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This article was updated in response to a question from the headteacher of a medium-size rural primary school in the south east.
Checklist for new governors
See weblink(s) view this article online
KeyDoc: checklist for new governors
We worked with one of our associate education experts, Fred Birkett, to create a KeyDoc that provides a checklist for new governors.
This document is for new governors to use with their chair of governors and/or governor mentor (if relevant). It is not intended to
replace induction training, but to provide a basis for induction.
The checklist is divided into the following sections:
•
•
•
•
•
Meeting the governing body
Training and paperwork
Information the new governor should receive
Actions for the new governor
Other actions
You will find this KeyDoc on pages 3 and 4.
Conducting governor inductions
Fred Birkett also provided some tips on carrying out new governor inductions.
He suggested that the chair leads governor inductions, but that he or she should keep the headteacher and clerk updated on progress.
Meeting the chair and headteacher
Fred suggested that a new governor meets the chair first, rather than the headteacher. He said this is important to allow the new
governor to appreciate that the chair – not the headteacher – is responsible for providing the leadership and direction of the
governing body.
He also said that this meeting should happen first because induction of new governors is the chair’s responsibility. Fred added that
new governors should be aware that any problems they may have should be taken to the chair, rather than to the headteacher.
During this meeting the chair should:
•
•
•
•
Present the vision for improvement and strategy for the future
Discuss the way that the governing body and its committees function
Outline his or her expectations of governors
Introduce the governor to some of the documents suggested in the KeyDoc
Fred also recommended that the chair accompanies the new governor on a tour of the school before leaving him or her with the
headteacher for their meeting.
The meeting with the headteacher allows the new governor to “understand the staff’s perspective of the school, its performance,
issues and future intentions”.
Choosing a committee
Fred recommended inviting a new governor to observe the committee/s that he or she is interested in joining, as this provides a
useful introduction. The governor should be given time to consider the committees before making a decision.
Introduction to data
Fred recommended that the chair or headteacher provides some initial guidance on looking at data, but that it would be most helpful for the new governor to be trained with other governors as part of an ongoing process.
He noted that data should be handled carefully and that Ofsted’s School Data Dashboard, for example, “does not always capture
the intricacies of the situation within the school and can give an inaccurate impression” to new governors.
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Induction of new academy governors
Fred recommended that the chair or clerk guides a new academy governor through the memorandum and articles of association,
highlighting key areas.
He also suggested that information on the composition of the governing body include the role of directors and trustees.
Sources and further reading
Fred Birkett is an experienced teacher and education consultant. He has been a governor for 20 years in primary and secondary
schools and a chair of governors for half that time. He is a National Leader of Governance.
See weblink(s) Induction checklist for new governors, Essex County Council (Adobe pdf file)
New governors: induction and beyond, Torbay Council (Word doc file)
Induction for governors, East Riding of Yorkshire Council
Sample article from www.thekeysupport.com/gov
Checklist for new governors
We worked with one of our associate education experts, Fred Birkett, to create this KeyDoc.
Fred Birkett is an experienced teacher and education consultant. He has been a governor for 20
years in primary and secondary schools and a chair of governors for half that time. He is a National
Leader of Governance.
This KeyDoc is for new governors to use with their chair of governors and/or governor mentor if
relevant. It is not intended to replace induction training, but to provide a basis for induction.
The checklist is not exhaustive; you may wish to add extra items in the blank boxes provided below.
The notes section can be used for noting any questions, recording dates of meetings or noting how
useful the activity was.
Meeting the governing body
Action
Completed
Notes
Completed
Notes
Meet the chair of governors
Complete a tour of the school
Meet the headteacher
Attend first full governing body meeting
Observe committee meetings in order to
decide which committee/s to sit on
Training and paperwork
Action
Book induction training
Complete skills audit to identify future
training
Complete paperwork e.g. governor
declaration form, DBS/List 99 check if
required, declaration of business interests
form.
(This may be carried out by the clerk)
Items the new governor should receive
Item
Completed
Notes
Information on the composition of the
governing body
For academy governors only:
memorandum and articles of association
(NB. The chair or clerk should guide the
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new governor through this)
Terms of reference for the governing
body
Terms of reference for each committee
List of future meeting dates
Governors’ code of conduct
Governor visits policy
Teaching & learning policy
Information on:
 Number of pupils at the school
 Number of boys and girls
 Percentage of children eligible for
free school meals (FSM)
 Number of children with English
as an additional language (EAL)
 Breakdown of pupil ethnicity
 Number of children on the special
educational needs (SEN) register
 Number of children with SEN
statements
 Number of looked after children
Summary of the school improvement plan
(or equivalent)
Minutes from the last meeting
A list of current governors and their
contact details
The clerk’s contact details
List of school staff and their
responsibilities
Actions for the new governor
Action
Completed
Notes
Completed
Notes
Speak to line manager regarding time off
for governor duties
Read the Department for Education’s
Governors’ Handbook
Read the school’s latest Ofsted report
and Ofsted action plan (if appropriate)
Look at the school website
Research recent news items on school
governance/education: see the ‘In the
news’ articles on The Key’s website for
school governors
Other actions
Action
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