Devon Association of Governance

Are you an effective chair? Are you considering becoming a chair?

With the start of a new academic year it is good to reflect on what is happening and our need to be well informed, so have a look at our new ‘Effective Chairs’ resource for Spring 2026.

DAG supports chairs in Devon by providing this resource at the start of each school term to focus on some of the issues for boards nationally and locally here in Devon and it also provides links to exclusive resources and initiatives created by DAG to support better governance.

In Conversation with HMCI Sir Martyn Oliver:
Ofsted & Equity at Exeter University

In Conversation with HMCI Sir Martyn Oliver: Ofsted & Equity brings together Sir Martyn Oliver, Sir Michael Barber and Professor Lee Elliot Major for an in-depth discussion on Ofsted’s new inspection framework and its implications for equity and disadvantage.

On Tuesday 27th January 2026, Sir Martyn will set out his vision for inspection and accountability, reflecting on how the revised framework can better recognise inclusion, improvement and the experiences of disadvantaged pupils. Sir Michael Barber and Professor Lee Elliot Major will respond, drawing on their expertise in system reform, evidence and educational inequality.

The event will include a chaired panel discussion followed by an audience Q&A, offering members the opportunity to engage directly with the speakers on the challenges and opportunities facing schools, inspectors and the wider system as inspection enters a new phase.

Time: 17.30 arrival for a 18.00 start. 19.15 finish with drinks until 20.00.
Venue: University of Exeter Newman Lecture Theatres, Red LT EX4 4 QD
University of Exeter Newman Lecture Theatres, Red LT EX4 4 QD Exeter, England

To register for this event, please click. Please order a ticket as seats are limited. If you have any enquiries regarding the event, please email [email protected]

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MAT Inspections

The government has announced that inspections of multi-academy trusts will be introduced through an amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, fulfilling a commitment made in its manifesto and referenced in the King’s Speech.

The new provision will become law alongside the bill when it receives anticipated royal assent in the first half of this year.

Information about how the process will work has yet to be announced, along with the frequency, scope, inspection criteria, and of course Ofsted’s capacity to deliver the inspections effectively. There are early indications that inspections could start in 2027.

Emma Balchin, National Governance Association (NGA) Chief Executive, said:
“We are particularly pleased to see governance at the heart of today’s announcement, given the essential role of the multiple tiers of trust governance in leading and developing their MATs. NGA look forward to continuing to work with the government to ensure these plans deliver on their promise without creating excessive workload and pressures for organisations and leaders which already do so much. We hope in doing so we can play our part in working to ensure that the inspectorate has the capacity and tools to effectively deliver a fair framework, one which avoids disincentivising trusts from taking on those schools which most need help, while ensuring any intervention as a result of inspection is proportionate and constructive.”

Employment Rights Bill

This Bill has been designed to deliver stronger baseline protections for workers, it will have an impact on schools and in summary it will:

• Reduce qualifying period for unfair dismissal claims and remove statutory cap on unfair dismissal compensation
• Extend rights for those on zero-hours or highly variable contracts
• Provide day-one rights and strengthen leave entitlements
• Require employers to prevent harassment in the workplace
• Clarify flexible working rights.

There is a phased roll-out, with reforms being introduced gradually across 2026/27. Day-one rights for certain leaves and statutory sick-pay reforms are likely from April 2026. See this factsheet from the Department for Business and Trade for more information.

The King’s New Year Honours list 2026

The King’s New Year Honours for contributions to education, skills and children’s social care has been published.

More than 100 people across the UK were named in the list for outstanding contributions to education, skills, children’s services and social care.

Here in Devon, DAG would like to congratulate Jonathon Bishop, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Headteacher of Cornerstone Academy Trust, who received an OBE for services to Education. He was recently appointed as a DfE RISE (Regional Improvement for Standards and Excellence) Adviser helping to support schools throughout the Southwest region with driving up standards.

Violence against women and girls strategy - schools

The government has published ‘Freedom from violence and abuse: a cross-government strategy to build a safer society for women and girls’ as the first step in a transformational approach to addressing violence against women and girls (VAWG).

It explains the need for a ‘whole of society’ approach to tackle VAWG, working across government, public services and wider society to make lasting, meaningful change. It is informed by the best available evidence on what works including the views and experience of delivery partners and experts in that sector.
Under the £20 million package, teachers and families will be empowered to address harmful attitudes and behaviours head on, with young people taught to identify positive role models and challenge unhealthy myths about women and relationships.

Three new pilot programmes have now been announced as part of VAWG strategy.
• A £3million investment in a teacher training fund over the next two years to ensure the new curriculum has the greatest impact
• A £5 million pilot of healthy relationship training delivered by external providers
• A £3 million pilot programme to tackle harmful sexual behaviours.

Schools will also be supported to integrate learning about positive relationships and VAWG across every part of a child’s school life, not just confined to RSHE.

