The training link governor is not a statutory role and there are no specific responsibilities that you are expected to carry out. However, it can be a very significant role in developing the effectiveness of the governing body. The
role of the training link governor leaflet is a useful tool to give an overview of the role.
Every training link governor and governing body will have different ideas about how to develop the role. You may find it helpful to discuss a
job description so everyone is clear about the responsibilities you are taking on and can support you.
Support available
Twice a term, we send all training link governors an e-newsletter, packed with training updates and useful information. Please make sure you circulate this information to your governors!
You may like to attend a two-hour training link governor workshop, This explores the role of the training link governor, and provides the opportunity to reflect on good practice, network with other training link governors and ask questions.
| Great Baddow Centre CM2 9SW |
Thursday 3 May 2012 |
7-9pm |
| Harlow Centre CM18 6TE |
Thursday 18 October 2012 |
7-9pm |
| Colchester Centre CO4 3TQ |
Thursday 21 March 2013 |
7-9pm |
Things you might want to do as training link governor
The following are examples of how effective training link governors can develop their role to have the most impact.
In most schools, the training link governor plays a vital role in linking the governing body to appropriate training and support. This includes:
- helping governors, especially those who are new, to identify their learning and development needs
- making governors aware of available training courses and encouraging them to attend
- making governors aware that some governor training is available online, so governors can access a range of modules at their own convenience
- alerting governors to this term's latest Hot Topic, which addresses governor issues of local or national importance. You can host a Hot Topic session in your school
- making governors aware of the termly communication meetings
- making governors aware of other development resources such as the governor resource collection
- monitoring the courses attended and maintaining a record of attendance. Governor Services also send training link governors an annual report of training undertaken by your governors
- encouraging governors to share what they have learned with the rest of the governing body
- making sure governor development is discussed regularly at governor body meetings
- coordinating a governing body development session for your governing body. This is free to subscribing schools, please see the governor and clerk training brochure.
Team building
Most schools use training link governors to help welcome new governors and get them quickly up to speed. Here are some good practice examples of how schools have developed this role:
- matching new governors with an experienced governor as a ‘buddy’ to help them settle in quickly;
- producing a short governors’ handbook to give new governors essential information about the school and how the governing body works;
- maintaining and updating a resource collection for the governing body;
- carrying out a skills audit of the governing body;
- ensuring that the school development plan includes a strand on governor development;
- assisting with recruitment to the governing body.