Theme 4: Governance in Schools

thema 4

We want to ensure that:

Gwynedd school governors understand their role and responsibilities to keep children safe. (Governors are a group of people who volunteer to manage a school.)

Systems are in place to measure the well-being of pupils, staff and schools' wider culture.


What does the Our Bravery Brought Justice report say?

(This is the report that was published following the North Wales Safeguarding Board's investigation into the former Headteacher's crimes (See full report)

  • The former Headteacher had too much control in the School.
  • The school's governors did not feel confident to challenge the Headteacher. They said that they were not allowed to disagree with him, as this could lead to them being forced to leave the governing body.
  • The school operated safeguarding policies that had been written by the Headteacher, not the county Policy.
  • Governors didn’t have enough safeguarding training. 

 

What has already been done to improve things?

  • Safeguarding training is being completed by every school governor in Gwynedd. In addition to this, additional training is given to Chairs and Governors who are responsible for Safeguarding on every governing body.
  • A new governor handbook has been created and shared with all Gwynedd governors.
  • The Council has appointed an additional officer to support school governors. 
  • A training program for clerks is available to all School Governing Bodies. 

What will happen between January 2026 and July 2026?

Cyngor Gwynedd will...

  • Prepare, develop and share a standing agenda for the governing bodies of Gwynedd schools. The programme will focus on the matters of safeguarding well-being and provide them with information to understand how their school is doing.
  • Appoint a professional clerk in order to provide further guidance and support to Governors' bodies. 

What will Cyngor Gwynedd have achieved by February 2027?

  • The Welsh Government is currently reviewing the governance of schools in Wales. Following that, the Council will implement the necessary changes. 

Measuring impact

  • Estyn school inspections (⁠A team of people who visit schools to see how well they are doing) show that every school is following the safeguarding procedure.
  • Measuring govenors' confidence levels after receiving safeguarding training.

 

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