Help to challenge

We are all aware that effective boards hold their executive leaders to account for improving pupil and staff performance by asking the right questions, but do we really understand if a question is providing challenge?

In terms of governance, challenge is about asking someone to prove or justify something by asking the right questions, but as not all questions will provide challenge what might the process really look like?

Following a discussion during the DAG Community Network for Clerks Forum, we have produced an example of a discussion that could take place in a governance meeting showing where challenge takes place and indicating to clerks and governors how this could be recorded and lead to evidence of school improvement through current and subsequent meetings.

Have a look at our new DAG Questions and Challenge Bubble and our DAG Busy Governors Guide to Challenge for more information on this important aspect of governance.