The government is now inviting applications for its National Leaders of Governance (NLGs) scheme. The initiative aims to bring together experienced college governors or clerks with a strong record of supporting college improvement to provide mentoring and peer-to-peer support to further education and sixth form colleges where governance needs to be improved.

According to the government, the work of NLGs links with that of the FE commissioner’s team and the National Leaders of FE (NLFE) programme to create a support package for college improvement.

Guidance published this morning says the role of NLGs will include diagnosing and reviewing governance improvement needs, assisting the board of governors to draw up an improvement plan, developing the capacity and expertise of the board of governors, as well as proving support and advice and identifying additional and ongoing sources of support.

Governance support

They will work with colleges which have either been recommended governance support following a diagnostic assessment or formal intervention assessment visit from the FE commissioner’s team, or which have received an Ofsted rating of “requires improvement” or “inadequate” - this could be for “overall effectiveness” or “leadership and management”.

NLGs will be expected to provide around 50 days of support over the course of an academic year, subject to demand. To be able to apply, prospective NLGs must be a serving chair of governors or a governor or clerk at a college rated “good” or “outstanding” for “overall effectiveness” and “leadership and management” in the most recent Ofsted inspection report. The college must not be subject to formal FE commissioner intervention. The closing date for applications is 13 July 2018.