Plymouth Governor Development Team

The team

The Governor Development Team is based at Windsor House and consists of the Governor Development Officer and two assistants. The team offers advice, support, information and training for all governors, head teachers, principals and clerks. There are approximately 1,600 governors in the Plymouth area and we value the contribution made by governors in our 105 city schools.

Information, guidance and training

Information, guidance and training is provided through a subscription service purchased at the beginning of the financial year. The Governor Development Team provides advice, support and development opportunities through:

• a website and a telephone advice helpline
• a magazine sent to all governors three times a year - The Governors’ Wavelength
• a newsletter for chairs and vice chairs three times a year and for clerks to governing bodies six times a year including the latest legislative changes and examples of good practice
• a centrally based training programme
• in school bespoke training
• an induction programme and handbook for all new governors
• Governors’ corner - a collection of useful books and publications available for all governors to borrow free of charge. These are on display in the Atrium of Windsor House and are accessible on weekdays until 9pm
• a pack of ten booklets outlining the roles of named governors. A set has been presented to each school and further copies are available to purchase from the Governor Development Team

Advice helpline 01752 307480 or 01752 307483

The helpline provides a confidential service for governors, head teachers and clerks dealing with all types of queries and concerns on aspects of school governance. It is available from 8am to 4.30pm Monday to Thursday and from 8am to 4pm on Friday during term time.

The Wavelength

The Wavelength is the magazine for governors and clerks published three times a year. It includes:

• articles on best practice
• the latest news from the world of education
• guidance for governors relating to changes in legislation
• details of training events, briefings and conferences
• articles from governors on matters of interest.

Training

The team organises an extensive yearly programme of training to meet the needs of governors.

• Training is available on a wide variety of subjects of interest to primary and secondary governors
• The team welcomes requests from schools for individual governing body training
• A Governor’s Professional Development handbook is available from the clerk. This handbook includes details of all the governor training courses for the academic year, a governor’s Code of Conduct and a professional development profile.

Support for new governors

On appointment, new governors will receive a welcome pack containing the 'A to Z of Governance' handbook and an invitation to the next 'new governors' induction training day' which is held three times a year. The induction training is also offered in a two session evening format. All new governors must complete either the induction day or the two evening sessions.

Additional support

The Governors Development Team also carries out a variety of duties covering the following areas:

• Local Education Authority governor appointments
• maintaining the governor database
• pre-appointment Enhanced Criminal Records Bureau checks on governors
• supporting governing bodies of schools in Ofsted categories
• recruitment of governors.

Documents

To view these documents you might need to download some software. Visit our downloads page for more information.

Compliments and complaints leaflet - leaflet explaining the compliments and complaints procedure. File format Adobe Acrobat (pdf) - 104.7KB

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