They can bring a really valuable perspective but they would need a strong awareness of boundaries, as @hoylerosemary.bsky.social highlighted. I think it would require careful navigation, self-awareness, and a clear understanding of where one role ends and the other begins.
I think it's really about not avoiding discomfort. I also think you need to prepare by balancing clarity and empathy, being clear about the issue and outcome while creating space for the other person’s perspective. This helps to ensure the conversation is constructive rather than confrontational.
A huge thank you to the organisers of the BERA #ECR conference. It was an excellent day filled with inspiring research and the chance to connect with others on the ECR journey.
Looking forward to attending today and presenting my reasons for choosing Freire as the theoretical lens for my PhD thesis on school governance.
#BERA_ECR @BERA_ECRNetwork @beranews.bsky.social
So I think recruitment around those who want to support and develop their communities, coupled with training so they can see the full potential of their role, will lead to passionate governors.
I think the passion can come later for some. I know I became a governor because I wanted to support my children's school and play an active part in my community. The passion for governance didn't happen until I had started.
Currently working on an exciting idea to help UK educators connect on Bluesky.
Watch this space.
#EduSky #UKEdChat #UKEdGovs #UKEd
🎉 New article published!
‘Trying Out Teaching’: an examination of undergraduate teaching ‘taster’ modules in UK universities.
Huge thanks to my brilliant co-authors Dr Becky Morris, Dr Thomas Perry, and Dr Ruth Till!
Read it here: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
I think relational and reflective capacities, such as:
• Self-awareness/critical reflection
• Confidence to question and probe
• Reflective openness around our own knowledge gaps
• Challenging constructively
It’s also about cultivating an environment that allow them to develop/enhance these skills.
That's great @hoylerosemary.bsky.social ! Enjoy the school visit :D
Boards were more likely to upskill consistently when:
• Training was seen as empowering rather than compliance-driven
• Content connected directly to real governance dilemmas
• Space was created for critical reflection, not just information delivery
• Chairs modelled a culture of learning
One key finding of my research was that when CPD isn’t mandatory, engagement often depends on how training is framed and experienced.
@sarahjchung.bsky.social looked at governor training in her doctoral research - here we talk about what lessons governors can draw from her findings #UKEdGovs Listen at this link
Really enjoyed listening to Rosemary Hoyle with Dr Andy Allen on the 4th ‘Talking Research’ podcast from @belmasoffice.bsky.social.
Key takeaways: invest in relationships, build trust, clarify roles, and improve mandatory governance training for SLT & governors.
#SchoolGovernance
The 2nd in a series of podcasts recorded for @belmasoffice.bsky.social Governance & Governing Research Interest Group. In this I'm in conversation with @sarahjchung.bsky.social about her doctoral research into school governor training. #UKEdGovs #UKEd #PhDSky
www.belmas.org.uk/news/listen-...
That's the perfect description!
No blogs of the top of my head but just to say, you're not alone - the findings chapter was hard going for me too! I think I found it best to just keep on writing something everyday - sometimes it might only be a paragraph but it was enough to keep things ticking over.
Screenshot of a conference programme page for a presentation titled “Choosing Freire – Developing a Critical Lens for Exploring Governor Training in England.” It lists the date as Wednesday 25 March 2026, time 10:45–11:50, and location as “Escape Room.” Below, an info section explains the presentation’s focus on doctoral research decision-making and the use of Paulo Freire’s theoretical lens to examine primary school governor training in England, including its influence on power, knowledge, and participation.
Looking forward to presenting at the BERA Early Career Researcher Conference on 25 March 2026 in Birmingham.
I’ll be discussing why I use a Freirean lens to explore how governor training supports effective governing bodies.
A great space for #ECRs. Programme:
www.bera.ac.uk/event/the-ec...
Absolutely, Rosemary! @hoylerosemary.bsky.social
Glad to see recommendations recognising the importance of investing in governor training, development and research. This strongly resonates with findings from my own research on the importance of developing governor education that fits modern governor expectations.
#GovernanceResearch
However, well-designed governor training also matters here. When governors understand their role and feel confident to contribute, meetings become participatory, purposeful, and impactful rather than simply procedural, allowing decisions to be made.
For governing bodies, effectiveness comes when updates are shared in advance and meeting time is protected for strategic dialogue, challenge, and collective decision-making. This depends on clear agendas, skilled chairing, and a culture where questioning is expected.
It will be lovely to catch up with everyone at #BELMAS26 - so very wonderful to see more school governance research being shared. Can't wait to hear your presentation @hoylerosemary.bsky.social !
Checked my emails & my abstract - ‘A partnership of equals? An exploration of the relationship between the chair & the executive leader in the English state school system.’, has been accepted too! Spreading the word of governance research. #UKEdGovs #UKEd @belmasoffice.bsky.social #BELMAS2026
@hoylerosemary.bsky.social Huge congratulations! 🎉 That’s a brilliant abstract and a much-needed piece of governance research! Can’t wait to see it spark discussion at #BELMAS2026. Well deserved 🎉 #UKEdGovs #UKEd
Delighted to share my submission, “Beyond Ticking Boxes, Building Models and Pathways for Effective Governor Training,” has been accepted for presentation at the BELMAS Annual Conference 2026. Thanks to the reviewers—looking forward to contributing to the governance conversation. #BELMAS2026
The BQ team wishes all who celebrate, a happy Christmas, and restful holidays to those who don’t. We’ll be back in the New Year with more #BigQuestions
“Work is love made visible.” Khalil Jibran
Governors are one of the largest volunteer forces in the country. Their love for good education and their commitment to ensuring a good education for ALL children is why they do what they do. #BigQuestions
Great question! I think that for this to happen, both parties (governors and SLT) need to be involved in developing the ethos of the school, with open conversations around what the school is and what they want the school to be.
This includes access to mentoring and recognising that effective leadership grows through continuous learning and not experience alone.