Teachers will get specialist training on how to talk to pupils about issues like consent and the dangers of sharing intimate images, with experts brought in to pilot new approaches. This will be backed by research identifying the most effective way of teaching young people these crucial lessons.

Building on changes already announced to arm children against disinformation, fake news and conspiracy theories on social media, all secondary schools in England will be required to have a strong offer to educate students about healthy and respectful relationships, with every child getting access to this by the end of this Parliament.

To tackle the most worrying attitudes as early as possible, schools will also send high-risk individuals to get the extra care and support they need, focused on challenging deep-rooted misogynist influences. A new helpline will be launched to help young people concerned about their behaviours to get the help they need.

Will EHCPs be restricted?

Various papers have been reporting over the last few days that the Department for Education is considering removing the legal right to certain supports for children that have moderate mental health and developmental needs.

Ministers apparently are considering limiting legal documents that guarantee extra support for children with special needs to those with the most severe and complex requirements. For less severe requirements legal rights may be transferred from parents to schools to deal with councils and the government directly.
Various papers note that spending by councils on special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) has doubled in the last ten years and is forecast to almost double again by 2031 without reform. It is being reported that the rise has been driven by increasing numbers of children diagnosed with autism and ADHD being given education, health and care plans (EHCPs).

Children already receiving special needs support are not expected to be affected by the reforms. Those deemed to have very complex or acute needs would also be protected, as they are under the present system, which allows parents to take their local authority to court to challenge decisions on an EHCP.
It is believed that the education white paper due to be published in the new year, will argue that spending on SEND has become unsustainable. However, any plan to limit access to EHCPs may risk further rebellion from backbench Labour MPs.

Happy New Year!

DAG would like to wish all the Devon governors, trustees, governance professionals and clerks a Happy New Year!

Remember that DAG supports you by publishing over 150 articles each year, providing weekly newsletters and creating tailored resources for board members, governance professionals and clerks, all free to DAG members.
This term we will be arranging our usual DAG Community Network online events for governors, trustees and for governance professionals along with seminars on specific themes emerging both nationally and locally, details and dates will be published soon. We will also be hosting an in person conference on Thursday 14th May 4.30pm at Exeter Race Course. ‘Inspirational Governance – more than just metrics’ will provide an opportunity for members to be part of a social and learning evening, with key note speakers and time to network, enjoy a buffet and a short musical event by Devon pupils. All designed to help members to consider how and why they should support their schools to provide enriching life experiences to expand education from narrow to broad - so save the date and register your interest at [email protected].

Please ensure that your board is accessing all the support it can to deliver better governance leading to better outcomes for all Devon pupils. See more on the DAG website www.dagdevon.uk.

Thank you!

We are very nearly at the end of this year and DAG would very much like to take the opportunity to thank all Devon governors, trustees, clerks, governance professionals and company secretaries for all their time and their considerable effort over 2025.

Enjoy your break from governance and we look forward to supporting you in your important role during 2026.

Change to FSM?

Schools Week are reporting that family income data will replace free school meals eligibility as the trigger for pupil premium and other deprivation funding for schools.

Ministers have indicated that they were reviewing how the pupil premium should be allocated. Currently pupil premium funding is paid to schools for every child eligible for free school meals or who has been eligible at any point in the previous six years.

Schools Week are reporting that the plans “…were buried in a long Treasury report.” It appears that the change is likely to use income data rather than free school meal claims.
The government is anxious that the funding goes to those who need it the most.

Reducing the spread of illness this winter

Flu and other winter viruses are circulating across the South West and in Devon with escalating number of enquiries to UKHSA due to school outbreaks, not only illness of staff and students, but also operational challenges being seen due to staff absence.

While some illnesses are unavoidable, illnesses due to infections can be reduced with simple proactive measure that minimise the spread of infections. Although maintaining high school attendance is a priority, ensuring both students and staff stay at home whilst ill and potentially infectious is key to prevent infections spreading.

The key points to reinforce with parents and staff to minimise the spread of infection in school are:
• Where a student/staff member has a temperature, even if it is managed with medication, this is a sign they could be infectious and should stay away from school until the temperature has gone
• Staff and student should stay away from school for 48 hours after symptoms of diarrhoea and/or vomiting have stopped and be well enough to return to school
• Advising and encouraging good hand and respiratory hygiene in staff and students
• Good quality daily cleaning
• Maintain ventilation in classrooms with windows open slightly and/or opening windows and doors between lessons
• Consider staff and student illness in risk assessments for any visits out of schools, particularly to any vulnerable settings such as care homes.

The report on Devon’s progress has been published

Nigel Richardson CBE has written to the government about the progress Devon has been making following its last judgement of ‘inadequate’ for its children’s services.

See the newly published report Commissioner’s report on children’s services in Devon County Council for full details.