Development

Alright, guv?

Tim Edge begins a series of articles advising heads and governors on how to build a fruitful working relationship with the development office. In this edition he concentrates on the role of governors

Although governors have no operational role in the running of the school, they set the strategic tempo and framework. As critical friends, governors can play an important part in the development process and their knowledge of and enthusiasm for development work can be hugely beneficial.

It is by setting a clear strategic framework in which to operate that governors provide the greatest service to the head and development director. The most effective governing bodies work closely with senior managers to agree clear strategic objectives, including those for development. These can then be refined by the development office into detailed operational plans, with agreed and realistic targets that are monitored regularly.

Leading the way
Governors also have a key role to play in managing the expectations of the school community over the output of the development team. They should ensure that development objectives contain a mixture of financial and non-financial targets and that it is stressed that success is measured over the medium to long-term.

Wherever possible, the chair of governors should allocate a colleague or colleagues to pay a particular interest in the work of the development office. It is useful in governing body discussions about development work to have at least one or two governors who can speak from the perspective of being closely involved. Chairs should also allow the development director regular access to governors’ meetings and committees where appropriate.

Stamp of approval
By supporting development events personally, governors endorse the development process by their presence. It also affords them the opportunity to gauge the mood in the school community and to offer their own particular perspective on the progress the school is making.

Finally, relationships will only truly flourish through understanding and mutual respect. There are a number of good development conferences (try: the Institute of Development Professionals in Education annual conference) that offer an opportunity for the head, development director and chair of governors to spread the good news about their school, to learn from others and to get to know each other in a different context and environment.

Tim Edge is development director at King’s College School, Wimbledon. Tim can be contacted at t.edge@kcs.org.uk 

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