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Pupil health & wellbeing
7 articles
DBS checks
- Applying for DBS checks Learn about the application process for Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks, including how chairs in academy trusts can get enhanced DBS checks countersigned by the secretary of state.
- DBS and other required checks for trustees, members and local governors Be clear on what checks need to be carried out on members, trustees and local governors when they join your academy trust.
- DBS checks: do I need a new one? DBS checks do not expire – it's for the school employer to decide if you need a new check. Find out when you might be asked for a new one, and how the DBS update service can help you keep your certificate up to date.
- DBS checks for governors and trustees Save time by reading our summary of the rules on DBS checks for governors in just one page. Download a copy to share with your colleagues.
- DBS checks: requirements for governors (maintained) UpdatedFind out what checks are required for governors in maintained schools, so you can make sure your school is compliant.
- DBS checks: school staff Download our summary table to learn which staff members need to have a criminal records check, and what checks staff need when they've lived overseas.
- Section 128 checks Make sure you know who should have a section 128 check under the latest safeguarding guidance and how to carry one out. Understand what the check looks for and why it's important.
6 articles
Equality & inclusion
- Equality Act 2010 Schools have specific duties under the Equality Act 2010. Learn about the Act and what's required of you and of your school.
- Equality Act 2010: admissions and provision of education Understand your role in making sure your school complies with its obligations to pupils and their parents under the Equality Act, and learn what you can do to prevent discrimination.
- LAC and previously LAC: role of governors Find out what your responsibilities are regarding looked-after children (LAC) and previously LAC. Plus, be clear on the statutory requirements so your school can stay compliant.
- Supporting pupils who are trans: governors' role Your school has a legal responsibility to support pupils who are trans or gender questioning. Understand how you should monitor compliance with these duties, what you should expect to see in your school's provision, and what you should consider in your own practice.
- Using pupil questionnaires: guidance and examples Pupil questionnaires can be one way of involving pupils in decision-making as well as measuring how effectively a school is meeting needs. Get some guidance on how to use them effectively and see some examples from other schools.
- Your responsibilities under the PSED All schools are required to comply with the Public Sector Equality Duty. Understand what your school has to do.
8 articles
Health & medical needs
- Coronavirus: extraordinary meeting agenda and questions Be clear on whether it's useful to hold a meeting, possible agenda points and the questions you should ask your headteacher, so you're equipped to make sure your school is ready in case it has to close.
- Coronavirus: latest government advice for your school Schools will be closed from Friday afternoon until further notice for most pupils. Here are the details on which pupils should still attend, as well as what to do if they or staff develop symptoms.
- Coronavirus: what your board needs to do now Governing boards, like the schools they serve, will have to adapt rapidly to a new way of working. Understand what's expected of you as chair, and how the wider board can support, during this period of prolonged school closure.
- School reopening: protective measures for your school Get to grips with the protective measures that your school should have in place if it's reopening in June.
- School reopening: what's changing in autumn NewThe government expects schools to reopen for all children in September. Here's a summary of what you need to know, based on the latest official guidance.
- School reopening: what to monitor Even though more pupils are returning to school, it's not business as usual yet. Be clear on the areas you should focus on when monitoring your school, so you can make sure things are working well without overburdening your headteacher.
- School reopening: what we know so far UpdatedThe government has announced that it plans for all pupils to return to school in September. Find out what else has been announced, and what this means for your school.
- Supporting and promoting mental health in schools How can governors promote mental health in their school? We relay advice from two of our associate education experts on the strategic role of governors with regard to promoting mental health, and look at what the role of a link governor for mental health may involve.
5 articles
Provision for pupils with SEND
- Education, health and care (EHC) plans What are EHC plans? We look at what education, health and care (EHC) plans are, what they contain, and when they are issued. We also link to further information on governors' role in SEN provision.
- Governors' compliance with SEND legislation: an overview Learn about governors' duty to provide education for children with SEND. We run through the rules set out in the Governance handbook, Children and Families Act 2014, SEND Code of Practice and SEND Regulations 2014.
- SEND Code of Practice: a summary Is there a summary of the SEND Code of Practice? This article summarises the special educational needs and disability (SEND) Code of Practice. We outline the changes from the 2001 code and link to our SEN jargon buster.
- SEND provision Read our one-page summary of your duties in relation to provision for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Download a copy to share with your colleagues.
- SEND report to governors: template and guidance Refer to our template SEND report to learn what information you should expect to see about your school's SEND provision. Use our SEN jargon buster to help you understand the report.
15 articles
Safeguarding
- Childcare disqualification requirements Understand childcare disqualification, who it applies to and what your school's responsibilities are.
- Governors' role in monitoring the single central record Learn what belongs on your school's single central record (SCR), your role in monitoring its compliance with safeguarding requirements and when you should – and shouldn't – check the SCR yourself.
- Keeping Children Safe in Education: changes from September 2020 UpdatedA new version of Keeping Children Safe in Education will be in force from 1 September. Find out what's changed and what your governing board needs to do.
- Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE): summary UpdatedRead our summary to find out about the main points in Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2020, and to know where to look for information on specific areas of safeguarding contained in the statutory guidance.
- Monitoring safeguarding provision: checklist Your board must make sure that your school has effective safeguarding policies and procedures in place. Use our checklist to help you monitor your school's safeguarding practice.
- Ofsted’s knife crime research: summary Read our summary of Ofsted’s research into safeguarding children from knife crime, and what schools can do about it.
- Online safety: governors' role Understand your role in keeping pupils safe online. Ask the right questions when monitoring your school's internet policies and practices.
- Questions to ask about safeguarding UpdatedKnow what to ask your designated safeguarding lead (DSL) and what to look for in their answers so you can make sure your school's safeguarding provisions are working well. Plus, see questions you can use to respond to incidents.
- Safeguarding report to the governing board UpdatedAs governors, you need to stay updated on safeguarding matters. Know what to expect from a safeguarding report and what you should do with it.
- Safeguarding responsibilities UpdatedRead our 1-page summary of your board's role in keeping children safe in your school, and the duties of your safeguarding governor. Download a copy to share with your colleagues.
- School reopening: how to monitor safeguarding As a chair or safeguarding link governor, be clear on how you can go about monitoring safeguarding as your school reopens to more pupils, so you’re assured that pupils are being kept safe in all areas of your school's provision.
- Sexual violence and sexual harassment between children: summary Read our summary of the updated peer-on-peer abuse advice from the DfE and download our model policy which covers sexual harassment and sexual violence between children.
- The Prevent duty Save time by reading our summary of your responsibilities under the Prevent duty in just one page. Download a copy to share with your colleagues.
- The Prevent duty: governors' role Understand what your board needs to do to make sure your school complies with the Prevent duty. Use our audit tool, and prepare for questions Ofsted might ask you.
- The Prevent duty: schools' responsibilities What are schools' responsibilities under the Prevent duty? We relay government guidance on schools' specific responsibilities under the Prevent duty, which covers topics including staff training, the curriculum, and safety online.