National Governance Association

National Governance Association Empowering those in governance with valuable resources & support to shape stronger governance. Local Governor Associations may also join the NGA.

NGA support local governor associations and governing bodies, lobby ministers and policy makers on all policies that impact schools and offer high-quality guidance, information, conferences and advice for governors and governance professionals. NGA facilitate effective communication with our members, tailored to the requirements of governors. Our range of communications includes our bi-monthly magazine; Governing Matters, a weekly e-newsletter, bulletin board for local associations and regular events and conferences. Governors can join the NGA as individuals, or as members of a government maintained governing body; this includes academies, free schools and city technology colleges. Local authorities, education organisations and education businesses can also support the work of the NGA as corporate partners.

📝 As the first phase of SEND reform rolls out, what should boards be focusing on this year? https://www.nga.org.uk/event...
12/10/2026

📝 As the first phase of SEND reform rolls out, what should boards be focusing on this year? https://www.nga.org.uk/events/send-network-autumn-2026/

Join our SEND Network meeting on Tuesday 10 November to discuss key governance priorities for the new academic year.

The DfE's Director of SEND and AP, Claire Burton, will explain the expectations of governing boards in 2026-27, including oversight of funding, inclusion strategies and estates.

We'll also hear from Aaron King, Inclusion Advisor at 9000 Lives, offering practical advice on inclusion strategies and sharing real-life lessons from working with young people and schools.

Register 👉 https://www.nga.org.uk/events/send-network-autumn-2026/

📌 Six weeks to go! Book your free place at our Annual Conference and AGM in Birmingham. https://www.nga.org.uk/events/an...
09/10/2026

📌 Six weeks to go! Book your free place at our Annual Conference and AGM in Birmingham. https://www.nga.org.uk/events/annual-conference-and-agm-2026/

This is your chance to hear directly from NGA's leadership as we set out our key areas of focus for the year ahead, shaped by the views and experiences of our members.

We'll be joined by sector experts and leaders who will share fresh perspectives, practical ideas and insights to help you navigate the challenges and opportunities facing governance.

Our topics to discuss include:

📍 Effective local governance in multi academy trusts
🎯 Strategic leadership and intelligent delegation
🤖 Using AI and digital tools to reduce governance workload
📝 Reforms to the SEND support system

The day includes an annual address from our chief executive Emma Balchin, our AGM, and a drinks reception at the NGA stand, M28.

Join us on Thursday 19 November as part of The Schools & Academies Show, held at the NEC.

Register 👉 https://www.nga.org.uk/events/annual-conference-and-agm-2026/

The party conference season gave NGA an important opportunity to put school governance firmly on the political agenda. O...
08/10/2026

The party conference season gave NGA an important opportunity to put school governance firmly on the political agenda.

Over the past three weeks, NGA has attended party conferences in Brighton, Liverpool, and Birmingham, speaking with politicians and policymakers about the issues that matter to governors, trustees, and governance professionals.

From our midterm manifesto to the future of the education system, we used the conferences to ensure the experiences and priorities of school and trust governors were part of the conversation.

Our Head of Policy & Impact, Michael Barton, reflects on our conference season and what we heard from the parties.

Read the blog: https://www.nga.org.uk/news-views/directory/party-conference-season-2026/

🤖 Develop your understanding of AI and provide effective oversight with our policy builder and toolkit. https://www.nga....
07/10/2026

🤖 Develop your understanding of AI and provide effective oversight with our policy builder and toolkit. https://www.nga.org.uk/knowledge-centre/ai-toolkit/

Created in partnership with Google for Education, these tools have been designed specifically for governors, trustees and governance professionals.

Our practical resources will help you and your board to:

💻 Build your confidence and understanding of AI in education
💬 Ask the right questions and have meaningful conversations with school leaders
📝 Develop a robust AI policy tailored to your school or trust
🔍 Provide informed, effective strategic oversight as AI continues to evolve

Explore the toolkit and help your board to navigate AI with confidence.

Find out more 👉 https://www.nga.org.uk/knowledge-centre/ai-toolkit/

📨 The NGA Membership Survey 2026 is open, and we want to hear from you! https://www.nga.org.uk/membership-survey-2026-so...
05/10/2026

📨 The NGA Membership Survey 2026 is open, and we want to hear from you! https://www.nga.org.uk/membership-survey-2026-social/

Your feedback is hugely important to us. It helps NGA to understand how we can better support your vital work, improve our services, and make sure your membership offers the best possible value.

