The education team from chartered accountants and business advisors, Whitely Stimpson, held its first education conference with the aim of empowering school governors to successfully run an Academy or a school looking to convert.
Attracting over 50 delegates from schools and Academies across the UK, the conference entitled: ‘’Academy Governance: The Future,” took place at A Day In The Country near Banbury on Thursday 12 June.
High profile guest speaker, Gerard Kelly, former editor of The Times education supplement, TES, wowed delegates with his controversial views on the current and future role of the UK’s education system, which included thoughts on how the role and perception of a Governor will change.
Gerard Kelly said: “School Governors will be tomorrow’s heroes and villains. As the importance of their role is increasingly recognised by the government and Ofsted, they are bound to find themselves under the spotlight. This may be uncomfortable for some but I think it is inevitable and some undoubtedly will shine.”
Whitley Stimpson’s Head of Education, Martin Wyatt, took delegates on an insightful journey through the governance framework of Academies outlining the varying roles and responsibilities for Governors.
Martin Wyatt said: “Our first conference has been a fabulous event held at a fantastic venue. I’m delighted to see so many Governors and Heads wanting to learn and improve their governance for the development of their Academy and more importantly, their pupils. We hope this will be the first of many conferences.”
The event concluded with Matthew Wolton, Head of Academies at Harrison Clark Rickerbys, highlighting key legal issues and pitfalls Governors should be aware of followed by an open Q&A session with the panel of speakers.
Whitley Stimpson’s education team is rapidly becoming known for its excellence in providing support to Academies, Multi Academy Trusts and Free Schools.
For access to useful resources visit www.whitleystimpson.co.uk or email academies@whitleystimpson.co.uk to sign-up for regular e-briefs created to help Academies stay abreast of the latest news and regulations.
