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 next millennium. Having worked alongside each other 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.