National School Governors Awareness Day

Are you passionate about improving governance and making a real difference in schools? National School Governors’ Awareness Day 2026 is your chance to gain practical insights, celebrate outstanding governors, and connect with like-minded education professionals, all in one dynamic online event.

This day-long programme of hour-long sessions brings together leading experts and experienced governors and trustees to explore key topics that shape effective governance today. Whether you are a seasoned governor or trustee, a school leader, or considering joining a governing body, this event is packed with actionable advice and invaluable networking opportunities.

Explore the complete programme below and register today to receive your individual Zoom links.

Welcome & Hot Topics in 2026

8:00am - Welcome from Helen King, Judicium Education

8:10am - Hot Topics

Steve Barker
Head of Governance Training, Judicium Education

Hot Topics is a termly briefing for everyone involved in school governance, offering a concise and practical update on key developments affecting governance, with a focus on news and guidance from the Department for Education, Ofsted and the wider education sector.

This National School Governors’ Awareness Day edition will highlight the most important recent and upcoming changes that boards need to be aware of to help shape agendas for the remainder of the Spring term. While the session is a briefing, it is designed to be interactive, with opportunities for attendees to ask questions and share comments throughout.

Raising the Bar: expectations of effective governance in 2026

10am

Emma Balchin
Chief Executive Officer, National Governance Association (NGA)

This session focuses on what highly effective governance looks like and how expectations are evolving. It will cover key areas including recruiting and retaining governors, understanding the strategic role of boards, staying informed about developments beyond the school, and working effectively with Headteachers, CEOs, and Clerks/Governance Professionals. Attendees will gain practical insight into raising the standard of governance and meeting the growing demands on boards.

Safeguarding That Makes a Difference: what great governance looks like

11am

Simon Hanley
Head of Safeguarding, Judicium Education

This session explores how governing boards can strengthen their strategic oversight of safeguarding. It will highlight common strengths and vulnerabilities from national audits and show how governors can provide effective challenge and support.

Focusing on triangulation—combining the voices of pupils, staff, leaders, data, and lived experience—attendees will learn practical strategies and key questions to move beyond paperwork, understand both compliance and culture, and drive safer, stronger safeguarding across their schools.

When Good Governance has Impact

12pm

Rama Venchard MBE
Chair of Trustees, London South East Academies Trust and Member of Department for Education’s London Region Advisory Board

In this session we will delve into how individual governors and trustees who are linked with aspects of school life such as Wellbeing can be effective in that role. We will focus on the characteristics of effective link governorship in both schools and academy trusts, how effective communication is a key aspect of the role and how this deepens the collective knowledge of the board as a whole.

Becoming a Governor

1pm

Harriet Bennis
Partnerships Team Manager, Governors for Schools

This session introduces the role of school governing boards and the impact governors have on shaping the strategic direction of schools. It will explain how the Governors for Schools free service supports volunteers through every stage of the journey, from applying to appointment, as well as the training provided before and after joining a board. Ideal for anyone interested in becoming a school governor and making a meaningful contribution to education.

Becoming an Academy Trustee

2:30pm

Anthony Melia
Partnerships Manager for Trustee Recruitment, Governors for Schools

This session introduces the role of academy trustees within multi-academy trusts, exploring their responsibilities and the strategic contribution they make to educational leadership. It will explain the trustee recruitment process, how suitable roles are matched, and the training and support provided before and after appointment. Aimed at professionals with senior leadership experience in complex organisations, the session will show how your skills can make a meaningful difference within a trust board.

Recruiting a Chair: The Importance of Strong Leadership

4pm

Rebecca Fludder
Senior Recruitment Manager, Governors for Schools

Strong leadership at board level has never been more important. In this webinar, Governors for Schools will explore the vital role of the Chair in shaping effective governance and navigating today’s challenges. Attendees will learn about the tailored support available to boards with a current or upcoming chair vacancy, and how the service helps identify and appoint the right leader for their board. Whether you are planning ahead or facing an immediate vacancy, this session will offer clear guidance and practical next steps.

The Wellbeing of Governors and Trustees

6pm

Steve Barker
Judicium Education

Mel Stokes
National Association of Governance Advisory Services (NAGAS)

This session shines a spotlight on the often-overlooked workload and wellbeing of those involved in school governance. Drawing on insights from NAGAS members, it will explore the growing pressures facing governors and trustees, from complex complaints and rising suspensions and exclusions to financial constraints and wider system challenges. We'll focus on practical, realistic strategies to help reduce workload pressures and support personal wellbeing, and will offer a preview of NAGAS’s upcoming Wellbeing and Workload Toolkit for governance, due to launch later in the Spring term.

