course for maintained school clerks. It covers voting and quorums, procedures at meetings, electing the chair, conflicts of interest, chair's action and much more. More details here: askaclerk.co.uk/clerk-to-gov…

A governing body near me has received this panic-inducing judgement in its OFSTED report: "The governing body does not understand or fulfil its statutory responsibilities."

Training for academy clerks now available, covering the Academy Trust Handbook and talking you through the rules in articles of association: askaclerk.co.uk/clerk-to-gov…

For anyone interested in governance at the Post Office here is an astonishing "Board Effectiveness Review" from 2013. The board rates itself as "stimulating, vibrant and pro-active", among many other glowing compliments. Link (pdf): whatdotheyknow.com/request/b…

Should school governors talk about parking problems? For example, if parents are blocking driveways or parking on pavements?

Crikey, one of the searches on my website yesterday was "Can the headteacher be chair of governors?" 😲

NEW: The Minutes, Agendas & Admin course for clerks in maintained schools is available now from Ask A Clerk: askaclerk.co.uk/clerk-to-gov… This is my third training course and all three courses together form a full maintained school clerk's induction course.

Has anyone seen an OFSTED report recently that made any substantial comments on governance? In my area I can barely find a report that even mentions governors.

The DfE have made minor updates to their Governance Guides so I have produced updated PDF versions, available free at Ask A Clerk: askaclerk.co.uk/dfe-governan…

I've seen several (maintained) schools lately where the Deputy Headteacher is the staff governor. What's your view on this? Can the Deputy Head hold the Headteacher to account effectively?

In a new post on Ask A Clerk I've had a look at the thorny question of whether governors can take decisions by email: askaclerk.co.uk/making-decis…

If anyone's switching to Octopus Energy use this referral link to get a FREE £50 when you switch any time in 2024: share.octopus.energy/lush-ee… Or quote "lush eel 689" by phone or online when you switch to get your free £50. 🐙 #octopusenergy #referral #switch

NEW Ask A Clerk article on governor visits to school, including a template visit report and visits protocol: askaclerk.co.uk/governor-vis…

Switching energy supplier? Please use my Octopus Energy referral link for September 2024 to get a FREE £50: share.octopus.energy/lush-ee… Or just quote "lush eel 689" on the phone or online when you switch to Octopus to get your free £50. #octopusenergy #referral #switch

I'm writing some training on minutes - does anyone have any pet peeves you'd like to share about poor minuting practices? Mine include a long list of names at the top but no titles, so you can't tell who's a governor, clerk, staff member or random interloper...

New today on Ask A Clerk: How to change articles of association in academies: askaclerk.co.uk/how-to-chang…