Welcome to

GLM Partnership

Governance, leadership and management … achieving excellence in schools and academies.

Governor Mark

Governor Mark is a national award. It is a quality mark which provides external evaluation of the quality of governance in schools and academies.

Governor Mark identifies national standards for good governance.

Governor Mark was developed to recognise the difference governing boards make to school and academy leadership and management. It is a mechanism to achieve accreditation against an agreed quality standard. There are many evaluation tools available which focus on process and actions, but Governor Mark is the only quality assessment process that clearly identifies the IMPACT of the governing board ON SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT AND OUTCOMES for children and young people.

Recent News

Governor Mark has been operating as a mechanism for governing boards to self-evaluate against grade descriptors for more than a decade. Hundreds of schools have undertaken the self-evaluation and proceeded to assessment and accreditation whilst a great many more have used the standards document as reflection and self-evaluation.

An independent research project undertaken by Nottingham University confirmed our belief in the unique nature of this process which focuses on the impact of the work of governing boards rather than their structures and organisation.

It is therefore with regret that we are announcing that no further assessments will be undertaken after the 31^{st of} August 2022. Schools, Academies and MATs will be able to display their successful assessment certificates for a period of three years from the date of assessment. We will also ensure that the standards document against which governing boards can evaluate their work and impact will remain freely available.

The governance landscape has changed significantly since the inception of Governor Mark and work has been continual to ensure that the process remains relevant and challenging. The pandemic has affected all schools over the past two years and the focus of governing boards and trust boards has rightly been on securing the delivery of education and the wellbeing of staff and pupils and as a result, the demand for Governor Mark has reduced.

We thank you for your interest and commitment to effective governance and wish you all every success in your work to ensure the best possible outcomes for the children in your care.

What people have said

“Thank you for feedback report and letter. These will go to the next Board meeting so that governors can reflect on what actions are needed to address the suggested improvements.”

“On behalf of the governors I would like to thank you for the rigorous and professional way that the whole process was conducted and the detailed feedback which will help shape our future planning.”

“The whole process was very enlightening. Firstly, our meetings are now a lot more structured around the actions we can take to have a positive impact. It was also an excellent opportunity to assess our ways of working, strengthen our procedures, highlight our strengths and weaknesses and discover what we can do to move forward as an effective, cohesive governing board.”