Governor Development Programme

“The Controlled Schools’ Support Council (CSSC) invites Governors of controlled schools to participate in development sessions regarding ethos in controlled schools.

CSSC development modules in the 2023/24 academic year, aim to support governors of controlled schools as they contribute to school ethos.

Each session will focus on a unique aspect of ethos in controlled schools as described below. The Modules are virtual events and governors of controlled schools can choose to attend as many as they wish.”
 

Governors and Ethos Seven (Coaching Ethos) advocates how a coaching approach to leadership can contribute to school ethos. Governors will explore the elements of a high performing team whilst raising their awareness of coaching skills and techniques, including active listening, asking good questions and providing effective feedback. 

Duration: 45 Minutes

Delivery: Online session

Date: 7 May 2024 (7.00pm – 7.45pm) registration will open here when available for booking. 

Governors and Ethos Eight (Community) establishes the important link Governors provide between the school and the community. Consideration will be given to what it means for a school to be at the heart of its community, how a school can reflect its local community and the role the community can play in supporting the school. The positive impact community groups have on school ethos and the contribution they make to the life of the school is also considered.

Duration: 45 Minutes

Delivery: Online session

Date: 21 May 2024 (7.00pm – 7.45pm) registration will open here when available for booking. 

Alternatively, CSSC will also deliver the development sessions to individual school Boards of Governors. Each session can be delivered in its entirety or a bespoke combination of sessions can be agreed to meet the needs of individual schools.

We recognise the invaluable contribution governors make to ethos within controlled schools and look forward to working in partnership with you. For those who have attended these events we welcome suggestions for further development of our ethos programme for Governors.

For further information on any aspect of our governor training, please contact Heather McKenzie, Schools Support Officer on Mobile no. 077397 43290.

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. 

Bobby Thompson, Chair of Governors at Ballyclare Nursery School, in conversation with CSSC Schools' Support Officer Tracey Woods, discusses the importance of the relationship between the Chair and the Principal in developing and strengthening school ethos.

Maeve Maxwell, Chair of Governors at Roddensvale School, in conversation with Schools' Support Officer Tracey Woods, discusses the impact that parent governors can have on developing and strengthening a school ethos.

Chris Dorrian, Chair of Governors at Silverstream PS, in conversation with Schools' Support Officer Tracey Woods, discusses the importance of relationships and trust in developing and strengthening a school ethos.

Diane Rathfield, Chair of Governors at Limavady High School, in conversation with School Support Officer Derek Harkness, discusses the importance of ‘openness’ in helping governors to support the school leadership team as they develop and strengthen the school ethos.