Whether you're a governor, trustee, chair or governance professional, your perspectives are crucial.

The survey takes around ten minutes to complete and your responses are confidential. You can also save your answers and return to finish the rest later.

🎁 Members who complete the survey can choose to enter a prize draw to win one of five £50 Marks & Spencer gift vouchers.

Take the survey 👉 https://www.nga.org.uk/membership-survey-2026-social/

With party conference season underway, we’re taking the opportunity to put governance firmly on the political agenda. Ou...
02/10/2026

With party conference season underway, we’re taking the opportunity to put governance firmly on the political agenda.

Our new mid-term manifesto sets out what we believe is needed to build an equitable, inclusive, and resilient school system, and we've shared it with ministers, shadow ministers, and party representatives across all major conferences.

With more than 230,000 governors and trustees giving their time to schools and trusts across England, governance plays a vital role.

Our manifesto focuses on three areas:

• Investing in the capacity to govern well
• Setting conditions for equity, trust and inclusion
• Strengthening system integrity

As schools and trusts face falling pupil numbers, funding pressures and increasing inclusion challenges, the conditions in which governance operates matter.

Read the NGA 2026 Mid-Term Manifesto: https://www.nga.org.uk/about/influencing-governance/nga-2026-mid-term-manifesto/

More detail has now been published on the government’s new rules on executive pay in academy trusts, first announced ove...
30/09/2026

More detail has now been published on the government’s new rules on executive pay in academy trusts, first announced over the summer.

The changes set out clearer requirements for trusts when setting and agreeing executive pay, with new measures taking effect tomorrow.

Our latest news article explains what has been published and what the changes mean for trust boards.

Read the full update: https://www.nga.org.uk/news-views/directory/details-of-executive-pay-changes-published/

📅 Reflect on your approach to handling parental complaints and reconnect with your governance peers in our October event...
29/09/2026

📅 Reflect on your approach to handling parental complaints and reconnect with your governance peers in our October events. https://www.nga.org.uk/events

📌 We've joined forces with our legal partners Browne Jacobson for a webinar dedicated to managing complaints across all governance settings on 6 October. AI has significantly changed the complaints landscape and our experts will help governors and trustees to gain a clearer picture of their board's role in complaints oversight.

📌 Our Young Governors Network for governors and trustees aged under 40 returns on 7 October. We'll explore the latest education policy developments for the new year, as well as discussing how to build relationships and having challenging conversations.

📌 On 13 October, we'll be hosting our annual Local Authority Partners Network, bringing together local authority members of NGA to share their expertise and explore key developments in maintained school governance.

📅 View our events calendar 👉 https://www.nga.org.uk/events

👋 Join NGA's Sam Henson at MATPN South West on Thursday to explore how academy trusts can navigate complexity, growth an...
25/09/2026

👋 Join NGA's Sam Henson at MATPN South West on Thursday to explore how academy trusts can navigate complexity, growth and change.

Our Deputy CEO will discuss the role of governance in providing strategic clarity, strengthening executive leadership and building board capacity for the future.

Sam's panel will also feature Rebekah Iiyambo OBE, chief executive of Eko Trust, and takes place at 12.30pm in Breakout Room 2.

We'll also be bringing our Governance Advice Clinic to both days of the event to help MAT leaders work through their governance challenges.

From roles and relationships and board effectiveness to trust growth, SEND, finance and risk, our experts will be there to offer their advice.

🎟️ MATPN South West 2026
📅 1-2 October
📍 The Apex City of Bath Hotel, Bath

A strategy shouldn’t be something the board approves and then sets aside.It should shape the questions the board asks, t...
24/09/2026

A strategy shouldn’t be something the board approves and then sets aside.

It should shape the questions the board asks, the evidence it looks at and the decisions it makes throughout the year.

In our latest blog, Rosemary Lovatt, NGA's Head of Consultancy, explores how boards can make sure their strategy is driving their business, rather than sitting alongside it as a separate document.

The blog covers practical questions boards can ask to make strategy a more active part of their work, helping them focus on whether they are making progress toward their priorities and whether their decisions support the direction they have set.

Read the blog :https://www.nga.org.uk/news-views/directory/ensuring-strategy-drives-board-business/

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