How Good is School Governance in England in 2024?
In the midst of rapid change in the world of education, governance is the foundation of accountability and the catalyst for success. The National Governance Association (NGA) has defined and promoted good governance through its latest report[1], which assessed the state of school governance in 2024.
The NGA’s more than 400 external reviews confirm what we know about what good governance is and what it is not. The study shows that most governing boards are now committed to their own continuous improvement and regular self-evaluations have become commonplace. A firm grasp of financial oversight and fiscal responsibilities is also among the positive findings reported.
However, as challenges and expectations increase, some boards are struggling to maintain a strategic focus and are getting bogged down in operational issues. The problems affect almost half of the boards surveyed. Holding leaders to account also emerges as a key challenge for many boards. The report found that 68% of boards identified this as problematic. Many organizations also struggle to strike the right balance in their relationships and interactions with the board.
Almost a quarter of boards identified stakeholder engagement as an area for improvement. The report highlights that investing in strategic planning, clarifying roles and structures, utilizing professional support, and fostering a culture of accountability are keys to good governance.
These challenges include the operational distraction of maintained schools, the complexity of communication within trusts, and the scalability barriers faced by independent academies.
[1] https://www.nga.org.uk/news-views/directory/nga-unveils-pioneering-report-on-the-state-of-governance-in-englands-schools-and-trusts/