School governance update: December 2022
Updated 16 December 2022
Applies to England
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Increased funding for schools in autumn statement
The Chancellor set out in his autumn statement that schools will receive £2.3 billion of additional funding in both 2023 to 2024 and 2024 to 2025. This brings the core schools budget to a total of £58.8 billion in 2024 to 2025, £2 billion greater than published in 2021.
Funding was already £4 billion higher this year than last year. The announcement means it will rise by another £3.5 billion in total.
These increases mean that the per pupil funding levels committed to at Spending Review 2021 will be protected in real terms. They underline the importance government attaches to schools. You can find further information on this.
National leaders of governance programme
An evaluation of the reformed national leaders of governance programme has been published. This reviewed the first year of implementation by the National Governance Association (NGA).
The report found that delivery has been successful in terms of recruitment, deployment and capacity provided by national leaders of governance (NLGs) and the quality of support they provided. School leaders, governors and trustees were positive about the quality, rigour and challenge NLGs provided. A senior leader said: “The NLG was excellently matched, and expertly delivered.”
If your board needs support with governance, find out if you are eligible for the DfE funded NLG programme.
Supporting schools to be energy efficient
In December, the Department for Education (DfE) announced £500m of additional capital funding to help state schools improve their energy efficiency.
Get help buying for schools is designed to support schools to buy energy efficiently, from energy audits, to liquid fuels and mains gas and electricity. The service is free and designed to help your school or trust secure great value.
Get in touch: get help buying for schools.
Access to technical education and apprenticeship providers
The department strengthened provider access legislation through the Skills and Post-16 Education Act 2022. This specifies that schools must provide at least six encounters with providers of technical education and apprenticeships for all pupils, during school years 8 to 13. This will give all pupils a full picture of the education and training options available when they leave school.
The updated legislation comes into force on 1 January 2023 and trust boards and maintained school governing bodies must ensure the new requirements are followed. DfE’s revised careers statutory guidance will be published at the beginning of the new term.
Baroness Barran message for governance professional pathway
Baroness Barran has recorded a video message for NGA’s Governance Professionals Network, marking the launch of their career pathway for governance professionals. In the video, the minister recognised the importance of good governance and the critical role of governance professionals in supporting the board to achieve its aims.
The minister thanked the NGA for publishing the career pathway. She recognised that it will help develop understanding of the qualities that make a good governance professional and the various career pathways and qualifications that are open to them.