Welcome to Blogmas 2025! We will be publishing a new blog post Monday-Thursday for the next 3 weeks leading up to the end of term (18th December 2025)

PLUS we are giving you the opportunity to be entered into our annual Blogmas Bingo giveaway – See more information here!

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🎄 Merry Christmas from TSG! 🎄
As we celebrate the Christmas season, we want to thank you for being part of our amazing community. Your support means the world to us!

As a small token of our appreciation we’re offering an exclusive Christmas discount on all TSG products and services valid for 1 whole year!

✨ Enjoy 15% OFF on everything from resource packs, annual planners and our TSG Membership
📅 Offer valid until 31st December 2026

Don’t forget to send in your Blogmas Bingo answers, for example: Day 1: name of symbol, Day 2: name of symbol etc. to contact@threesixty.co.uk before 16th January 2025 to be in with a chance of winning in this year’s prize draw!

The last Blogmas Bingo symbol is:

Mark this on your Blogmas Bingo card or note down Day XYZ: Name of Symbol and so on for all 12 Blogmas posts and send to contact@threesixtygov.co.uk before 16th January 2026.

Want to receive Three Sixty Governance blog posts and updates directly to your inbox?  Subscribe here.

All our best

Ellie & the TSG Team

Welcome to Blogmas 2025! We will be publishing a new blog post Monday-Thursday for the next 3 weeks leading up to the end of term (18th December 2025)

PLUS we are giving you the opportunity to be entered into our annual Blogmas Bingo giveaway – See more information here!

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Clear workflows remove guesswork, reduce errors, and make everyday tasks faster and easier. They create consistency, save time, and help work run smoothly without constant firefighting. Here are some of my go-to workflows as a Governance Professional and some points to consider:

Workflow 1: Compliance

• Consider annual, termly and more frequent actions required to remain compliant and how to best highlight when these are due to be actioned. For example:
  • Annual – completion of annual confirmations and declarations
  • Termly – register of governance checks
  • Every 60 days – confirm GIAS

Workflow 2: Meetings

• Having a clear workflow for meeting management not only supports the management of your workload and planning but also helps set parameters for those involved in agenda setting, paper preparation and the circulation of minutes and action points. For example:
  • Step 1: Agenda and papers prep (2-3 weeks prior)
  • Step 2: Circulate meeting papers (1 week prior)
  • Step 3: Meeting prep – minutes template, check for apologies etc. (1-2 days prior)
  • Step 4: Draft minutes deadline to Chair and Senior Lead for factual checking (1 week post)
  • Step 5: Draft minutes deadline to the Board (2 weeks post)
  • Step 6: Follow up on actions (2-4 weeks post)

Workflow 3: Governance Induction

• Consider current processes against any relevant policies and how these work in practice.
• Create a flow chart of actions, highlighting who is responsible for each stage, aimed timescales and how to best highlight when these have been actioned.

Workflow 4: Policies

• Everybody’s favourite subject! But as an amalgamation of the above workflows it is important to consider:
  • Timescales for review, approval and follow up steps such as posting to the school website
  • Ensuring a clear workflow that supports the management of your workload and planning and set parameters for those involved
  • The creation of a flow chart of actions, highlighting who is responsible for each stage, aimed timescales and when these have been actioned

Today’s symbol is:

Mark this on your Blogmas Bingo card or note down Day XYZ: Name of Symbol and so on for all 12 Blogmas posts and send to contact@threesixtygov.co.uk before 16th January 2026.

Want to receive Three Sixty Governance blog posts and updates directly to your inbox?  Subscribe here.

All our best

Ellie & the TSG Team

Welcome to Blogmas 2025! We will be publishing a new blog post Monday-Thursday for the next 3 weeks leading up to the end of term (18th December 2025)

PLUS we are giving you the opportunity to be entered into our annual Blogmas Bingo giveaway – See more information here!

