External governance reviews: what are they and when to do them

The effective governance of your school is vital to ensuring compliance with legal requirements and to fostering a school environment which thrives and in which children can excel.

External governance reviews are used to obtain a 360o view of the school’s governance and the overall effectiveness of the board, and can identify areas for capability and capacity building, and improving board effectiveness.

What will the external governance review identify?

During an external governance review the governance structure, operations and performance across the governing body will be reviewed. This will be achieved in collaboration with the governance board, the executive leadership team at the school, and the governance professional.

The external governance review should:

• consider the process and impact of decision-making

• consider the governance support provided to the governing body

• test compliance with mandatory requirements

This could involve meeting with individuals such as the Chair and Vice Chair of the governing body to get firsthand knowledge of challenges, and reviewing meeting minutes and papers to understand how effectively meetings are conducted.

In multi-academy trusts this will involve reviewing governance across the whole trust and should look at how the board:

• ensures there is effective governance across the trust

• works with the central team and any committees

• ensures legal compliance whilst avoiding duplication or omission of duties

• promotes a strategic vision that is shared and understood across the trust

On conclusion of the review the governing body will be provided with:

• an opportunity to review strategic direction. the effectiveness of processes and systems

• clear recommendations for future improvement

An action plan will be formed to set out not only what needs to be delivered to improve governance, but how it will be delivered. It will also be a good opportunity to highlight any training needs or diversity gaps in the governing body.

Ultimately, the aim is to enable the governing body to reassure stakeholders that it takes its responsibilities seriously and is endeavouring to carry them out effectively. Members of academy trusts require this assurance to carry out their role, so it is of particular importance.

When to carry out at external governance review

Both the Charity Governance Code and the Academy Trust Governance Code recommend that academy trusts, are subject to external review every 3 years.  Whilst this is a recommendation rather than a prescription, it is good practice to conduct external governance reviews at regular intervals. There is no specific requirement in respect of external governance reviews for maintained schools, although conducting regular reviews will help to improve governance.

Who conducts an external governance review?

So, who can conduct as external governance review? The review Is carried out by an experienced governance expert with separation and independence from not only the governing body but also the executive leaders at the school.

This can be your school’s legal advisors, many of whom also have experience as governors and trustees. Do get in touch if you would like to receive more information about our external governance review package.