TRAINING & CONSULTANCY

Board Development

Professional development sessions for trust boards

These high quality sessions are designed to provide academy trust boards with the space to reflect strategically on the current context for trusts and the education sector more widely, whilst also considering their own role and the characteristics of ‘thriving boards’ in more depth. It makes for an ideal annual training and development session for boards – presenting an opportunity for new insights and learning, together with the space to engage in focused reflection and discussion as a board.

 

Led and carefully facilitated by Michael Pain, founder of national strategy organisation Forum Strategy and author of Being The CEO and the ‘Thriving Boards’ Thinkpiece (written together with international governance expert, Patrick Dunne), this four hour training session covers a range of issues including:

– the current policy, social, and economic context within which trusts are operating, and the implications for strategy;
– the emerging characteristics of ‘thriving’ trusts;
– the distinct role of trustees and the key characteristics of high performing boards;
– the relationship between different levels of governance, including local governing committees and members;
– the role of ethics and ethical governance, and some of the key pitfalls that boards can experience

The session is run in such a way as to provide a balance between input and insight, together with opportunities for boards to discuss and reflect upon their own ways of working, growth, and development. Indeed, to help inform this conversation, Forum Strategy also provides a board self-review tool for trustees to complete before the session, supporting the opportunities for reflection and understanding strengths and weaknesses as they are perceived by the board itself.

“Michael’s session with the Trust Board was instrumental in bringing together trustees to facilitate an alignment of thinking and shared purpose.  At a time when the education landscape feels complex and challenging, Michael was able to help us focus on what matters most and importantly, how we might achieve this. The session was interactive, provided an evidence base for future decision making and ensured everyone was engaged.” Rob Carpenter, CEO, Inspire Partnership Trust

To express your interest in booking a session with Michael, please contact admin@forumstrategy.org


FACILITATOR BIOGRAPHY

Michael Pain, Founder – Forum Strategy

Michael Pain is the founder of Forum Strategy and an entrepreneur, overseeing the development of successful businesses and a national network of well over one hundred Chief Executives. He is a long-standing strategic adviser to CEOs and Chairs, a qualified executive coach (Henley Business School), and author of the acclaimed book: ‘Being The CEO‘. In 2021, The Being The CEO framework was endorsed and published as the template job description for academy trust CEOs by the National Governance Association. Michael was Called to the Bar at Lincoln’s Inn in 2007. He is also a shareholder of Satis Education, a sector-leading executive recruitment organisation.

Visioning and Strategy Development Days

Forum Strategy delivers this one day event for trustees and executives in order to reflect on contextual wisdom – drawing on key social, economic, educational, and demographic trends – to refine their vision and to set strategy across the Trust. As well as providing a rich analysis of research and key trends, Forum Strategy enables trustees and executives to work together to reflect on their own growth and development within that context – and to undertake a number of activities in order to set strategy in response. We also provide an overview of key education and trust sector developments; drawing on analysis of successes and failures across the system – as well as identifying examples of new and innovative practices that contribute to sustained organisational success.

These days provide a rich mix of high quality professional development; practical activities that inform strategy; and a written summary of the event.

For more information on how to access a visioning and strategy development day for your trust board and executives, please email admin@forumstrategy.org 

“Thank you Forum Strategy for supporting us through today, I am so excited about what comes next. The feedback on the event has been fantastic… I think we will look back on this as a significant turning point for the Trust.”

Chair of Trustees of a Multi-Academy Trust

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Strategy Development Sessions

Forum Strategy delivers this half day session for Trust Boards and executive teams to guide the shaping of a Trust wide strategy to drive equality, diversity and inclusion across the organisation. Drawing on the expertise of our partner organisations, the latest research and intelligence on EDI issues (including but not limited to our national report on diversity amongst CEOs) and sharing good practice from within the education sector and beyond, we provide the opportunity for open and honest dialogue and support Trusts to set some realistic, measurable objectives that align with their overall vision and strategy. We broadly explore the following (but tailor content depending upon where the Trust is currently up to with the work):

  • Legal obligations and considerations (including the Equality Act 2010 and it’s implications at Trust level)
  • Strategic aspects (how the work will enable the delivery of wider objectives for the Trust)
  • Uncover challenges and guide honest, open and respectful discussions
  • Setting of objectives that meet strategic aims and are realistic, measurable and time specific
  • Resources and skills/knowledge analysis (exploring gaps that may need to be addressed)

For more information on how to access an EDI strategy development session for your trust board and executives, please email admin@forumstrategy.org

“This high quality, bespoke training provided Trustees and leaders with a shared understanding and starting point from which to develop the aims, objectives and measures for our EDI strategy. We have since appointed a Lead EDI role to drive our EDI strategy across the Trust and leaders are fully committed to prioritising and empowering developments in this vital area”

Jayne Foster

CEO, Ethos Academy Trust

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If you are interested in any of the services listed contact us for a full consultation.

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