Imagine a city the size of Wolverhampton, Wakefield or St Albans populated entirely by individuals dedicated to ensuring the best possible education for our children.
This is the scale of the 250,000 school governors and trustees across the nation. They are an army of volunteers who are crucial to the fabric of our education system, ensuring that policies are effectively implemented, funding is well spent and the impact is closely monitored.
With a new government to be installed this summer, it’s time for politicians to recognise school governors’ and trustees’ invaluable work and address the issues that need fixing.
The National Governance Association (NGA) amplified governor voices last autumn in our manifesto for schools and trusts, From Classrooms to Communities.
Now that a general election is looming, we are urging the next government to restore the education system to its rightful place of value and importance in our society. And governance plays a central part.
The school governor recruitment crisis
Despite their significant contributions, governors and trustees face mounting challenges exacerbated by a recruitment crisis.This year’s annual governance survey shows that three-quarters of boards are finding the recruitment of volunteers difficult and the number of vacancies is at an all-time high of 30,000.
At the NGA we are urging a new government to launch a national governance recruitment campaign that celebrates the difference that good governance makes both in terms of social value and the incredible leadership development opportunity it provides to individuals.
The NGA wants to see a wide-reaching TV advertisement strategy, the use of social media platforms to appeal to a younger and more diverse demographic and targeted outreach through community, corporate and educational partnerships.
The NGA has already been working to encourage educators to govern through our Educators on Board campaign.
Government must engage with governors
Governors and trustees serve as a vital bridge between school communities and government. Their insight into community needs; engagement with pupils, staff and parents; and support and direction for school leaders make them invaluable in contributing to and shaping education policies.
The next government must actively engage with the governance community and establish clear lines of communication.
This engagement is crucial because governors have key insight into what’s happening on the ground. Every year our Annual Governance Survey reveals the dedication and passion of governors and trustees, but we also hear their frustration with ever-mounting pressures on schools.
In this year’s survey one respondent commented: “There is simply not enough money to run a school...schools are picking up the pieces and trying to be health workers, social workers, counsellors, food banks, clothing banks and the last remaining aspect of civic infrastructure left in their community.”
The need for more school funding
This kind of experience explains why governors and trustees are calling for an increase in capital and revenue funding for schools. In order for children to receive the education they deserve, schools must have adequate resources to employ the right people with the right skills, to improve school buildings and to sustain high-quality learning in a safe and nurturing environment for both pupils and staff.
Another growing concern is the impact of falling pupil numbers on funding levels. The NGA urges the incoming government to maintain at least current funding levels despite falling pupil numbers and demographic changes, to prevent further strain on already-stretched resources.
A further £1,000 per pupil is needed to simply bring the funding for our schools in line with the average for G7 countries. This is more critical than ever given that there are 900,000 children living in poverty who are not entitled to free school meals. That’s on top of the more than 2 million children who are.
Unsung heroes
The role of school governors and trustees is unique. As the first layer of accountability within the education system, they ensure that school and trust leaders are appropriately challenged and supported to achieve the best outcomes they can for children in their care.
As we look ahead, it is imperative that any future government recognises and supports these unsung heroes.
Emma Balchin is co-chief executive of the National Governance Association
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