Director & Governor Development
At Lydiate Learning Trust (LLT), we recognise that effective governance is fundamental to achieving the best possible outcomes for children and young people. To ensure our governance remains strong, informed and strategically focused, the Trust Board and each Academy Governance Committee (AGC) hold a dedicated annual Governance Development Meeting.
These meetings provide an opportunity for Governors and Directors (Trustees) to reflect on their effectiveness, review priorities and ensure that governance skills and knowledge remain aligned with the needs of the Trust and its schools.
Developing Effective Governance
Each Governance Development Meeting is tailored to the specific needs of the Board or AGC and is designed to support continuous improvement in governance practice.
A key feature of these meetings is the completion and review of a governance skills audit, enabling Governors and Directors to assess the collective strengths of their Board or Committee and identify any gaps in knowledge, experience or expertise. This helps ensure that governance remains equipped to provide effective strategic leadership, support and challenge.
Following the skills audit, participants agree development priorities and create a focused action plan to strengthen governance capacity over the coming year.
Keeping Governance Current
Governance Development Meetings are led by the relevant Chair and supported by the Trust’s governance professionals. For Trust Board sessions, meetings are facilitated by the Chair of the Board and the Senior Governance Professional. For Academy Governance Committee sessions, meetings are facilitated by the Chair of the AGC and the Governance Professional.
Development priorities are informed by national guidance, sector developments and the evolving needs of the Trust and its schools.
- Confederation of School Trusts (CST)
- Department for Education (DfE)
- National Governance Association (NGA)
- GovernorHub
- Emerging developments across the education and governance sector
This ensures that Governors and Directors remain informed about current expectations, legislative requirements and best practice in school and trust governance.
Supporting Continuous Improvement
Each Governance Development Meeting provides an opportunity for Governors and Directors to:
- Reflect on governance effectiveness and impact.
- Review Board or Committee priorities and future challenges.
- Consider the outcomes of skills audits.
- Identify individual and collective development needs.
- Share good practice and experiences.
- Agree actions to strengthen governance effectiveness.
- Build strong and collaborative governance teams.
For those new to governance, these meetings help build confidence and understanding of the role. For experienced Governors and Directors, they provide an opportunity to refresh knowledge, deepen expertise and contribute to the ongoing development of governance across the Trust.
Investing in Better Outcomes
Governance development is not simply about compliance. It is about ensuring that those responsible for strategic leadership have the skills, knowledge and confidence needed to fulfil their roles effectively.
By undertaking regular skills audits and agreeing targeted development plans, LLT ensures that its governance structures continue to evolve and remain focused on supporting high-quality education, strong accountability and improved outcomes for all pupils.
Through this commitment to continuous improvement, the Trust seeks to ensure that every Board and Committee is well equipped to support the delivery of its vision and contribute positively to the success of the Trust and its schools.
Find Out More
If you would like to find out more about governance within Lydiate Learning Trust, or are interested in becoming a Governor, please contact:
Deborah Moss MSc, Chartered MCIPD
Senior Governance Professional
d.moss@lydiatelearning.org