Question Time

7pm

Facilitated by:

Steve Barker, Judicium Education

Panel Includes:

Hannah Stolton, Governors for Schools

Emma Balchin, National Governance Association

Penny Swain, Supporting Education Group

Samira Sadeghi, Confederation of School Trusts

Ellie Cheshire, GovernorHub

This closing Q&A session brings together a panel of expert contributors with decades of experience in school and trust governance. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions, share reflections from the day, and explore key challenges facing boards, gaining practical insight and informed perspectives to support effective governance.

Helen has over 14 years’ experience in education and professional services, helping schools and trusts create safer, stronger, and more supportive environments. Her background as a Deputy Headteacher in a large multi-academy trust gives her first-hand insight into the pressures leaders and governors face, from teaching and learning to safeguarding, behaviour, and standards.

At Judicium Education, she has led national teams and developed services used across the country, and as Business Director for Compliance Services, she oversees data protection, clerking and governance, health and safety, fire services, facilities, and safeguarding. Her work focuses on delivering practical, realistic solutions that strengthen school communities and support those who lead them.

Steve is an acknowledged governance expert with considerable experience in a wide variety of roles in all phases of education. He is passionate about improving the effectiveness and impact of governance in schools and academy trusts and regularly provides support, guidance and advice to boards on compliance, effective structures, and a wide range of other topics.

Alongside his governance work, Steve designs and delivers training for those involved in education governance. He is also a children’s charity trustee and CEO, and currently chairs both an academy trust board and a school governing body.

Emma has been Chief Executive of the National Governance Association (NGA) since September 2023, leading the charity’s work to improve educational standards and young people’s wellbeing. Working with NGA’s board, she represents the school governance community nationally, engaging with policymakers, sector bodies, and the media.

With over 25 years’ experience in education, leadership, and school improvement, Emma has deep knowledge of maintained and academy governance. She has served on Interim Executive Boards, mentored governors, and currently serves as a governor in a multi-academy trust, helping ensure NGA continues to meet the evolving needs of the sector.

Simon is leading audits, policy development, DSL training, and national best-practice support for schools and trusts across the country. With over 25 years’ experience in education, including 13 as a Headteacher and Designated Safeguarding Lead, he combines practical school experience with a deep understanding of statutory guidance. Simon has also served as a Parent Governor and Chair of Governors, giving him insight into governance expectations. He is committed to child-centred safeguarding and supporting leaders to build confident, well-governed systems that make a meaningful difference.

Harriet joined the charity in July 2023 after working in a Community College to support disadvantaged adults in gaining the confidence and skills to get into employment or learning. Harriet is passionate about increasing diversity in the education sector and hopes to use her previous experience to welcome everyone into the governor role. At Governors for Schools, she leads the free-to-access matching service team and hosts numerous partnerships to spread awareness of governance volunteering opportunities.

Anthony works closely with Multi-Academy Trusts to ensure they have skilled, dedicated, and experienced trustees at the helm. Anthony holds expertise across the education and charity sectors, having previously worked in the education team of an LGBT+ charity, overseeing school recruitment while developing resources for staff and pupil-facing programmes across all key stages. Anthony is a strong believer in ensuring every young person has a school experience that gives them access to different opportunities and to feel valued for who they are.

Mel is a board member of the National Association of Governance Advisory Services (NAGAS) and the founder of Legacy Governance Solutions, supporting schools, trusts, and education professionals to embed strategic, sustainable governance. She began her governance journey as a Parent Governor and Vice-Chair and has since worked across local authorities, multi-academy trusts, and Independent Executive Boards. Melanie brings a collaborative, strategic approach to strengthening leadership, improving structures, and driving better outcomes for children and communities..

Hannah joined Governors for Schools in 2017, where she managed the development of operations, enabling the team to spend less time on administration and more time working directly with potential volunteers and schools. After starting her career as a primary teacher, Hannah moved into the recruitment field, managing the UK operations of an in-house agency. She brings 20 years of experience in this area, where she focuses on expanding the charity's reach across England and Wales. She is currently Chair of Governors at a primary school in Essex and a secondary school in Hertfordshire.

Penny has over 30 years’ experience across the education sector, spanning teaching, school support services, and senior partnership roles. She is currently Partnership Development Director at Supporting Education Group, which works with the vast majority of multi-academy trusts and over half of all schools in England. Penny specialises in building strategic partnerships with schools and trusts to improve workforce resilience, strengthen operations, and unlock efficiencies. With a strong background in talent management and business development, she is passionate about helping education leaders navigate change and create sustainable, high-impact organisations..