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On Demand

In 2023 we hosted an exciting day of virtual events.

We welcome you to watch and revisit the important topics discussed on National School Governors’ Awareness Day 2023. All webinars are available to watch on demand below.


Welcome & Hot Topics

Steve Barker | Better Governor

Steve Barker, Head of Governance Services at Strictly Education and creator of Better Governor delivered the latest news from the DfE that impacts school governance. Steve also shared the results of the 2023 School Governors’ Survey which asked about the impact of the cost-of-living crisis in schools.


Recruiting a School Governor in 2023

Emma Harris & David Ardill | Governors for Schools

In a post-pandemic world, a different set of challenges are impacting schools in recruiting new governors.

Emma and David from Governors for Schools explore solutions for the sector in this webinar.


Cost-Of Living Anxiety: The Signs to Look For

Viv Trask-Hall & Anna Smee | Thrive Approach

School governor and Head of Product and Innovation at Thrive, Viv Trask-Hall and Managing Director Anna Smee introduce the scale of the problem of the current economic landscape, the weight of the crisis on young shoulders, how to spot the signs of cost-of-living anxiety, and the whole-school approach governors are embracing to reduce the influence of community adversity on pupils’ development.


The Impact of Poverty

Kate Anstey | Child Poverty Action Group

By watching this session, you will begin to understand the scale of child poverty and challenges for families during the current cost-of-living crisis. Gain insight from pupils and families on how this is affecting school life and understand how this insight can inform your work as governors, including practical solutions, ideas and resources


The Governance of Disadvantage

Fiona Fearon | National School Governance Association

The National School Governance Association have researched the impact on governance when learners are at a disadvantage. They have also created toolkits to help schools and governors support disadvantage. Fiona Fearon from the NGA discusses actions in this informative session.


An Introduction to Governance

Emma Harris | Governors for Schools

The ideal session for anybody who is considering becoming a school governor. Emma takes a look at the role and the responsibilities undertaken by school governors. By watching this session, you will minimise any surprises when undertaking a governance position in a school.


Equity in the Classroom

Lee Elliot Major | University of Exeter

Professor of Social Mobility at University of Exeter, Lee Elliot Major delivered an insight into the importance of social mobility and the differences between “equity” in the classroom as opposed to “equality” in the classroom. An extremely informative session with strategies that will leave viewers with thoughts to take back to their schools for discussion.


Question Time

School Governance Expert Panel

Chaired by Steve Barker of Strictly Education who was joined by:

Viv Trask-Hall, Thrive Approach
Jackie Eason, Confederation of Schools Trust
Emma Knights, National Governance Association
Hannah Stolton, Governors for Schools

Together they answer questions received throughout the day and session about the topic and school governance in general.