6. Evaluation
How regular evaluation can be carried out on the effectiveness of governance and the school's performance.
An effective governing body will review its own performance regularly.
The governing body can evaluate the effectiveness of their governance through a combination of self-assessment tools, independent perspectives, and skills audits.
Evaluation considers:
- the governing body’s effectiveness and the quality of its decision making
- its impact on efficiency and reducing unnecessary workload for governors and staff
- the skills needed for governance
- readiness for growth, if appropriate
- individual performance of governors, for example their contribution to governing body meeting discussions
Governing bodies may want to consider commissioning an external review of governance to get an independent assessment of its governance effectiveness and the areas for development.
Tools to help with evaluating governance can be found in:
- the National Governance Association’s governing board self-evaluation questions (‘20 questions’) and governing board skills audit
- the Education Endowment Fund’s guide for governing boards
You can also contact your local authority or governor service provider.
External reviews of governance (ERG) provide independent assessment of the governing body’s effectiveness and areas for development. An ERG is not an audit or inspection, they can:
- be a more powerful diagnostic tool than self-evaluation
- bring an independent perspective
- identify areas for capacity and capability building for governors and governance support
- identify areas for further learning and development
- provide support to a governing body at key growth or transition points
- be arranged by the governing body at any time
- be recommended by DfE or other authority
We recommend that ERGs are conducted routinely as part of a wider programme of self-assessment and improvement. It is particularly important that they are conducted before a governing body undertakes any significant change, such as converting to an academy.
6.2.1 Recommended external reviews of governance
In cases where DfE or another authority recommends an ERG, it is important the governing body:
- understands the reasons for the review and the improvement needs that have been identified
- ensures they are clear on this before a review is commissioned
- arranges the review promptly
- ensures the external review is independent and objective
- avoid conflicts of interest (or potential perceived conflicts of interest) between governing bodies or governing body members and potential reviewers
Any consideration of a conflict of interest should be recorded in writing along with any steps taken to manage it before the reviewer is engaged.
As set out in the schools causing concern guidance, local authorities should note the recommendations made to maintained schools as part of ERGs.
These reviews may include recommendations that may reveal a failure of governance that is prejudicing standards of school performance, and this in turn could warrant the local authority issuing a warning notice to improve.
Further guidance on ERGs for schools is available.
The Chartered Governance Institute has produced guidance for governing board performance reviews and a code of practice for governing board reviewers, which governing bodies may find useful.