Governing Under Pressure: Navigating Complex and AI-Generated School Complaints in 2026

School complaints are growing in complexity, length and escalation, with AI tools now producing highly structured, policy-referenced submissions that can feel overwhelming for leaders and governors. At the same time, expectations around transparency and procedural rigour are higher than ever, and education remains one of the most complained-about sectors to the Ombudsman. For governing boards, the margin for error is shrinking. 

Senior leaders, governors and trustees are now operating in an environment where scrutiny is sharper, documentation is longer, and procedural missteps are more likely to be challenged. This session explores these trends, discusses good practice and provides guidance to strengthen your governance approach and lead with confidence under pressure.

During the session we will be covering the following:

• • • Understanding of the current landscape of complaints including their complexity, frequency and the advent of AI-generated complaints
    • Reflecting on good practice in investigating complaints
    • Sharing good practice on process and procedures for governors panel hearings

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.