Now more than ever we see the role of School Governance taking increasing responsibility as the custodians of our schools and education system. With each whitepaper and policy update the accountability, layers of scrutiny and expected support increase ever upwards yet we face a national shortage of willing volunteers to come and share their experience with our schools and an increasing disconnect with the perception of what the badge of "Governor" or worst still "trustee" really means.
With nearly two decades of school governance experience across Infant, Primary, Secondary, All-Through and Alternative Provision schools and academies, distilled into an easy-to-read format, "My School Governance Handbook" aims to make the complex world of school governance simple and accessible to all.
This handbook will takes readers step by step through the basics of school governance, what the role entails and what they need to know. It explains how schools and multi academy trusts are structured, the key areas of school life governors need to understand, the relevant questions to ask and finally, includes a handy dictionary to help them navigate their way through all those "pesky" education acronyms.
Including plain english explanations, question examples and checklists for each topic covered, "My School Governance Handbook" is the perfect companion for any school governor.
Pre-release Reviews of the book
“This book is an excellent governance handbook written by a highly effective and successful school governor and trustee. It is essential reading for any experienced or would be governor of schools or trusts allowing them to understand the complexity of the education landscape, and create a blueprint for their own education governance journey.
Written in an informative, lucid and engaging style, I highly recommend it to the many volunteers engaged in supporting schools, colleges and trusts.”
Carl Ward, Chair, Foundation for Educational Development (FED)
"My School Governance Handbook” is a great resource for anyone starting their governance journey and wondering what they need to know first. If you're already a governor, it will help you think about the broader activities going on and how you can improve further." Hannah Stolton, CEO, Governors for Schools
"Al Kingsley's Governance Handbook is an excellent and welcome resource for school governors or trustees - whether starting out or experienced in the role. It's really comprehensive, well written and very approachable" Neil Collins, MD, GovernorHub
“I was really excited to be approached by Al to review a preview copy of “My School Governance handbook” and it’s great especially because it keeps things simple! Governance can be an extremely complex area, but Al does a fantastic job when it comes to laying things out in an easy to read and understandable format “
Matt McDermott, Founder, The Multi Academy Trust Association
“Whether you are just exploring what you may be able to bring to a school or MAT as a governor or trustee, or have already set off on your governance journey, “My School Governance Handbook” will prove to be an invaluable source of information for you.
Al has very ably distilled a wealth of information in this accessible guide which should be essential reading for all who wish to ensure that good governance is at the heart of all that we seek to achieve for our children and young people.”
Mark Potter, Chair of the Board of Trustees, Thomas Deacon Education Trust.
“What a great read - all resources in one place! This book is fantastic for anyone already supporting schools and trusts or for those interested in school governance. This book will hopefully inspire others and provide the tools and confidence to those interested in getting involved.”
Emily Culpin, Governance Professional, Hampton Academies Trust
About Al
Al has spent the last 30 years in the Educational Technology space and almost 20 of those as a school trustee and governor.
He is Group CEO of NetSupport Ltd, an internationally acclaimed EdTech vendor, and has lived and worked in both the UK and US. He is Chair of Hampton Academies Trust and the Richard Barnes (AP) Academy, all in the East of England. He also chairs his region’s Governor Leadership Group.
Alongside these roles, Al also sits on the DfE’s Regional Schools Directorate Advisory Board for the East of England and is the Independent Chair of the County’s SEND Board.
As a firm supporter of lifelong learning, he is also a regional Apprenticeship Ambassador and Chair of the Employment and Skills Board for his region’s combined authority.
An active writer about all things Education, Al is a member of the Forbes Technology Council and sits on the advisory council for the Foundation for Education Development.
You can find out more about Al at www.AlKingsley.com or on Twitter at @AlKingsley_edu
