THE enormous contribution made to schools by an army of more than 300,000 volunteers will be highlighted and celebrated in the inaugural National School Governors’ Awareness Day (NSGAD) today (Tuesday, February 22).

NSGAD has been created to celebrate the outstanding work of school governors around the country who were invited to share their views on the challenges and opportunities they have experienced since the COVID pandemic began.

Staff wellbeing was the main concern, with more than 90% of the 212 governors and trustees surveyed saying that staff wellbeing and workload was an issue in their schools. Almost as many, 87%, agreed that governing bodies could have a positive impact on this issue with consistent focus by making it a recurring meeting agenda item.

Making an effort to express thanks to staff for their hard work through thank-yous and simple gestures such as cakes was another popular choice, along with auditing their school on staff welfare.

NSGAD will showcase a variety of governor perspectives on the role, support professional development of existing governors and provide a forum for governors to come together and discuss key themes and challenges in governance in 2022.

Many of the issues that will be discussed during the event have been highlighted in the survey conducted by event organisers Strictly Education.

Asked to select statements that closely reflected their views of governance during COVID, more than 80% of respondents agreed virtual meetings, which at times became the only way of meeting during the pandemic, had worked well.

One governor who took part in the survey commented: “I feel that all governing bodies have continued to work well, finding new and creative ways to carry out monitoring and communicate during the pandemic.”

Steve Barker, an experienced governor himself, with more than 30 years’ experience, and Head of Governance Services at event sponsor Strictly Education, said: “As expected, staff wellbeing is a concern for many school governing boards, but the governors we have surveyed, and our experience of engaging with governing boards on an ongoing basis tells us that most are committed to supporting schools reduce the impact of workload, which clearly has increased during the pandemic.

“This is where governors come into their own by providing the support and encouragement needed, not only to headteachers but the school as a whole. It is a key reason why many people want to be a school governor.”

In addition to the virtual event on tomorrow, governors are being encouraged to upload videos and talk about their experiences. Headteachers can send a free e-card to thank their governors and all involved in governance are invited to join in the conversation on twitter @SchoolsGovDay.

The day will also help people who are interested in school governance to understand the role and learn how to become a governor.

Details of the National School Governors Awareness Day virtual programme and activities are available at https://schoolgovernorsday.co.uk and by signing up to the National School Governors’ Awareness Day Twitter feed at @SchoolGovDay.