About AGBIS
ABOUT AGBIS In the early 1940s the governing bodies of boys’ and girls’ “public” schools formed two associations. Their objects were to advance education in the independent sector by discussing matters of policy and practice, giving advice to schools in membership, considering their relationships with the wider educational community, and taking action as necessary in the interests of their members. The Governing Bodies Association (GBA) and The Governing Bodies of Girls’ Schools Association (GBGSA) remained true to these purposes into the new millennium. Having worked alongside for several decades, the two associations merged in June 2002 to form the Association of Governing Bodies of Independent Schools – AGBIS. Following the merger of the two Associations, there has been continuing progress in work to promote best practice in governance. AGBIS has in recent years welcomed a growing number of preparatory schools into membership and the number of governing bodies who benefit from membership steadily increases. Services Provided to Members (free unless shown) As the sole provider or in conjunction with others, the provision of training seminars countrywide for new and experienced Governors. ‘Guidelines for Governors’ a manual of good practice. Available free (from September 2011) in a .pdf version to Member schools. The guidelines is also available in a printed loose leaf format at a cost of £7 per copy for Member schools and £8 for Non-member schools, inclusive of postage and packing (except for certain overseas locations where postage will be charged at cost). An advisory service on all aspects of governing schools via telephone, email and the website. Supports for governing bodies that are in dispute with their Head’s association. Model contracts for Teachers, Heads and Bursars and other standard employment documents. Model documentation for governance. For participating schools, an annual survey of salaries and fringe benefits for Heads and Bursars. An e-Newsletter to keep governors informed on current topics of interest and/or concern. An e-Alert Service to keep governors informed on important and/or urgent issues On-site training for governing bodies (for a fee). Reviews of governance for schools (for a fee). Annual conference and AGM attended by representatives of member schools. Full support service for regional governors’ meetings. Legal and practical advice on new legislation affecting the work and responsibilities of governors. Maintaining a list of potential new governors. Individual telephone advice from the General Secretary. AGBIS is a registered charity (No 1108756) and company (No 0521716) limited by guarantee governed by a Board that meets at least once every school term. Board members are nominated by school governing bodies and serve initially for a three year period. The detailed work of the Board is carried out by three committees: Membership & Training, Education and Finance. The Board is entrusted with the management of the Association and has absolute discretion in applying the funds in furtherance of the objects of the Association. As one of eight associations comprising the Independent Schools Council (ISC), AGBIS has one seat on the Board a similar level of membership on relevant ISC committees. The General Secretary and the Training & Membership Secretary also meet informally with their opposite numbers in the associations that are in membership of the ISC. Membership application forms are available from the AGBIS Office and from the website. All membership applications are scrutinised by the Membership Committee and their recommendations are considered by the Board. The General Secretary has day-to-day responsibility for the efficient running of the Association and is supported by a part-time Training & Membership Secretary, a full-time Office Manager/PA and a full-time Communications Manager. Strict data protection rules are applied to this database of email addresses and they are only authorised for use within AGBIS. The work of the AGBIS office is overseen by a Board of school governors who are representatives elected by the member school. 
AGBIS supports and advises governing bodies of schools in the independent sector on all aspects of governance, under the umbrella of the Independent Schools Council. The objects of the Association are the advancement of education in independent schools and the promotion of good governance in such schools. The Association is empowered to give guidance to the governing bodies, and to consult with and speak for them on matters relating to the governance of independent schools.
The governing bodies of schools whose Heads belong to HMC (the Headmasters and Headmistresses Conference), the Girls’ Schools Association (GSA), and the Society of Heads of Independent Schools (SHMIS) are all members of AGBIS. Full Membership is also open to other schools accredited to ISC provided they are charities. Associate Membership is available to ISC schools that are not charities as well as to certain schools in membership of the Scottish Council of Independent Schools (SCIS) and the Welsh Independent Schools Council (WISC).
The school is the member of AGBIS and all formal communication is via the nominated contact, normally the Clerk of the Governors. However, great importance is placed on concurrent communication with all governors at these schools[1]. To this end governors are encouraged to register with the Communication Manager at the AGBIS Office (comms@agbis.org.uk) and provide their email address. Alternatively they can register via the AGBIS website (www.agbis.org.uk). Once registered, governors will receive e-Newsletters, e-Alerts and other topical information made available to member schools.
Click here to read more about the AGBIS Staff and Board. [1]. It is estimated there are at least 10,000 governors in our member schools.
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