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Governance is not permanent. In order to ensure continuity it is pivotal that boards have an element of succession planning in place. This includes identifying, developing and recruiting individuals in preparation for filling roles when others step down. Whilst an element of stability is important, it should also be considered normal for Governors to naturally move on in a planned, positive way.

Your Board may consider capping terms of office to 1.5 or 2 terms to help encourage natural succession planning.

Creating a Culture of Succession Planning

• Start including succession planning in general discussions
• Invite expressions of interest for individuals to develop their leadership skills
• Support mentoring or shadowing and development opportunities
• Support Governors in their current role through training, resources, allowing adequate time to read and question information

Today’s symbol is:

Mark this on your Blogmas Bingo card or note down Day XYZ: Name of Symbol and so on for all 12 Blogmas posts and send to contact@threesixtygov.co.uk before 16th January 2026.

Want to receive Three Sixty Governance blog posts and updates directly to your inbox?  Subscribe here.

All our best

Ellie & the TSG Team

Welcome to Blogmas 2025! We will be publishing a new blog post Monday-Thursday for the next 3 weeks leading up to the end of term (18th December 2025)

PLUS we are giving you the opportunity to be entered into our annual Blogmas Bingo giveaway – See more information here!

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Governance Elections

Staff and parent governors are elected to the Governing or Trust Board by the staff or parent body (respectively) by way of a nomination and vote. Maintained schools are required to have a minimum of two parent governors and one staff governor (not to exceed one third) on a Governing Board. Academy Trusts must refer to their Articles of Association, noting there is no general statutory requirement for Academy Trusts to elect or appoint staff or parents.

Staff and parents are permitted to nominate themselves for the role of governor / trustee or they can be nominated by another member of staff or parent. It is important that the Governing Board ensures the nominated and voting staff or parents understand that the staff or parent’s role is not to represent individual views or to report back directly to the appointing body.

The Role of the Governance Professional:

• giving notice to the current staff or parent governor / trustee
• drafting a vacancy letter
• drafting an election and notice of ballot letter
• drafting a notification of election and unsuccessful letter
• ensuring all paperwork and the election process is up to date and accessible
• supporting the induction process

Today’s symbol is:

Mark this on your Blogmas Bingo card or note down Day XYZ: Name of Symbol and so on for all 12 Blogmas posts and send to contact@threesixtygov.co.uk before 16th January 2026.

Want to receive Three Sixty Governance blog posts and updates directly to your inbox?  Subscribe here.

All our best

Ellie & the TSG Team

Welcome to Blogmas 2025! We will be publishing a new blog post Monday-Thursday for the next 3 weeks leading up to the end of term (18th December 2025)

PLUS we are giving you the opportunity to be entered into our annual Blogmas Bingo giveaway – See more information here!

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Step 1: Identify which tasks or projects have the biggest impact the longer they sit untouched

• are delays causing a hold up in something being finished?
• are you potentially missing an opportunity – such as a timebound offer or sign up deadline?
• is the anxiety of leaving a task or project untouched having an impact on you in terms of mental load?
• what is the potential consequence if a task or project is left untouched for a few days or until January?

Step 2: Consider taking small action of some high impact tasks or projects

• could you give a task or project just enough attention to keep them in good stead?
• are there small actions that keep something moving and free up mental bandwidth?
• for example – sending a holding email or sharing a partial draft document

Step 3: Decide how to tackle tasks or projects – avalanche or snowball?

• Avalanche – tackle the highest impact task or project first – for tasks or projects that are time-sensitive or mentally draining
• Snowball – tackle the lowest impact task or project first – for quick, easy wins to help build momentum and confidence

Step 4: Commit

• once you have chosen your tasks or projects and method of completion – stick to your plan and take action. Then re-consider your priorities again tomorrow 🙂

Today’s symbol is:

Mark this on your Blogmas Bingo card or note down Day XYZ: Name of Symbol and so on for all 12 Blogmas posts and send to contact@threesixtygov.co.uk before 16th January 2026.

Want to receive Three Sixty Governance blog posts and updates directly to your inbox?  Subscribe here.

