governance good practice guide

board self-assessment

introduction

This section illustrates the importance of self-assessment within a governing board, which is an integral part of college self-assessment.

excellence begins in the boardroom

The performance of a board has a direct impact on the performance of the organisation.

The governing board leads the organisation in terms of values, ethos and strategic approach. If it does not believe in excellence, it is unlikely that the organisation will achieve it.

There are a variety of frameworks and approaches that are used for self-assessment.

This website helps to clarify some of the issues and stimulate ideas for the self-assessment of further education governing boards.

why should excellence begin in the boardroom?

The college self-assessment and improvement process must be led and managed effectively – and should be an integral part of leadership, management and governance.

Systematic and robust self-assessment and improvement of performance by the governing board, governors and managers is indicative of leadership by example and such senior post holders have a key role to play in the process throughout the college.

A self-assessing governing board seeks and listens to feedback from customers and staff on its performance, to reflect, assess strengths and weaknesses and develop actions for improvement.

In this way, the board models the quality improvement ethos for the organisation and leads by example.