5Naureen

This week’s #BigQuestions are by Jacqueline Rodden.

"A smooth sea never made a good sailor" FD Roosevelt

What are the toughest lessons you have learnt in relation to governance?

#UKEdGovs

@hoylerosemary.bsky.social @brendanhollyer.bsky.social @sambuller.bsky.social @sarahjchung.bsky.social

Like many I started when my children were at primary school and got hooked! I love that we can give back to our communities through this important work. #UKEdGovs

"The miracle is not that we do this work, but that we are happy to do it." Mother Theresa

What motivated you to become a governor?

#BigQuestions

#UKEdGovs

@hoylerosemary.bsky.social @brendanhollyer.bsky.social @sambuller.bsky.social @sarahjchung.bsky.social

Answers from @ldfreedman.bsky.social from earlier in the week.

bsky.app/profile/samf...

New post out:

Why are Reform's poll ratings falling?
How worried should be about Palantir?
How long does Starmer have left?

And lots more of your questions...

Topics covered listed below.

(£/free trial)

samf.substack.com/p/why-have-r...

Valentine's day through the generations...

My son and his new girlfriend: sharing romantic gifts and planning a day of activities.

Me and my wife after 20 years of marriage: going to buy drain unblocker after partially flooding the bathroom.

#BigQuestions

#UKEdGovs

@hoylerosemary.bsky.social @brendanhollyer.bsky.social @sambuller.bsky.social @sarahjchung.bsky.social

“I'm one that doesn't let the pressure or any of the outside kind of scrutiny, all those things, really get to me.” Carson Wentz

How can the board perform its function of holding the executive to account without adding to the pressure they are already under? #BigQuestions #ukedgovs

I think relational and reflective capacities, such as:
• Self-awareness/critical reflection
• Confidence to question and probe
• Reflective openness around our own knowledge gaps
• Challenging constructively

It’s also about cultivating an environment that allow them to develop/enhance these skills.

"Good governance never depends upon laws, but upon the personal qualities of those who govern." Frank Herbert

What are some of the soft skills which lead to better governance?

#UKEdGovs
@hoylerosemary.bsky.social @brendanhollyer.bsky.social @sambuller.bsky.social @sarahjchung.bsky.social

@hoylerosemary.bsky.social @brendanhollyer.bsky.social @sambuller.bsky.social @sarahjchung.bsky.social

#BigQuestions

#UKEdGovs

On #SchoolGovDay the #BigQuestions team would like to thank all those wonderful people who govern our schools. Sherry Anderson said it best!

“Volunteers don’t get paid, not because they’re worthless, but because they’re priceless.”

#UKEdGovs

One key finding of my research was that when CPD isn’t mandatory, engagement often depends on how training is framed and experienced.

Boards were more likely to upskill consistently when:

• Training was seen as empowering rather than compliance-driven
• Content connected directly to real governance dilemmas
• Space was created for critical reflection, not just information delivery
• Chairs modelled a culture of learning

We have the DSL at every meeting giving a safeguarding briefing that includes a bite-size training piece on, eg FGM or Operation Compass etc

🎥 Our CEO Emma Balchin pays tribute to the governance community as we prepare to celebrate National School Governors' Awareness Day!

Join Emma tomorrow at 10am for her panel session at
Judicium Education's online #SchoolGovDay event.

Register 👉 us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

#NSGAD2026

We put the ownership of upskilling on individual governors. Each year, we choose an area to focus on (our Personal Dev Plan). This is collated into a Board Dev. Plan. Vice chair is responsible for monitoring. It's not just about training courses. It might be reading or webinar. #UKEdGovs

LISTEN: Talking Research Podcast Part 2 from the Gov RIG - BELMAS Enjoy the second instalment of the Governance and Governing RIG's 'Talking Research Podcast'...

@sarahjchung.bsky.social looked at governor training in her doctoral research - here we talk about what lessons governors can draw from her findings #UKEdGovs Listen at this link

It's often possible to build learning into meetings, e.g. by having computing lead give an online safety briefing.

Ps I love Naureen's Plato quote today.

#UKEdGovs

#BigQuestions

“I am the wisest man alive, for I know one thing, and that is that I know nothing". Plato

As training/CPD isn’t mandatory, how do you ensure your board members are constantly upskilling?
@hoylerosemary.bsky.social @brendanhollyer.bsky.social @sambuller.bsky.social @sarahjchung.bsky.social

Max Wilkinson (LibDem)
Will Home Sec condemn Trump’s ICE squads & reassure us that we will not see ICE squads on Britain's streets?

Shabana Mahmood (Labour)
"Unlike most of Westminster, I am not plagued with “America brain”. I do not spend any of my time worrying about what is happening in America"

Almost finished writing a new book with the most amazing woman (@nsachdeva.bsky.social) on becoming an expert teacher.

By putiing an effort into building a relationship between board and executive leaders that involves respect, openness, and common purpose #UKEdGovs

“Confidentiality is a delicate bargain of trust.” Martin Uzochukwu Ugwu

How do decide what goes into your confidential minutes? ig Questions
#BigQuestions
#UKEdGovs
@hoylerosemary.bsky.social @brendanhollyer.bsky.social @sambuller.bsky.social @sarahjchung.bsky.social

“Trust but verify." Ronald Reagan 

How do you monitor and interrogate data without the executive leadership thinking you don’t trust them?

#BigQuestions

#UKEdGovs

@hoylerosemary.bsky.social @brendanhollyer.bsky.social @sambuller.bsky.social @sarahjchung.bsky.social

Quote reads “The great shroud of the sea rolled on as it rolled five thousand years ago.” These are some of the final words of Moby Dick (1851) Below text is #BIGQuestions logo and the words ‘Created by Alan Richards.’ Alan Richards was a National Leader of Governance.

Governors leave and the school they were committed to lives on.

How does your board prepare for governors leaving?

@hoylerosemary.bsky.social
@dodiscimus.bsky.social
@5naureen.bsky.social
@physicsmrh.bsky.social
@brendanhollyer.bsky.social
@dudleybutt.bsky.social
@sallyfarsley.bsky.social
#EduSky

By reviewing our practice (& having it externally reviewed periodically), by ensuring we have impact (I'm a big fan of having an annual impact statement in our public information) - do we make a difference? #UKEdGovs

My Twitter/X account has been hacked, and I can no longer access it. In other words, I'm no longer on Twitter/X and any new messages aren't from me. You can still follow me on BlueSky. Please spread the word here and also on Twitter/X.

However, well-designed governor training also matters here. When governors understand their role and feel confident to contribute, meetings become participatory, purposeful, and impactful rather than simply procedural, allowing decisions to be made.