All our best

Ellie & the TSG Team

Welcome to Blogmas 2025! We will be publishing a new blog post Monday-Thursday for the next 3 weeks leading up to the end of term (18th December 2025)

PLUS we are giving you the opportunity to be entered into our annual Blogmas Bingo giveaway – See more information here!

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Statutory Requirements for Policies

There are a number of places to check statutory requirements for policies in schools and academies:

• Maintained Schools governance Guide (2024): Including specific information on policies

• Academy Trust governance Guide (2024): Including specific information on policies

• Scheme of Delegation (in a Multi-Academy Trust) : An essential document which specifies the role and responsibilities of Local governing boards and schools within the MAT and ensures policy management is understood and delivered at all levels

Statutory policies MUST be held within your educational setting. Non-statutory policies are additional policies pertinent to your setting.

Policy Review Schedules

Policy review schedules and processes must be robust, compliant and effective. It is also important to ascertain who is responsible for ensuring policies are reviewed according to statutory requirements and updates.

Note! The Clerk is NOT responsible for the content, review and management of policies. However, you can take an active role in supporting your governing board and school Leaders in ensuring robust systems are in place.

Today’s symbol is:

Mark this on your Blogmas Bingo card or note down Day XYZ: Name of Symbol and so on for all 12 Blogmas posts and send to contact@threesixtygov.co.uk before 16th January 2026.

Want to receive Three Sixty Governance blog posts and updates directly to your inbox?  Subscribe here.

All our best

Ellie & the TSG Team

Welcome to Blogmas 2025! We will be publishing a new blog post Monday-Thursday for the next 3 weeks leading up to the end of term (18th December 2025)

PLUS we are giving you the opportunity to be entered into our annual Blogmas Bingo giveaway – See more information here!

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Safeguarding Training

KCSIE states that Governing Boards should ensure that all Governors and Trustees receive appropriate safeguarding and child protection (including online) training at induction. This training should equip them with the knowledge to provide strategic challenge to test and assure themselves that the safeguarding policies and procedures in place in schools and colleges are effective and support the delivery of a robust whole school approach to safeguarding. Their training should be updated regularly – with the suggestion of full training every 2-3 years and refresher training annually.

Prevent

Along with safeguarding training, Prevent training is also required every 3 years as part of the Trust’s safeguarding obligations. This can be completed online here (~45 minutes), noting anyone who has previously completed the full Awareness course is able to complete the Refresher course.

Governance Training Priorities

In addition to safeguarding and Prevent, it is important that Boards consider Governance training priorities for the academic year ahead. This could include a review of induction training and, with the aid of a skills audit, start to fill any gaps in knowledge or experience. Don’t forget to keep a clear log of all training completed.

Top Tip! Not all governance training needs to be paid for – utilise local knowledge and ask your finance officer, Designated Safeguarding Lead , Subject Lead or member of the Senior Leadership Team to present a short training session at the start of a meeting.

Today’s symbol is:

Mark this on your Blogmas Bingo card or note down Day XYZ: Name of Symbol and so on for all 12 Blogmas posts and send to contact@threesixtygov.co.uk before 16th January 2026.

Want to receive Three Sixty Governance blog posts and updates directly to your inbox?  Subscribe here.

All our best

Ellie & the TSG Team

Welcome to Blogmas 2025! We will be publishing a new blog post Monday-Thursday for the next 3 weeks leading up to the end of term (18th December 2025)

PLUS we are giving you the opportunity to be entered into our annual Blogmas Bingo giveaway – See more information here!

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Top tips for meeting preparation:

• Prepare and send draft agenda to Chair / Senior Leader and give expected deadline for papers
• Double check venue booking / virtual link
• Check for any external bodies needing to be invited to the meeting (for example subject leads )
• Check and update actions from previous meeting
• Save agenda and itemised papers to central meeting folder
• Circulate papers to governors / trustees or upload to an online governance platform
• Check if any accessibility requirements
• Check for any apologies and inform the Chair
• Check for any papers to be tabled at the meeting
• Prepare final minutes from the previous meeting for signature (pending approval)
• Prepare minutes template mirroring agenda
• Check for any items of AOB

Today’s symbol is:

Mark this on your Blogmas Bingo card or note down Day XYZ: Name of Symbol and so on for all 12 Blogmas posts and send to contact@threesixtygov.co.uk before 16th January 2026.

