We had our first training session with Su this week on how to improve our effectiveness as a Governing Board. Su’s wealth of knowledge and experience in school governance became obvious from the start and Shaping Governance tool kit used by Su stimulated our involvement and was certainly thought provoking.
During the session Governors and Staff worked together through the elements of governance and this in itself proved beneficial in creating an understanding of working together as a team for the benefit of the school.
We were left with a lot of ideas on shaping our future as well as a clear understanding of our roles and responsibilities, especially in the need for a shared vision of the way forward for our school.
Thank you Su for a very informative, and in depth, training session; whilst being a serious subject, the atmosphere was most relaxed culminating in lively debate.
Working with Su and her Shaping Governance® Toolkit allowed the Governors and I to effectively review our purpose and self-evaluate our work as a Governing Body. As a result, we now know what we do well and need to develop to continue to be effective. Su skilfully facilitates the discussion and evaluation, adapting her support to the values and needs and Governors and school, rather than a one size fits all model.
We are looking forward to working with Su in developing Governance for the benefit of the children at Oldfield.
Su’s vast knowledge of governance, her patience and sensitivity and her understanding of our school were key drivers in improving our governance. In six months, we have managed to address some of the key issues which we have wrestled with for years. Our governors are more visible; they have an improved understanding of the day-to-day challenges staff are faced with and are able to carry out their statutory duties in a non-threatening, supportive manner.
Su has led two training sessions with our relatively new governing body. The first, Shaping Governance®, allowed governors to think about their strengths and areas for development. Based on the session governors felt clearer about the school’s ambitions and mission. Our second session built on the learning from the first and enabled governors to develop a strategy and how to measure success. The sessions were very worthwhile and we gained a lot from them as a school.James
Su Facilitated very clearly, participated skillfully in discussions to tease out what governors could do / could improve. Used visual representations to explicitly show the key priorities of the governing body.
5/5 – it was a very focused 2 hour session that culminated in a clear identification of the school’s weaknesses and areas to improve in a clear and concise way.
Dave Williams, Head teacher
Dee Point is currently rated Outstanding
The support that Insight to Impact gave to us combined one-to-one interviews followed by guided group discussions. The training material that Su brought to the group, in particular, the Diamond product, helped us to focus on the key challenges that we face and without doubt, will help to inform our future strategy for the Governing Body. The session was very hands-on and Su’s approach is efficient and effective. I look forward to bringing some of the very practical ideas into use.
Su has an outstanding reputation in governance, health, and education, playing a key strategic role in enabling effective partnerships and positive outcomes for public sector bodies throughout the UK. She is dynamic in her approach, working at the cutting edge of thinking at a regional and national level. Organisations in the public, private and charitable sectors would benefit from her insights and ability to bring people together to improve outcomes for their customers/clients.
Shaping Governance was the perfect way to engage our new Local Governing Body in detailed discussion regarding their knowledge and understanding of our school.
Starting with the importance of strategic vision the session laid down the foundations, and gave a clear direction on the role of the Local Governing Body. It enabled new Governors to understand the area of responsibility, whilst prompting experienced Governors to think about how confident they are in their role, and how they could improve.
Thank you for facilitating an in-depth discussion with tact and drive, keeping the questioning relevant, and enabling all involved to have clarity and a shared vision for the future.
12th Sept 2017:
Shaping Governance ® 