School

Governance

School

Governance

Here is a summary of how LDBS supports schools in governance.

Additional services are also provided through our partner Grow Education Partners. There is more information below about our services, or view or download the brochure.

Good governance makes all the difference to a school – we are here to recruit the best LDBS governors we can and to support your board to be the most effective board that it can be.
— Leanne Gowar, Governance and Admissions Officer

Find out more here about governance services in

Governance

For governors LDBS provides:

  • Policy templates

  • Training

  • Specialist support for reconstitution of Boards entering Federations and MATs

  • Regular governance updates and advice in the weekly bulletin

School Support:

  • Telephone and email advice

  • A bespoke training session for your Board

  • LDBS is the Diocesan Corporate Member for MATs

  • Up to 90 minutes telephone advice in relations to pupils at risk of exclusion.

  • External governance reviews available (extra cost)

  • Further bespoke training on request for governing boards (extra cost)

To help in recruiting governors we provide:

  • Template recruitment documents

  • Appointment of LDBS foundation governors

  • Induction training

  • New Chair training

  • Clerks’ network

  • Promoting governance across diverse networks

Admissions

The admissions authority for a VA school is the governing body; the admissions authority for an academy is the board of trustees. Admissions authorities for Church schools have a statutory duty to consult the LDBS before consulting others about their admissions arrangements.

LDBS helps by:

  • Providing advice about admissions arrangements

  • Telephone and email advice prior to admissions consultation

  • Access to Church of England template policy builder

  • Statutory consultations

  • Representing you at Church and admissions networks

  • Raising the profile of Church schools

  • Liaison with the Schools Adjudicator in relation to admissions appeals

Exclusions

No head teacher enters the profession wanting anything other than the children in their school to flourish. On average, Church schools in London suspend and exclude fewer students than average. However if approaches towards behaviour management have been exhausted, then suspensions and permanent exclusions will sometimes be necessary as a last resort.

LDBS is here to support you in the following ways:

  • Provide timely telephone advice and guidance to sense-check decisions 

  • Provide training to headteachers on their statutory duties in regard to suspensions and exclusions

  • Provide training to governors to enable them to understand their legal duties in relation to suspension and permanent exclusion and equip them with the skills necessary to consider the interests and circumstances of suspended or excluded pupils.

  • Provide advice and guidance to headteachers and chairs of governing disciplinary committees facing an Independent Review Panel hearing.

This was the most useful training I have ever had as a governor.
— Chair of governors

Get in touch

Partnerships, Federations and Academies

LDBS supports schools to establish formal collaborations with the capacity to provide long term strategic benefits, whether that is in the form of a partnership, federation or multi-academy trust.

We make strategic decisions about the legal, organisational and leadership arrangements for Church schools in line with our published advice and strategy. We work collaboratively with schools, academy trusts, local authorities and the Regional Director’s office to make decisions that are in the long-term interest of the diocesan family of Church schools.

If your school is considering its future options, please speak with your adviser at the earliest opportunity.

Do you have a question about this or feedback for us? Tell us using this form here.

Get in touch

School sustainability

The number of children living in London has been falling for the last few years. LDBS supports school governors to make decisions that will help schools to keep the quality of education high and remain sustainable even in challenging circumstances.