Buckinghamshire Council Resources

New Headteacher and Governor Handbook

Buckinghamshire Council publishes an annual Headteacher and Governor Handbook which provides important information for school leaders and governors.

The handbook contains information on:

• The statutory role of the Local Authority
• The Side by Side approach to school improvement
• Key Buckinghamshire Council services available to schools
• School improvement and inclusion support
• Safeguarding services
• Governance support and training
• Contact details for council services

The latest version of the handbook can be accessed via SchoolsWeb and should be used as a key reference document throughout your term of office.

View the Headteacher and Governor Handbook. 

Buckinghamshire New Governor Welcome Package

We are committed to ensuring that newly appointed governors develop the knowledge and confidence needed to become effective board members as quickly as possible.

Buckinghamshire Council offers a structured Governor Development Programme, which provides a clear pathway for governors from induction through to advanced governance leadership.

All new governors are encouraged to complete the following training during their first year of appointment:

Additional specialist pathways are available for:

• Chairs and Vice Chairs
• Safeguarding Governors
• Finance Governors
• SEND and Inclusion Governors
• Curriculum Governors
• Attendance, Behaviour and Exclusions Governors
• Health and Safety Governors
• Governors serving on Panels
• Clerks and Governance Professionals

Governors can attend individual courses or access training through their school's governor training package.

For the latest course information and booking details, visit the Governor Training page.

Priorities Briefings for Chairs and Clerks

Buckinghamshire Council holds termly Priorities Briefings for Chairs of Governors and Clerks. These sessions provide governors with updates on:

• Local and national education developments
• School improvement priorities
• Legislative and policy changes
• Children's Services priorities
• Governance developments

The briefings also provide an opportunity to ask questions and hear directly from senior local authority officers and education leaders.

2026/27 Briefing Dates

• 22 September 2026
• 19 January 2027
• 11 May 2027

Briefing dates and joining information are circulated through SchoolsWeb newsletters and published within the Governor Zone.

Child Protection

The statutory guidance Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) places specific responsibilities on governing boards and academy trusts.

As a new governor, reading this guidance and understanding your safeguarding responsibilities should be one of your first priorities. Governing boards must ensure that their school has effective safeguarding policies, procedures and training in place that reflect statutory guidance, local safeguarding arrangements and the needs of the children they serve.

Governors play a key role in ensuring that safeguarding remains a strategic priority. This includes monitoring safeguarding arrangements, understanding local risks, ensuring appropriate staff training is in place and providing constructive challenge and support to school leaders.

Buckinghamshire Council provides a range of safeguarding resources and training opportunities to support governors in carrying out these responsibilities.

Safeguarding Resources

• Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 
• Buckinghamshire Safeguarding Toolkit 
• Governor Safeguarding Resources and Checklist