Background
Whilst not compulsory, all governors, however experienced, need training to improve their effectiveness in the role and to keep abreast of developments that may affect their school and their role as governor.

Responsibilities
The Governing Body has overall responsibility for the training of its members.  The National Strategy for Governor Support has been prepared to help governor trainers in LEA's, Diocesan Boards, Chairs of Governors and Headteachers to ensure that new governors have the information they need to become effective school governors.  The aim is to ensure that governors, irrespective of where they live, should have access to consistent information about their role, their responsibilities and the expectations of them, as well as the way in which they should be working with their head teacher.

Opportunities for Training and Support

New Governors:
The National Strategy for Governor Support calls for new governors to be assigned an experienced governor as a "Mentor" to help introduce them to their role and to identify where their training needs lie.  The Mentor should also ensure that new governors receive the appropriate induction training available from their LEA.

The National Governors Council produces a "Trigger Pack" that provides a comprehensive introduction to school governance for new governors.  Follow the link in Background below.

Existing Governors:
Governing bodies often choose to nominate a "Link Governor" who has overall responsibility for ensuring that individual governors' training needs are identified and addressed.  The Link Governor will liaise with the LEA and be aware of the portfolio of training which governors can access locally to help them carry out their duties effectively.

Edexcell, in conjunction with Essex County Council, offer the BTEC Advanced Certificate in School Governance at a number of sites around the country.  Visit the TES website (via Web Links below) for more information on availability in your area.

Funding for Training
The DfES provides funds for governor support and training under the Standards Fund Programme - School Improvement category.  Training provided by the LEA must be free of charge to the individual governor (although it may incur a cost to the governing body).

Time off from Work
Under employment law, employers must give employees who are school governors "reasonable time off" to carry out their duties.  The employee and employer have to agree on what is reasonable time off.  Employers may give time off with pay but DO NOT have to do so.

Guidance
The following sources of guidance are available:

GovernorNet Articles (follow links in Background below):

• BTEC Advanced Certificate in School Governance
  - provides access to TES/Edexcel information
• Chapter 5 of the Guide to the Law for School Governors
  - provides additional information on Support and Training for Governors
• Governor Support and Resources - Overview
  - provides access to other sources of support including national governor representative organisations and the national telephone help-line - GovernorLine
• Guidance on the National Strategy for Governor Support for Chairs and Headteachers
  - downloadable guidance from DfES
• National Training Programme for Clerks
  - detailed information on training for Clerks
• NGC Trigger Pack - detailed information pack for new governors
• Good Practice in School Based Training for Governing Bodies - NGC Good Practice Guide No 1, 2004
• Good Practice in Monitoring and Evaluating School Performance - NGC Good Practice Guide No 2, 2004
• Specific Roles within the Governing Body - Link, SEN, Literacy, Numeracy etc.
  - information on a variety of roles for governors