The Controlled Schools’ Support Council (CSSC) invites Governors of controlled schools to participate in development sessions regarding ethos in controlled schools.
Governors and Improvement explores how a strong school ethos underpins effective school improvement.
Governors will consider how ethos, vision, and mission guide strategic direction and promote aspiration and high expectations. The session addresses governors’ roles in implementing DE policy, using evidence to inform decisions, and measure progress, and support continuous improvement. Ideal for governors committed to purposeful, values-driven leadership and meaningful impact.
Date: Tuesday 07 October 2025
Time: 19:00 - 19:45
Duration: 45 Minutes
Delivery: Online session
Register for Governors and Improvement module here.
Governors and ethos (school vision) will explore the role of governors in establishing the school vision, monitoring its implementation and evaluating progress.
Consideration of how the mission is achieving the vision and the importance of the core values and their contribution to ethos and vision. We will reflect on how this aligns with the Education and Training Inspectorate’s Empowering Improvement Inspection Framework and contributes to the characteristics of a successful school as outlined in Every School a Good School.
Date: Tuesday 11 November 2025
Time: 19:00 - 19:45
Duration: 45 Minutes
Delivery: Online session
CSSC has developed prerecorded PowerPoints which can be accessed by Boards of Governors or individual Governors at a time which is most convenient.
Governors and Ethos (CSSC Ethos Self-Evaluation Toolkit) considers the importance of school ethos and provides an overview of the CSSC Self Evaluation Ethos Toolkit and how it can contribute to ethos development. The link between ethos, vision, mission and values is also considered and the impact of a positive school ethos is explored.
Duration: 20 Minutes
Delivery: Online Pre-Recorded session
Governors and Ethos (Ethos in controlled schools) examines the role of Governors in establishing a clearly defined ethos statement for the school and considers the responsibilities of Governors in maintaining the school’s ethos by examining key relationships within the school community and how these can be fostered and developed.
Duration: 20 Minutes
Delivery: Online Pre-Recorded session
Governors and Ethos (A Trauma Sensitive Approach) supports Governors in understanding how developing a trauma sensitive approach to practice can enhance a school’s ethos. This session explores the impact of adverse childhood experiences on children and young people’s ability to regulate, how children will present in the classroom and considers how schools can provide experiences which support our children and young people. Governors will also be encouraged to consider support to enhance staff wellbeing and will be signposted to a number of resources and development opportunities to support these efforts.
Duration: 49 Minutes
Delivery: Online Pre-Recorded session
Governors and Ethos (Coaching Ethos) discover how adopting a coaching approach can enhance school governance and support your school’s ethos.
In this session, we explore the principles of coaching and their practical application for governors, covering how to:
• Contribute to a coaching culture that empowers staff and students.
• Apply coaching skills to both formal and informal conversations.
• Align coaching practices with your school’s values to strengthen relationships and foster growth.
This session provides actionable insights to help your school create a supportive, reflective and collaborative environment.
Duration: 14 Minutes
Delivery: Online Pre-Recorded session
Do you want to know more about what's involved? Watch some of the below videos to give you an idea of what was covered in governor development sessions.
