AGBIS - Association of Governing Bodies of Independent Schools

AGBIS - Association of Governing Bodies of Independent Schools Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from AGBIS - Association of Governing Bodies of Independent Schools, Education, 3 Codicote Road, Welwyn.

AGBIS supports and advises governing bodies of schools in the independent sector on all aspects of governance, under the umbrella of the Independent Schools Council.

18/09/2026

James Leggett, governor at St James Ashford, has a simple reason for recommending governance: education matters. Here's why he thinks you should consider it too.

Benedict's Law is bringing new legal duties around allergy management to every school in England, with statutory guidanc...
15/09/2026

Benedict's Law is bringing new legal duties around allergy management to every school in England, with statutory guidance taking effect this month and the law itself coming into force in early 2027. For governors, this is a moment to get ahead rather than catch up.

Join our upcoming session with Sarah Knight, founder and CEO of The Allergy Team, whose team has worked closely with the Department for Education on the new statutory guidance, for a clear, practical look at what's changing, what strong allergy management looks like in schools doing this well, and what to do now to be ready with confidence.

By the end, governors will understand the key new requirements, be able to spot the gaps in their own school's current arrangements, and leave with clear next steps to strengthen compliance and reduce risk.

📅 17 September 2026
🕙 10am to 11am BST
💻 Online
💷 £60 per delegate

A few places remain. Book now to secure yours. https://www.agbis.org.uk/training-development/ems-event-calendar/ready-for-benedict-s-law-the-allergy-team.html

Governors often ask themselves whether they are questioning enough. It might be the wrong thing to measure.Effective gov...
14/09/2026

Governors often ask themselves whether they are questioning enough. It might be the wrong thing to measure.

Effective governance is not about the number of questions raised or the length of a discussion. Constructive challenge exists to improve decisions, not to demonstrate scepticism.

Too little challenge can lead to complacency, with reports accepted unquestioned and risks missed. Too much can slow decisions down, erode trust, and pull the board into operational detail.

The strongest boards focus their scrutiny on what matters most: strategy, educational outcomes, safeguarding, finance, and risk, using good information to judge where deeper questions are needed.

A simple test: does the board leave a meeting with more clarity and better decisions than it arrived with? If so, the balance is probably right.

Good governance is not about asking more. It is about asking well.

If your board would benefit from support developing constructive challenge, get in touch with our team: https://www.agbis.org.uk/advice-services.html

As the new academic year begins, scroll for a reminder of what AGBIS offers your governing board.Guidance, advice, revie...
11/09/2026

As the new academic year begins, scroll for a reminder of what AGBIS offers your governing board.

Guidance, advice, reviews, strategy days, consultancy and recruitment, are all included as part of your membership.

Find out more:
https://www.agbis.org.uk/advice-services.html

09/09/2026

“Good governance makes the school great.”

As schools return for a new academic year, could becoming a governor be your next challenge?

In this short video, Vivienne Chapman, Chair of Governors at Portsmouth Grammar School, talks about the difference strong governance can make: supporting school leaders, providing strategic direction and helping schools keep moving forward.

Find out more about AGBIS and our work supporting good governance: www.agbis.org.uk

From good to great: what does a high-performing Board actually do differently?Most governing bodies are made up of commi...
07/09/2026

From good to great: what does a high-performing Board actually do differently?

Most governing bodies are made up of committed and capable people, yet some Boards consistently achieve greater impact than others. The difference is rarely found in the calibre of individual governors. Instead, it lies in how the Board works.

High-performing Boards are clear about their purpose. They spend less time on operational detail and more time on the school's strategic priorities, with agendas, reports and discussions aligned to its long-term aims.

They also insist on clarity of information, agreeing a carefully selected set of key performance indicators rather than large volumes of data. Well-designed dashboards help governors spot trends, ask better questions and focus scrutiny where it matters most.

Above all, high-performing Boards measure success not by the number of meetings held, but by progress towards the school's strategic aims. Effective governance is not about activity, it is about impact.

Start the new academic year by reviewing how effectively your Board spend their time. Visit the AGBIS Advice Area or contact our enquiries team for guidance on strategy, board effectiveness, agile governance and governance reviews. https://www.agbis.org.uk/advice-services.html

04/09/2026

“The key impact of the GPP has been my confidence.”

Katie Tween, Clerk to Governors at The Leys and St Faith's Schools Foundation, shares her experience of AGBIS's Governance Professionals' Programme (GPP), a structured professional development pathway designed specifically for governance professionals.

The next Foundation Programme cohort begins in November 2026 and bookings are now open.

https://www.agbis.org.uk/training-development/governance-professionals-qualification-gpp.html

One for the diary as we head towards the new school year.Safeguarding remains one of the most important responsibilities...
03/09/2026

One for the diary as we head towards the new school year.

Safeguarding remains one of the most important responsibilities of any governing body, and governors need to ensure their knowledge is up to date.

On 16 September, AGBIS is holding its annual Safeguarding Update for Governors with Farrer & Co, covering the 2026 updates to Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE), Working Together to Safeguard Children and associated statutory guidance.

The session will also consider the strategic questions governors should be asking as part of their safeguarding oversight.

📅 16 September, 3–4pm
💻 Online

💵 £60 per delegate

Find out more and book here: https://www.agbis.org.uk/training-development/ems-event-calendar/safeguarding-update-for-governors-with-farrer-co.html

A new school year, and a new chapter for AGBIS.As we head into September, there are some changes to our team, with Virgi...
01/09/2026

A new school year, and a new chapter for AGBIS.

As we head into September, there are some changes to our team, with Virginia (Ginny) Parkes stepping into the role of Acting Chief Executive.

But our focus remains the same: supporting governing boards and governance professionals with the advice, training, resources and expertise they need throughout the year.

Here are some of the faces behind AGBIS and if there’s something we can help your governing board with this term, do get in touch.

Meet the team: https://www.agbis.org.uk/about-agbis/agbis-team.html

27/08/2026

"Governance is not operational, it's strategic."

In this clip from the AGBIS Podcast, Ginny Parkes, Deputy CEO and Director of Learning and Professional Development, explains why that distinction matters when considering whether the roles of bursar and clerk should be combined. She explores the importance of maintaining strategic focus, impartiality and effective governance.

Listen to the full episode to hear more about the evolving role of the governance professional and the vital contribution clerks make to effective Boards. https://www.buzzsprout.com/2042965/episodes/17735711

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3 Codicote Road
Welwyn
AL69LY

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