Behind the Ofsted Lens: How Governance Really Gets Judged

In the evolving landscape of school and trust accountability, understanding how governance is evaluated has never been more important. Under the latest Ofsted expectations, boards are facing sharper scrutiny - not only in published reports, but in the depth and direction of inspector questioning.

This webinar will unpack what recent inspection feedback reveals about how governance is being judged, explore the types of questions inspectors are putting to governors and trustees, and share practical tips to help your board feel confident, prepared and inspection-ready.

During the session we will be covering the following:

• What scrutiny of published reports and feedback tell us of how governance is being judged  
• How inspectors are questioning governors and trustees
• Hints and tips on good practice to ensure preparedness for inspection 
  
  

Steve Barker

Steve brings over 30 years of experience in school and trust governance across all phases of education, combining national sector influence with hands-on leadership at board level.

As Judicium’s Governance Expertise and Partnership Lead, Steve plays a central role in shaping high-quality governance support for schools and trusts. A current Chair of Trustees in an academy trust, Chair of an infant school governing body, and Member of a ten-school multi-academy trust, he understands first-hand the realities and pressures facing boards today. He is a former Ofsted Lay Inspector and was appointed as a National Leader of Governance (NLG) and NLG Advocate by the National College for Teaching and Leadership. As part of a select national group, he helped develop and pilot the External Reviews of Governance programme, leading the first-ever review in 2013, and previously served on the Department for Education Advisory Group on Governance. A prolific writer and facilitator of governance training for over two decades, he supports boards nationwide through training, advisory work and thought leadership.