NGA’s Annual Governance Survey 2024

The National Governance Association (NGA) has just published its latest report on governance. The Annual Governance Survey of over 3000 governors and trustees provides a snapshot of school governance in England.

The main challenges for boards include balancing the budget, attendance and staff recruitment, the survey also found that:

• Only 19% of schools and trusts perceive themselves as financially sustainable in the medium to long term
• 39% of respondents overall report that their finances have been impacted by falling pupil numbers
• 59% report reducing teaching or cutting certain subjects due to budget constraints
• 49% of respondents agree that the condition of their school buildings negatively impacts the learning environment
• There has been a 4% increase in respondents who are considering resigning from their governance role (30%) compared to 2023
• 76% report difficulty in recruiting governors and trustees.

Sam Henson, Deputy CEO of the NGA, commented on the findings:

“The result of this survey paints a stark picture of an education system under relentless strain. We’re witnessing the far-reaching impact of financial pressures across every facet of education, where almost nothing now remains untouched – from curriculum to wellbeing, SEND provision to sustainability. Yet, in the face of these monumental challenges, the unwavering dedication of our governors and trustees shines through. Their commitment to providing the best possible education for all pupils, despite dwindling resources, is both deeply inspiring and a urgent call to action. It’s clear that without immediate, systemic reforms and significant investment in our schools, we risk failing a generation of children. We now have a new government and we hope as they take in these findings, they conclude the time for decisive action is now.”