Want to receive Three Sixty Governance blog posts and updates directly to your inbox?  Subscribe here.

All our best

Ellie & the TSG Team

Welcome to Blogmas 2025! We will be publishing a new blog post Monday-Thursday for the next 3 weeks leading up to the end of term (18th December 2025)

PLUS we are giving you the opportunity to be entered into our annual Blogmas Bingo giveaway – See more information here!

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Maintained Schools vs Academies

• Status – Academy trusts are charitable companies Ltd by guarantee; therefore they have charity trustees and company directors. This means academy trusts need to register with and maintain information at Companies House. Maintained schools are overseen or “maintained” by Local Authorities.

• Funding – Maintained schools are funded through Local Authorities whereas academies are funded directly from the Government (DfE)​.

• Accountability – Maintained schools are regulated by Local Authorities and have a Governing Body. Academy trusts are regulated by the DfE and Companies House and have a Board of Trustees (aka directors) and Members (who hold the trustees to account).

• Governance structures – Academy Trusts have additional layers of governance (members, trustees, local governors etc.) and different structures of senior leadership (CEO, central team etc.) which leads to differences in the information required in terms of compliance.

• Safeguarding – Statutory safeguarding guidance applies to both maintained schools and academies.

• Eligibility and declarations -The same eligibility and declaration criteria apply to all level of governance regardless of whether you belong to a maintained school or an academy trust.

Today’s symbol is:

Mark this on your Blogmas Bingo card or note down Day XYZ: Name of Symbol and so on for all 12 Blogmas posts and send to contact@threesixtygov.co.uk before 16th January 2026.

Want to receive Three Sixty Governance blog posts and updates directly to your inbox?  Subscribe here.

All our best

Ellie & the TSG Team

Welcome to Blogmas 2025! We will be publishing a new blog post Monday-Thursday for the next 3 weeks leading up to the end of term (18th December 2025)

PLUS we are giving you the opportunity to be entered into our annual Blogmas Bingo giveaway – See more information here!

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The Governance Professional or Clerk will usually have a role in setting meeting agendas; whether it is to provide a template or draft agenda for the Chair and Senior Lead to review and add to or to check the final agenda before circulation with the meeting pack.

It is also useful for the Governance Professional or Clerk to have a role in setting the annual governance business plan. This is a document which can be built upon from agreeing meeting dates and key agenda items to deciding when monitoring and reporting will take place and policies approved.

Suggested key agenda items:

Autumn 1 (September / October) Annual statutory requirements Code of Conduct and Terms of Reference Agree Link Governor roles Agree Annual monitoring cycle Audit preparation (Academy Trusts only)

Autumn 2 (November / December) Governor training and succession planning Website review Senior Leadership appraisal Ethos and values Final accounts submission (Academy Trusts only) Pupil premium statement

Spring 1 (January / February) and Spring 2 (March / April) Admissions arrangements Autumn term census data Senior Leadership mid-year appraisal Spring term census data School Financial Values Standard (SFVS) (maintained) and SRMSAT(Academy Trusts) Safeguarding Audit

Summer 1 (May / June) and Summer 2 (July) Next year’s budget + 3 year budget forecast Parent / staff / pupil survey Summer term census data Annual Governance Report Governance self evaluation, skills audit and succession planning

Today’s symbol is:

Mark this on your Blogmas Bingo card or note down Day XYZ: Name of Symbol and so on for all 12 Blogmas posts and send to contact@threesixtygov.co.uk before 16th January 2026.

Want to receive Three Sixty Governance blog posts and updates directly to your inbox?  Subscribe here.

All our best

Ellie & the TSG Team