Impactful Governance Board Arrangements 2026/27
Using the AELP Governance Code and Ofsted Toolkit to strengthen board practice and impact
Fees
Member Rate £89.00 + VAT
Non Member Rate £139.00 + VAT
Overview
Strong governance arrangements are increasingly central to inspection readiness, organisational accountability and effective strategic leadership across Independent Training Providers (ITPs). With continued implementation of the Ofsted Toolkit and increasing expectations around governance oversight, boards must be able to demonstrate clear impact, robust challenge and effective assurance across all areas of provision.
This webinar will explore how governance boards can strengthen their arrangements for 2026/27 through practical application of the Association of Employment and Learning Providers’ (AELP) Code of Governance alongside the Ofsted Toolkit evaluation areas. The session will focus on governance approaches that support stronger leadership, quality improvement, compliance and organisational performance.
The webinar will include:
- Governance expectations within the Ofsted Toolkit framework
- Applying the AELP Code of Governance in post-16 provider settings
- Strengthening strategic oversight, accountability and board challenge
- Governance responsibilities for safeguarding, inclusion and learner outcomes
- Effective use of board reports, KPIs and performance data
- Demonstrating governance impact during inspection activity
- Reviewing governance structures, committee arrangements and board member skills
- Developing governance evidence for SARs and QIPs
- Governance approaches that support organisational culture and continuous improvement
Objectives
This webinar will help delegates to:
- Assess governance arrangements against the AELP Code of Governance and Ofsted expectations to strengthen accountability, oversight and board effectiveness
- Apply practical governance approaches to improve board reporting, KPI scrutiny, safeguarding oversight, quality assurance and constructive challenge
- Identify actions to strengthen governance impact, inspection readiness and organisational performance through clearer evidence of board contribution to quality improvement, learner outcomes and continuous improvement
Who Should Attend?
This webinar is designed for all FES and HEI providers (including ITPs, HEIs, employer providers and colleges), apprenticeships, adult learning, Academies and NHS Trusts and 16-19 provision and is suitable for the following roles:
- Chair of Governance Boards and Board Members
- Trainee board members
- CEOs
- Senior leaders
- Company Directors
- Trustees
Agenda
|
10:00–10:10 |
Welcome and Sector Context |
Overview of current governance expectations across the further education and skills sector, including developments within the Ofsted Toolkit, apprenticeship accountability measures and governance responsibilities for Independent Training Providers (ITPs). |
|
10:10–10:40 |
Effective Governance Structures and Board Practice |
Reviewing governance models, committee structures, board member roles, skills audits and terms of reference. The session will explore approaches to strategic oversight that strengthen accountability and organisational effectiveness, with reference to the Ofsted Leadership and Governance Toolkit and the AELP Code of Good Governance for ITPs. |
|
10:40–11:00 |
Governance Oversight of Quality, Safeguarding and Financial Performance |
Strengthening governance oversight of SARs, QIPs, safeguarding culture, learner outcomes, inclusion, financial sustainability and leadership accountability through evidence-informed governance practice. |
|
11:00–11:20 |
Inspection Readiness and Demonstrating Governance Impact |
Preparing governance boards for inspection discussions, evidencing effective challenge and support, demonstrating strategic influence and linking governance activity to organisational improvement and learner outcomes. |
|
11:20–11:30 |
Summary and Q&A |
Reflection on key themes, practical next steps and questions from delegates to support stronger governance arrangements, board impact and continuous improvement. |
Facilitator
Maureen Deary, FE Inspector
Maureen is a current practising further education inspector. She inspects and provides consultancy support across all FE and Skills and HEI provision and a wide range of sector areas sectors. She works with a range of colleges, prime and sub-contractor/partner training provider organisations and is a consultant and adviser in quality development support and improvement work and has supported organisations for over thirty years in the state, private, schools, further and higher education sectors. . She has lived and worked overseas in the education sector and has held representative sports coaching posts to national level. Maureen has worked for a number of awarding bodies approving new centres, developing qualifications, acting as a Chief and Centre Approvals Verifier/Moderator and Principal Examiner and QCF qualification designer, whilst living in the UK and in Hong Kong and Asia.
Guest Speaker
Ian Smith, FES Consultancy, Inspector, Former Ofsted Senior HMI and Consultant.
Ian Smith is a qualified teacher. He is a former Ofsted Senior Her Majesty’s Inspector and has 20 years recent experience in inspection, having worked as a senior manager for the Adult Learning Inspectorate and then moving to Ofsted. He gained extensive senior management experience as a senior leader in a general further education college and holds a degree level management qualification and a Postgraduate Award in Inspection and Evaluation. Ian has wide experience spanning over 35 years in all aspects of further education and skills and across provider types. Ian has managed a national quality improvement service and has experience of managing education programmes for young people, apprenticeships, community learning and adult skills provisions. He has carried out international work in quality improvement. Currently Ian is working as a consultant and advisor in the Further Education sector.
Secure your place!
Fees
Member Rate £89.00 + VAT
Non Member Rate £139.00 + VAT
To pay via credit card, please contact our Accounts Team at:
Phone: 0117 947 2095
Email: [email protected]
If you are unable to pay via credit card, we will automatically raise an invoice and send it to you. Once your invoice has been paid, you will receive the confirmation email containing the Zoom joining link.
If you register but are unable to attend, we will send you a copy of the recording after the webinar has taken place.
Impactful Governance Board Arrangements 2026/27
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