School governance is a team game!

I could easily fill this blog with endless ‘team’ related quotes but feel the above embodies nicely how trust and governing boards can strive to succeed. There are very few cases where individual governors enable a school to maximise the potential of all its pupils on their own but rather more common is where the collective effort of a group of governors or trustees come together and raise the bar for their school.

Governance is a team game and like football requires teamwork, a strategy and shared goals (excuse the pun). Just as football needs a manager, captain, vice-captain, players, coaches and support staff to work effectively so a governing board similarly needs a headteacher, Chair, Vice chair, governors and a governance professional clerk.

Teamwork and collaboration

In football, each player has a specific role, whether it's the goalkeeper, defenders, midfielders, or forwards. Similarly, in school governance, each member of the governing body has a distinct role. The chair of governors is akin to the team captain, leading and inspiring the team, other governors, like defenders and midfielders assume various link and committee roles playing on their strengths and individual skill set, and (this may be a stretch!) the centre forwards are those experienced governors you can send out to ‘play’ upfront as vice and committee chairs. The headteacher, much like the manager, is responsible for the day-to-day management of the wider team plus as a member of the governance team working to support the whole school community. 

Just as a football team must work together to win, school governors must collaborate to ensure their school's success. Effective communication is crucial. In football, players must train hard together, communicate on the field to execute a game plan and adapt to the opponent's tactics. In governance, governors must communicate openly and regularly, train on their own and together, understand the challenges in the education landscape and develop strategies and have a plan to achieve their school development and strategic goals (there it is again!).

Strategy and planning

A successful football team has a well-thought-out game plan. They watch their opponents, identify strengths and weaknesses, and develop strategies to win. Similarly, as governors we must be horizon scanning for threats and opportunities, benchmarking ourselves against schools of a similar size, consider national benchmarking data to help maximise the opportunities and assess the challenges. All of this can be captured in a strategic plan and vision for our schools. This involves setting ambitious targets and objectives, with clear KPIs, monitoring progress towards these, and adjusting the course of progress when needed. The strategic plan should address key areas such as the school estate, IT provision, SEND provision, student outcomes and wellbeing and how these will be underpinned through effective use of school finances and budgeting.

Recruitment and retention

In football, recruiting and retaining talented players is essential for success. Similarly, school governors must focus on recruiting and retaining high quality staff. This includes not only teachers but also support staff, senior leaders as well as the best governors! High turnover rates can disrupt the school's stability, leadership and impact student outcomes. Governors and school leaders must create a positive work culture where all staff are valued, supported and invested in through long-term professional development and a supportive working culture. This will not only help retain staff members but also attract the best staff to join from other schools with a less positive work environment.

Monitoring and evaluation

Football teams constantly evaluate their performance, reviewing match footage and statistics to improve their performance. School governors must also monitor and evaluate their school's performance. This involves reviewing data on student attainment, achievement, attendance, behaviour and looking at how different groups of pupils perform. Governors should visit the school regularly, gather evidence on areas specific to their link role or area of expertise, and meet with staff and pupils to monitor the school’s progress towards its short-term School Development Plan objectives and medium/ long-term strategic aims and vision.

Stakeholder engagement

A football team thrives on the support of its fans and how it supports and interacts with the local community. Similarly, a school benefits from strong stakeholder and community engagement. Governors should foster communication with parents, local businesses and community organisations. This can help to build positive relationships and engagement with, and from, the community which can only help to cement your schools place at the heart of its community, this in turn may secure much needed additional resources and support for the school. Engagement with, and understanding of, the community a school serves should also feed into the development of your curriculum and ethos that reflects the needs, values, history, diversity and context of the local area.

School governance IS a team game. Like a football team, school governors must work together, communicate effectively, and develop strategic plans to overcome challenges and maximise opportunities. By drawing on the strengths of each team member and engaging with stakeholders, governors can ensure that their school provides the best possible education and maximise the opportunities for all its pupils – or put more simply, win the game!