governance good practice guide

DfES review of governance in FE

Since 2002 the government has been undertaking a review of governance in the FE sector, with the aim of reforming the sector and establishing priorities for the future. The Department for Education and Skills (DfES) has consulted with the further education (FE) sector to ensure that governors and practitioners are in broad agreement with any changes that are proposed.

In late 2004, as part of its five-year strategy, the DfES commissioned Sir Andrew Foster to undertake a review of the future role of FE colleges - which clearly had implications for the government's review of governance in the sector.

Interim revised Instrument and Articles of Government (I&A) were issued in April 2006 to implement minor changes from May.

At the same time, the DfES issued a consultation paper on the I&A and the wider FE Governance Framework recommending further changes in 2007.

The DfES is currently carrying out wide consultations on its proposals aimed at implementing some of the recommendations made in the Foster Report and White Paper.

Consultation events were held in July 2006, and the opinions of governors and clerks were sought and analysed. These, combined with feedback from the Governance Advisory Group and Clerks' Advisory Group, have informed the response from the Association of Colleges (AoC) to the DfES.

Click here to view the DfES revised I&A April 2006 document, guidance on changes, and consultation paper for 2007.