Welcome to the Berry Education Newsletter!
Stay up to date with all Trust governance related news and events every 6 weeks.
TrustGov – The New Governance MIS
Berry Education provides a support service specialising in governance development for Multi Academy Trusts across the North East and surrounding areas.
We’d like to take this opportunity to introduce our new MIS software, TrustGov. Used by MATs all over the North East and the response has been stellar.
Whether you are an Academy or Trust, TrustGov will give you the power to manage your governance needs across your entire trust in an economically sustainable fashion, helping and supporting board members and governors.
TrustGov’s unique top-down management approach is reshaping how MATs carry out their governance processes – improving the lives of key governance players and helping deliver on their responsibilities through a powerful, easy-to-use governance platform.
Our new TrustGov SaaS is built specifically to ease governance processes, help ensure you remain compliant and give you your time back.
With TrustGov our easy onboarding, customisable and mobile-friendly service enables all of your Trust members to have access to everything they need to be able to make informed decisions.
For more information on TrustGov and how it can support you within your MAT or to book your Free Demo click the button below!
Government urged by the education committee to tackle teacher shortages
The committee has released a report identifying missed recruitment targets for teacher training courses in 10 subjects in 2022/23. Business studies, music, computing and physics were some of the lowest.
Teacher retention is still a challenge due to behaviour, flexibility, better pay and workload.
Closing the gap between average wages and teacher pay would improve recruitment and retention. The report acknowledges the importance of additional measures like workload reduction and targeted financial incentives for subjects with shortages.
The power of music to change lives: A National plan for music Education from the DfE
All schools should have a music development plan, as set out in the national plan for music education.
The DfE are asking schools to publish a summary of their music development plan on their website before the start of the 2024 to 2025 academic year. Schools should then update the summary before the start of each new academic year.
Publishing a summary will help schools to:
- Raise awareness of their music development plan.
- Promote the school music offer to parents and prospective parents.
- Give greater opportunity for schools and music hubs to work together.
The Department for Education worked with teachers and leaders at both primary and secondary level to design the summary template.
The template is not mandatory, and schools should feel free to be able to adapt it. For example, although it is designed for the whole-school level, some schools might find it helpful to adapt it for particular key stages.
Volunteers Week – W/C June 3rd!
Have you ever thought of becoming a school Governor?
You’d be joining over 250,000 people who already volunteer as school governors across the country and share your passion, flair for education and the local community. Here’s a little overview of what’s involved.
Governors or trustees work collaboratively with the headteacher and other board members including parents and school staff. Being a governor usually involves constructively challenging current processes, using your unique skills to support senior leaders, and overseeing school finances. You’ll be involved in a whole host of areas, such as monitoring, budget management, and data analysis. As well as putting your expertise to good use, you’ll have the opportunity to develop your professional skills and knowledge.
The majority of board meetings are held each term.
Most governors will sit on a committee linked to their own skill set such as teaching, learning, finance and resources. In addition to attending meetings, governors will need to read the documents assigned to the agendas prior to the meetings. Also governors may need to complete training courses, and occasionally visit their school.
Governors for Schools and Inspiring Governance are recruitment services that exist to improve educational standards and bridge the gap between new volunteers and schools.
Click the button below to learn how to apply for the role of governor and play your part in bettering education.