Mary Myatt and Catherine Priggs explore why the Governors’ Gateway is needed. As a school governor, Catherine believes that there is a need for tight, focused recordings and resources to support the work of governors with backgrounds beyond education.

The first is the Foundation series of 10 short videos explaining the core elements of governance. The second is the Update series where Catherine explores current educational priorities such as those emerging from the Curriculum and Assessment Review.

Catherine has developed prompts for governors to consider as guidelines rather than fast rules. She shows how to hold colleagues to account while respecting the boundaries between strategic and operational. Finally, to make sure that governors are able focus on having as much impact as possible in the time available.

This recording offers governors an in-depth guide to supporting schools through an Ofsted inspection under the 2025 framework. Catherine Priggs hosts a discussion with Shamina Chowdhury, Chair of Governors, and Cheryl Cooper, Inclusion Governor, from Blackhorse Primary School in South Gloucestershire. They share their firsthand reflections on preparation, engagement with inspectors, and strategic governance. Key […]

This recording provides governors with a clear overview of the Curriculum and Assessment Review (CAR) led by Professor Becky Francis. Jon Hutchinson, one of the CAR authors, presents the key headlines, recommendations, and considerations for governors. The discussion covers the review’s construction, including stakeholder input and evidence, and its guiding principles, focusing on building on […]

Session 1 - What governors do (and don't do) A clear, practical explainer of the governor’s strategic role. This film sets out the core functions, shows where governance stops and operational work begins, and uses a short scenario to illustrate how good boundaries strengthen leadership.

Session 2 - Governance and Ofsted What inspectors expect, what governors need to know, and what is not your job. This film demystifies inspection day with a mock Q&A that gives boards clarity, confidence, and a calm approach to preparation.

Session 3 - Understanding school data A jargon-free guide to the data governors actually need. We walk through key measures, show how to interpret them without specialist training, and explore typical features of data dashboards to highlight the questions that matter.

Session 4 - Financial oversight and school funding How governors ensure budgets are sound, sustainable, and aligned to priorities. This film breaks down funding pressures, risk, and value for money, and uses a practical walkthrough of a budget report to show what to look for, including variances, forecasts, clear commentary, and any virements between budget lines.

Session 5 - Safeguarding and child protection A straightforward look at governors’ safeguarding responsibilities. This film explains statutory duties, the link governor role, and what effective oversight looks like, supported by a board discussion of a termly safeguarding reporting.

Session 6 - SEND and inclusion An accessible overview of SEND duties and inclusive practice. This film explores the link governor role and shows how boards use the termly SENDCo report to test the effectiveness of provision. Using a realistic data scenario, it highlights the strategic questions governors should ask about progress, interventions, resourcing, and the […]

Session 7 - Curriculum leadership and quality of education A practical guide to governors’ oversight of curriculum intent, implementation, and impact. This film uses a school visit scenario to show how boards focus on assurance rather than detail, highlighting the questions governors should ask to ensure the curriculum is broad, coherent, and ambitious for all pupils.

Session 8 - Governor conduct and compliance Professional standards in action. From the Nolan Principles to conflicts of interest and confidentiality, this film uses a short scenario to contrast poor conduct with best practice and shows how behaviour shapes effective governance.

A clear guide to governors’ role in recruitment, exclusions, complaints, and disciplinary panels. This film sets out how governors can act with impartiality, objectivity, and integrity, prioritise the best interests of pupils, follow statutory guidance and school policies, ask strategic questions without straying into operational matters, and maintain absolute confidentiality.s contribute strategically to key decisions.

How boards function well together. This film shows how governors balance support, challenge, and collaboration to make evidence-based decisions. Using a realistic scenario, it highlights the importance of clear roles, constructive relationships, and collective responsibility in driving effective governance.