Religious Education is the only curriculum area that has a locally agreed syllabus rather than a national curriculum. It is a subject that is has statutory regulation to support its teaching. East Sussex is embarking on a statutory review of the Local Agreed Syllabus and this is an opportunity for governors to be updated and to be able to put forward their perspective on the work that is currently underway to improve the standing and quality of RE teaching in the county.
This session for governors will:

• Give an overview of the Local Agreed Syllabus developments to support governors in their monitoring role
• Ensure that governors understand the statutory position of RE and collective worship in all schools
• Give an opportunity for questions and discussion around the proposals for the new Local Agreed Syllabus
• Share the timelines and plans for first teaching of the new syllabus
• Support governors to be able to support their schools with implementing the new requirements
• Update governors on the Ofsted Research Review of RE

Essential training to meet statutory requirements

Governing boards in maintained schools have a statutory duty under the Education (School Teachers’ Appraisal) (England) Regulations 2012 for headteacher appraisal.

High-quality induction ensures that new governors and trustees can hit the ground running. This networking session will support the induction process for new governors by providing an opportunity for new governors to come together to network and to raise and discuss any questions or issues they have with other new governors and with members of the East Sussex Governors' Forum. We welcome any new governors to attend this session. Governor mentors or buddies are welcome to attend the session.

Governors have a responsibility to ensure their school complies with the Equality Act 2010. This 2 hour training session is an introduction to equality & diversity legalisation and governors' roles and responsibilities within this. The course will help governors ensure schools are inclusive of the diverse needs of their community. In this course we will go through the relevant legislation and current Ofsted advice, look at up to date equality data, appropriate terminology, best practice around equality issues, using quizzes, group activities and case studies. This course will set you on the right path to best support your school to embed a whole school approach to equality

This course aims to provide new governors or governors new to school finance with an understanding of how schools are funded and the part the governing board plays in ensuring financial accountability.

This training will focus on the following key areas:

- Enable Clerks to hone their skills in providing high quality advisory support to the Board.
- Key legislation, statutory requirements and best practice that Clerks needs to routinely access in the course of their role.
- Sign-posting to key ESCC model policy documents.
- Enable Clerks to keep appraised of broader Governor training & development opportunities.
- Includes clarification on the key differences between MATs and maintained schools.

This is an opportunity for Chair's of Governors to attend a networking session facilitated by Karen Marr of the East Sussex Governors Forum (ESGF). This event will provide an opportunity for Chairs to network and discuss any topical issues related to being a Chair of a governing board.

Professional clerking has a vital role to play in meeting the administrative and procedural requirements of boards and enabling efficient
and effective discussion and decision making.

The education sector can be a fast moving field, and you may find it tricky to stay on top of changes and statutory requirements. When considering the effectiveness of school governance, the role of the professional clerk cannot be underestimated and it is considered essential that clerks keep up to date with changes in the sector and identify good practice to make the most of the hours worked.

It is also recognised that the role can feel isolating when working independently of the school. The Area Network meetings give clerks the opportunity to network and share best practice with their colleagues.

Governors have a key role in ensuring schools meet their statutory requirements in relation to Careers Education, as set out in the Department for Education’s Careers Strategy (2017), to ensure that their pupils are equipped with the tools and knowledge to makes informed choices about the subjects they are undertaking and their futures. This short one hour session will provide Governors with helpful information on how to work as a Careers Link governor and the important role that governors play in supporting a whole school careers strategy.

The national Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Code of Practice applies to maintained schools and academies. It says in paragraph 6.3: There should be a member of the governing body or a sub-committee with specific oversight of the school’s arrangements for SEN and disability.

This session will provide governors with SEND responsibilities the knowledge to work effectively with the schools SEND Lead and ensure the governing body's repsonsibilities are being met.