Good goverance essential to schools

School Governors today met in Templepatrick at the ‘Promoting School Governance Conference’ and received thanks for the role they play in schools.

Some 200 delegates were addressed by speakers including Will Haire, Permanent Secretary of the Department of Education and Marion Matchett, Chief Inspector of the Education Training Inspectorate on a wide range of issues including educational reform, schools admission and area-based planning.

Speaking to delegates Will Haire said “Governors take a central role in promoting good standards in our schools. Without their leadership and support, schools could not achieve as much. That they freely give so much of their time to this work is deeply impressive.

“This is a significant time of change within education, with the Minister bringing forward major reforms such as changes in transfer, as well as the implementation of the revised curriculum, the revised literacy and numeracy strategy, and the school improvement policy. Policies such as these aim to continue to build on our excellent educational record as well as reduce levels of underachievement.

“Strong, sustainable schools are central to this whole reform. Good governance is essential if we are to deliver the highest possible standard of education to all our children. This conference seeks to give governors an understanding of the direction of education and to offer governors the support to continue with their excellent work.”

A second conference will be held in the Killyhevlin Hotel, Enniskillen on 21 May 2008. Any school governor interested in attending this conference should contact Gina Livingstone at the Regional Training Unit on 90618121.

Notes to Editors:

1. The Schools Governors’ Conference was held in the Hilton Hotel, Templepatrick

2. Speakers at the conference were:

• Will Haire, DE Permanent Secretary,
• Marion Matchett, Chief Inspector, Education and Training Inspectorate
• Gavin Boyd, Chief Executive Designate, Education Skills Authority
• Liz Cross, Principal Consultant, MR Partnership

3. Media queries, contact the Department of Education Press Office on 028 9127 9701.

4. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.