Written question asked by Anne Main (Conservative) on Tuesday, 30 June 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 2 July 2009. It was answered by Lord Coaker (Labour) on Thursday, 9 July 2009 on behalf of the Department for Children, Schools and Families.

Schools: Governing Bodies

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families pursuant to the statement of 30 June 2009, Official Report, columns 165-80, on 21st-century schools, what additional training he proposes for chairs of school governing bodies; from what budget the cost of such training will be drawn; and what estimate he has made of the cost to his Department of (a) funding and (b) monitoring the outcomes of such training.

Answer: The Department produced the Taking The Chair programme for chairs of maintained school governing bodies in England in 2004. Although chairs were recommended to undertake this training, at the present time it is not mandatory. We will be improving this training so it will focus on providing effective support and challenge to the head teacher and school leadership team and holding them to account. As with all governor training, the costs will be met from schools' delegated budgets. As yet, no estimate has been made of the cost of developing the training or of monitoring its outcomes.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 495 c1005-6W; 284069
Session: 2008-09
Related items: 21st Century Schools
Tuesday, 30 June 2009
Parliamentary proceedings
House of Commons
Subjects: Governing bodies Schools
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk