Legal guide a 'missed opportunity' says school governors' leader

Emma Knights, chief executive of the National Governors' Association, said the Department for Education had “missed an opportunity” with the handbook, which contains information about the role and legal duties of governing bodies in maintained schools and academies.

The DfE has produced the handbook to replace the Governors’ Guide to the Law – a more in-depth guide that explained legislation relevant to the role of governors.

But Knights said that by trying to simplify the guidance, the DfE had produced a basic guide that would only be useful for new governors.

"The new handbook is part directed at governors and part at clerks to governing bodies, but it doesn’t do either function very well. It’s neither properly one thing or the other,” said Knights.

“The first section is a useful introduction for new governors outlining their strategic role and the ways in which governors get to know their schools.

“There is, however, little for the more experienced governing bodies on the most effective governance practice.”

The long-awaited guide – the DfE initially planned to publish it in October 2012 – sets out three core functions for governors: strategic direction, holding head teachers to account, and overseeing school finances.

Knights said this was helpful, but added: “The vast majority of governing bodies do know these are their priorities, so it is not going to make much difference in practice.”

In the foreword to the guide, schools minister John Nash describes it as an “important step forward”.

“It distils and sets out clearly the essential information that all governors need about their duties and responsibilities. My hope is that it helps governors to be confident in their vital role,” said Nash.