BESPOKE COURSES: What they are and how to book one 

What are bespoke courses?
 
Bespoke courses are provided by Wakefield LEA (Local Education Authority) at the request of an individual governing body or group of governing bodies.
 
There are many advantages to be gained from arranging a bespoke course:

• the session will be held at the school concerned on a date and at a time which are mutually convenient;
• it will be tailored to meet the particular needs of the individual governing body;
• it will address a topic of interest to that particular governing body;
• it may help the governors to tackle a problem or issue of concern to them;
• in addition to having greater relevance to the work of individual governing bodies, it can also be very valuable in developing teamwork; and it can enable the staff of the school to be involved and work with governors where this is appropriate.

How much do bespoke courses cost?
 
The charge for a bespoke course is £36 per hour, with a minimum charge of £36, provided the governing body has subscribed to the LEA's governor training services. For non-subscribers, the charge is £320 per hour, with a minimum charge of £320.
 
The charges can be split between governing bodies if more than one receives the training. Premises and refreshment costs are met by the school(s).
 
For governing bodies which have subscribed to its governor training services, the LEA will also provide one bespoke pyramid course for governors without additional charge, on request.
 
Newly-formed governing bodies are also entitled to an individual bespoke course, without additional charge, during their first year in existence.
 
How do I arrange a bespoke course?
 
To arrange a bespoke course, ask your governing body's Training Link Governor (TLG) to contact David Bowen (Tel: 01924 305501). Please remember that arranging a course can take time and allow several weeks for all the arrangements to be made.
 
The LEA can assist governing bodies to organise courses for groups of schools in their pyramid.
 
It is helpful if the TLG can provide certain information when he/she asks for a course:

• name of TLG or other contact person;
  name(s) of the governing body or governing bodies involved;
• type of training requested; e.g., a training session of approximately two hours or an information riefing of no longer than one hour;
• topic/theme of the training and any shared expectations of the governing body and headteacher;
• arrangements for venue, times, refreshments;
  possible dates;
• booking arrangements for governors;
  any non-governors to be invited, e.g., staff and/or clerk; and
• any special requirements to be considered.
  Where help is needed to contact other governing bodies to seek their participation in a training event, TLGs should contact David Bowen (Tel: 01924 305501).

What courses are available?
 
The LEA will do its best to provide a course on any topic requested by the governing body.
 
In most cases, though, bespoke courses are based on courses offered in the LEA's programme of governor training (which is published on this website).
 
In addition, there are some topics which are not offered as programme courses but which are particularly suitable as bespoke courses. The main examples are "Roles and Responsibilities", which includes an element of governing body self-review, and "Effective Committees".
 
Here are some of the courses which schools have found particularly useful, recently:

• The Roles and Responsibilities of Governors;
  Taming your PANDA (understanding the data for your school);
• Monitoring and Evaluating the Work of the School;
• Individual School Self-review;
• Preparing for Inspection;
• Effective Committees;
• The Role of the Curriculum Link Governor;
  Planning to meet Special Educational Needs.