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FREE MEMBERSHIP: if you govern in any Wiltshire or Swindon school, you are already part of our network.
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WGN is your independent local network for effective, ethical and accountable governance. We provide a governance network to ensure the best education for Wiltshire’s children and young people. We are the independent body for the whole governance community in Wiltshire.
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• We advocate for governors, governing bodies, trustees and academy trusts
• We listen to, learn from and support our members
• We share best governance practice and our collective experience
• We provide independent networking, development opportunities and peer advice
• We consult on issues of common concern and address policy issues
• We engage with local and national government on behalf of our members
• We appoint representatives to local authority committees and other partners
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WGN strengthens our community. Makes connections. Supports you.
We are a network for support, discussion and representation.
Click the link above which will take you to the membership application form. Our service is member-led and free.
We are independent of and different to Wiltshire Governor Services (WGS). We are run by volunteers and provide a voice for all publicly-funded schools in Wiltshire, including academies.
ACTIVITIES
Our network:
• Promotes good governance • Furthers governor development • Celebrates best governance practice • Brings governors and trustees together to support and learn • Provides an independent governance voice
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We do this by:
Advocating for governance • Organising independent meetings and events • Representing governors as required • Speaking at external events by invitation • Collaborating with the LA and NGA towards good governance • Signposting services and training, support and advice • Providing representatives to the Wiltshire Council Schools Forum and the Wiltshire Learning Alliance Executive Board.​
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Wiltshire Schools Forum
The Wiltshire Schools Forum is a statutory body which the Local Authority (Wiltshire Council) is required to consult on the following functions:
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Consultation on School Funding Formula
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Consultation on contracts
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Consultation on financial issues.
The majority of forum members are “schools members”. There are 6 elected Headteacher representatives (1 secondary, 4 primary and 1 special), 5 elected Academy representatives (3 secondary, 1 primary and 1 special) and 4 elected governor representatives (1 secondary, 2 primary and 1 school with SEN provision).
These 15 members, along with the two Early Years representatives are the only members allowed to vote on the funding formula.
There are also nominated service partner representatives (1 Diocesan representative and 1 teacher representative).
Wiltshire Learning Alliance
The Wiltshire Learning Alliance represents every school in Wiltshire and is focused on bringing the education community together to achieve the best possible life chances for children, young people and their families. The Board:
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Act as the strategic forum for the Wiltshire Learning Alliance.
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Provide the strategic and operational leadership for the Alliance, gaining its authority and legitimacy through its representative membership of those organisations with a stake in improving the learning outcomes for all children and young people in Wiltshire.
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Identify key medium-term priorities and facilitate creation of workplans to deliver against key performance data and milestones.
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WGN is represented on the Board of this important Alliance which includes all state funded (both maintained schools and academies) 2-25 provision across Wiltshire.
OUR STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
EVENT 12th MAY 25 - "THE FUTURE"
Join our nest network meeting from 6pm to 8pm on 12th May at Sheldon School to better understand the emerging schools policy and hear from the horses mouth about the future of academies.
We are delighted to welcom DfE's Liz Alder, Team Leader for the South West Regions Group. This is a real coup of a speaker!
Liz has also agreed to answer pre-agreed questions on finances and funding pressures in schools - just get your question in via your booking form by the end of April so she can liaise with colleagues who specialise in schools' finances.
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Following a presentation from DfE's Liz Alder, our round-table discussions will focus on emerging schools policy and what that means for Wiltshire schools.
EVENT 29th MARCH 25 - "TIME"
Governor workload and wellbeing is on all of our minds.
This was the topic of our latest Wiltshire Governance Network meeting where we welcomed the NGA to better understand how governor capacity and wellbeing can be managed effectively.
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​We focused on governor wellbeing and hands-on efficiencies that can create capacity.
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With many thanks to Ella Colley of NGA.
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You can download the slide deck below.
SCHOOLS FORUM REP WANTED
The Wiltshire Schools Forum is a statutory body which the Local Authority (Wiltshire Council) is required to consult on the following functions:
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Consultation on School Funding Formula
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Consultation on contracts
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Consultation on financial issues.
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WGN is seeking a Primary governor representative to join the Schools Forum. You will also serve on the WGN Board to feed into and back from the meetings. This is an important role and you will get a genuine input into Wiltshire schools funding.
ASPIRING CHAIR
A number of schools have reached out to us to support the identification of future Chairs. You may be thinking about chairing in future, or just interested in what this entails. There is great local and national support for CoGs and it is hugely rewarding.
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If you would like to talk to one of us in confidence about chairing a Board, or if you would just like more information, please contact us.
BOARD MEMBERS WANTED
​Do you have time to help run the independent body for the whole governance community in Wiltshire?
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The WGN Board is made up of people like you who want to improve the support for governors in our local area. The Board sets the strategic direction of the Wiltshire Governance Network and we collaborate to provide services that our members say they want and need.
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There are around eight meetings per year and a commitment to help us develop and grow. Interested?
VOLUNTEER YOUR TIME
School governors and trustees play an important role in leading our schools. The benefits of being a governor are immense:
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Developing your professional skills and experience such as strategic planning, chairing, financial planning, and team working, all of which are valued by employers and can assist your own career development;
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Building relationships and networks in your locality and;
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Supporting children and young people in your community.​
Anyone over 18 can be a governor and you don’t need to be a parent.