About the first edition: "School governors will find this a sound and practical guide to the nature of their responsibilities and the process of managing their workload. It is well researched, based on vast experience, illustrated from the best practice, free from jargon – and always interesting." Joan Sallis. Described by the National Association of Governors and Managers as "definitely a ‘must’ for your bookshelf"; reviewed in the Times Educational Supplement as an "essential guide to help governors". This book is about governing schools – about how a governing board made up largely of ‘ordinary’ people with no professional educational experience, working in partnership with professional leaders, can help to make schools better. It is intended for governors in schools in England and Wales, in other parts of the world where lay people engage in school leadership, and for people who work with governors. Improving School Governance examines: How school governors got to be where they are today How governing boards do their jobs How individual governors can best contribute to their schools Governors’ accountability The nature of governors’ meetings The rights that governors have The relationships between governors and the headteacher The role of governing boards in school inspection Governors’ relationships with parents and the wider community How to evaluate the performance and impact of governing boards What the future might hold for state-funded schools and their governance What national strategic issues will need to be addressed by governing boards in the next five to ten years