This week I highlight the delay to the Schools Bill, an announcement due on the government’s support scheme for energy bills, the Governors for Schools Virtual Conference on 27-28 September and the results of the NGA’s latest governance survey.

Delay for Schools Bill
Prime Minister Liz Truss has delayed the Schools Bill’s progress through Parliament. The Bill’s third reading in the House of Lords was postponed, with a new date “to be announced”. The delay is reportedly part of a full review of all current legislation being conducted by Ms Truss.

Latest information on energy costs
According to a spokesperson for the Prime Minister, the government will confirm further details of its supports scheme next week.

Governors for Schools Virtual Conference (27 and 28 September)
As reported at the end of last academic year registration for this free virtual conference is now open and over the two days there are a range of sessions including academisation, governor recruitment and succession planning, a review of the September 2022 version of Keeping Children Safe in Education and improving attendance. 

Please note that you must register for every session individually, as each comes with a unique Zoom link.

Findings from the NGA’s annual governance survey
The findings from the NGA’s latest survey has revealed the emerging challenges schools and trusts have faced over the past year.  The NGA has produced three reports exploring the different angles of governing.

Over 4,000 governors responded to the survey and the top strategic priorities for governing bodies were:

• Ensuring a broad and balanced curriculum
• Improving attainment
• Support for pupils with SEND
• Pupils mental health and wellbeing
• Staff wellbeing, including workload

and top three challenges facing schools and trusts were:

• Balancing the budget
• The attainment of disadvantaged children
• Staff wellbeing, including workload