DET Dispatch - February 2024

February 2024

Dear Colleagues,

Welcome to our annual governance takeover for the DET Dispatch, an opportunity to give you an update on governance.

Governance is an important part of the work that goes on behind the scenes to support the schools to improve the outcomes for our learners. Whilst the Trust Board is the legally responsible body, it delegates some of that to the School Boards. The most important element of the School Boards (local governing bodies) is their links to the community. You can read about our structure on the Trust website. Or, if you have the time and inclination, please look at the DET Governance Handbook. It will tell you everything you need to know. This handbook is updated every year, so if there is anything you think we could add, please let me know.

With best wishes

Susan Poole, Head of Governance and Compliance
Danes Educational Trust

Making the difference together

New schools

A huge welcome to the governors on the School Boards for Cranbourne Primary School and Roselands Primary School. The schools joined Danes on 1 January 2024 along with The John Warner School. The primary school governors all transferred from the previous local governing bodies and have made a great start with updating their training and already sitting on panels across the Trust.

The John Warner School was judged to be Inadequate in October 2022 and so the Board decided an Interim Action Board (IAB) would be more appropriate. We use an IAB when a school needs an intensive level of support to bring about rapid school improvement. IABs are populated by education professionals who are appointed based on their experience and the needs of the school. The IABs are in place usually for approximately 12 - 18 months. After which time, we reinstate a school board.

Governance event

Thursday 16 May 2024, 6pm - 8pm, in person

We are looking forward to seeing Trustees and Governors at the governance event we are planning. If you are attending and there is anything you would particularly find valuable, please let me know.

Trustee development day

One of the three core functions of the DET Board is overseeing the strategy and how that drives the work of the Trust.

The Trust Strategic Plan (2022-2025) which was shared with you two years ago is in full swing, and this is regularly reviewed as part of the Board’s work.

The Board is conscious that the Trust has now grown to 12 schools and so that the Board is fully able to oversee the growing trust, it is currently reflecting on how it can govern even more effectively. The first stage of this is a strategy day at the end of April, facilitated by Michael Pain, from Strategy Forum.

Panel work

I am sure I don’t need to tell you all just how much more panel work we have now compared with a few years ago. Unfortunately exclusions and complaints requiring a panel both have increased significantly. This is not unique to Danes - it is the same nationally and conversations are taking place at the Department for Education to see what can be done to lighten the burden on governors (and leadership teams in schools). Governors are hugely important to this process - ensuring that we are following our legal obligations and more importantly, ensuring the learners and their families experience a fair process.

Complaints process

Some of you will all be familiar with the DET Suspensions and Exclusions Pack, which I know from the feedback I have received, has been helpful. It is particularly for those sitting on a panel for the first time. By the end of this academic year, we will also have a DET Complaints Pack, which will be similar in format - all the information both schools and governors need to support the complaints process. If you have any suggestions for the content, please let me know.

New Trustees

To support the development of the Board’s work, we have recruited three new Trustees through a company called Nurole, which supports boards to find trustees. They all joined officially from 1 January 2024.

John Camp

John is currently the CEO of The Compass Partnership of Schools, a charitable trust of 12 primary schools and one all-through special school advancing education for the public benefit across Greenwich and Essex. He is also a Trustee of The Endeavour Partnership Trust, and The Maritime Children’s Foundation.  

Russell Deards

Russell is currently the Director of Legal & Compliance and Company Secretary for a large group of plumbing, heating and energy efficiency businesses. An experienced in house lawyer/General Counsel who has held previous legal leadership roles in both a publicly listed house builder and in a developer/contractor/land promoter group.

André Roy

André is an experienced Cybersecurity expert, with over 35 years experience of consultancy and senior leadership in the telecommunications, media and entertainment industries in Canada, the UK, Germany and France. Additionally, he is a trustee at the local sailing club, as well as a trustee with both local and district level Scouting groups, and a Scout Leader.

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