Category Archives: Case Study Commentary

Commentary This case study highlights lots of issues to consider when employing staff for a new school.  It is not known what category of school the new school will be, but regardless of this, a temporary governing body would have been set up to make various decisions. Here’s the link to the regulations that governContinue reading “How to agree pay for staff migrating to a new school”

Commentary Facing a school closure is of course a very difficult and emotive time. It is apparent in this case that the governing body sought information and advice from several sources before making a difficult decision on the best way forward. Thinking about the wider picture and considering what is viable and what is bestContinue reading “Accepting the closure of a school”

Commentary This case study highlights some important issues that governors need to be aware of when undertaking their governor role. The governing body has three key roles in essence, strategic leadership, accountability, and being a critical friend. Day to day operational issues are down to the headteacher and staff at the school. Part I ofContinue reading “Discerning the right boundaries for relationships between school governors and other members of the school community”

Commentary When any school organisation proposal is in the pipeline, there is a set process to follow. The Code on School Organisation provides detailed guidance to which relevant bodies must have due regard. https://gov.wales/school-organisation-code School organisation proposals can be complex in their own right and can also be quite an emotive area. An amalgamation ofContinue reading “Managing the turmoil of school merger”

Commentary It is sometimes difficult to recruit a senior leader post, particularly that of headteacher. The number of applications for these posts can in some cases be significantly low. The school’s Challenge Adviser or relevant Local Authority officers will play a key part in assisting governors with the recruitment process. There are timescales for theContinue reading “Challenges of recruiting senior members of staff”

Commentary When faced with a reduced budget, the governing body must look at areas in which they can save finances, hopefully without having to start the statutory redundancy process.   This is going to be a difficult time for everyone involved so has to be handled sensitively.  The headteacher will need to keep staff up toContinue reading “Managing difficult decisions about staff redundancies”

Commentary The governing body relies on the headteacher and senior staff to provide the information they need to fulfil their critical friend role, that said, the school performance data should also help to indicate the strengths and weaknesses at the school.  It is important to check that all the relevant members of the governing bodyContinue reading “Addressing the fallout from a poor school evaluation”

Commentary There are set procedures to follow when an allegation against a member of staff is received. This will depend on the nature of the issue, for example, was this a conduct, or safeguarding issue in this situation?  It is sometimes difficult to investigate an anonymous allegation so approaching the staff was a good idea. Continue reading “Anonymous allegations against members of staff”

Commentary All schools must have a policy that deals with capability of staff at the school (often this will be provided by the Local Authority) agreed and adopted by the governing body. It is noted that the governor felt the process took time but staff undergoing a capability process must be offered the opportunity toContinue reading “Seeking advice dealing with a competency issues relating to the headteacher”

Commentary All local authorities have a School Forum which was introduced to develop dialogue between local authorities and their schools on “budgetary issues, including school funding levels for the coming year, pressures on future years’ budgets, changes to local funding formulae, as well as reviewing contracts/service level agreements for services to schools.” Here is the linkContinue reading “Consequences of reduced budgets”