Use appraisals to support governor development
An effective appraisal process will help you:
- Identify areas for improvement and use these to uncover governors' training needs
- Identify who needs a bit of extra support or mentoring
- Spot who's ready to take on a new challenge, like chairing a committee
- With succession planning
Encourage participation
Some governors might feel uncomfortable about the appraisal process, as they may feel like they're being tested. Encourage buy-in from your governors by fully explaining the process. Let them know that it's about helping them to develop their governance skills.
Tell governors that the school appreciates all the skills and experience that they bring to the board from their personal and professional lives. Explain that the good CPD informed by these appraisals will give them something in return. They'll be able to take the skills they've honed as governors back into their professional lives, boosting their CVs.