Speakers: Virginia Parkes, Director of Learning and Professional Development, AGBIS; Laura Chesham, Partner, VWV

Cost: £120

What’s it all about? 

During this practical session we will review the legal and regulatory duties of school governors, as charity trustees, in the context of "serious incident reporting" to the Charity Commission for England and Wales.  We will review what amounts to a "serious incident", consider the requirement to report, the timing of making such a report and who can do so on the charity's behalf.  We will also consider the role of the Commission as regulator as well as review various case studies to bring the subject to life.

Speakers: Virginia Parkes, Director of Learning and Professional Development, AGBIS; Dale Walmsley. Partner, First Actuarial

Cost: £60

What’s it all about? 

Pensions can be a minefield. The costs and expectations of pensions are often misunderstood, requiring specialist knowledge to demystify them.  This session will separate the facts from the misconceptions. 

Learning outcomes: 

• A better understanding of pensions. 
• How greater knowledge can be used positively to inform decisions on pension strategy. 

Training session:

• First Actuarial offer governing bodies a complimentary 30-minute pensions training session, providing governors with a clear and accessible overview of key pension issues.
• Delivered by experienced pensions professionals, our training is designed to support informed decision-making and strengthen governance.

Speakers: Virginia Parkes, Director of Learning and Professional Development, AGBIS; Sarah McKimm, author of A Practical Guide to the Independent School Standards

Cost: £60

What’s it all about? 

Recruitment and selection procedures in schools are essential for safeguarding and highly regulated. This training session aims to introduce independent school governors to key concepts needed to equip them for the governance of recruitment in schools.

The session is aimed at governors who are new to this topic.

Speakers: Virginia Parkes, Director of Learning and Professional Development, AGBIS, Maria Strauss, Partner, Farrer & Co and Scott McGrory, Associate, Farrer & Co

Cost: £60

What’s it all about? 

With numbers of parental complaints trending upwards, this is an opportune time to reflect on the parent-school relationship.

We are delighted to have Maria Strauss, Partner and Scott McGrory Associate from Farrer & Co joining us for a webinar which will focus on the handling of complaints and the role Governors play throughout and particularly when they are asked to be a panel member at the Stage 3 part of the Complaints Process.

Maria and Scott will explore a number of topics including: managing parental expectations, strategies to de-escalate potential complaints and, where complaints cannot be avoided despite all efforts, best practice in the handling of formal complaints.

Speakers: Richard Harman, Chief Executive, AGBIS; Virginia Parkes, Director of Learning and Professional Development, AGBIS; David Woodgate, CEO, ISBA

Cost: £120

What’s it all about? 

Join us for this essential webinar designed specifically for new governors.

Whether you're just starting out or looking to build confidence in your role, this session will equip you with the knowledge and tools to make a real impact from day one.

Speaker: Laura Knight, Founder and CEO, Sapio

Cost: £90

What’s it all about? 

Artificial intelligence is entering the space of governance in quiet but significant ways. It can influence and support how boards interpret information, shape policy, and plan for the future. For clerks and governors, the challenge is to stay literate, curious, and in control; ensuring that the technology serves sound leadership and good judgement, not the other way around.

This means developing the capacity to ask sharper questions about strategy, risk, and impact. Boards must understand how AI affects data privacy, safeguarding, and compliance, and how to hold vendors and leaders to account for transparency and ethical use. Clerks, meanwhile, are at the forefront of managing this change - supporting policy drafting, minute-taking, and documentation in ways that remain efficient yet authentic and accountable.

AI also opens opportunities to strengthen strategic insight. Used with care and good judgement, it can help boards interpret complex evidence, identify trends, and make decisions grounded in sound data and strong values. But above all, governors and clerks are stewards of public trust. Their leadership will determine how confidently and responsibly schools navigate the next wave of technological change.

In this practical webinar, Laura Knight, Founder and CEO of Sapio, will explore how AI can strengthen the leadership contribution of governance teams; supporting policy development, horizon scanning, strategic planning, and evidence-informed decision-making. Participants will see practical demonstrations of tools for policy work, briefing preparation, and meeting administration, as well as guidance on ethical safeguards and board-level confidence building. They will leave with clear next steps for responsible experimentation and a stronger sense of how AI can elevate governance practice.

Who is this webinar for?

Designed for clerks, governance professionals, bursars, and trustees who want to play a leading role in shaping their organisation’s AI readiness and strategic direction.

About the presenter:

Laura Knight is the Founder and CEO of Sapio, a consultancy helping schools and education organisations lead with confidence in the age of AI. A former teacher, leader, and digital strategist, she now advises governing bodies,  schools and trusts, edtech companies and universities on how to harness emerging technologies responsibly and strategically. Laura is a Fellow of both the RSA and the Chartered College of Teaching, a published author with Sage, and a regular keynote speaker for associations including the Society of Heads, HMC, ISA, and COBIS. Her work is known for its clarity, integrity, and practical insight into what leadership looks like when technology meets human purpose.

Speaker: Dr John Newton, Mentor | Researcher | Consultant | Workshop Speaker I Podcaster I Trilingual former CEO

Cost: £90

What’s it all about? 

In this first session, we will be defining the problem:

• The definition of the school’s mission and values – who are we and what are we here for? 
• What are the negotiables and non-negotiables? 
• Share the precise challenges faced by the school 
• Discuss what that means for sustaining the essential and unique character of the school 

Speakers: Richard Harman, Chief Executive, AGBIS; Alex Mitchell, Head of Consultancy, AGBIS

Cost: £60

What’s it all about? 

Independent school governing bodies often include professionals from a wide range of backgrounds - finance, law, business, and beyond - whose expertise adds significant value to strategic oversight. However, understanding the core principles of education, pedagogy and school leadership is essential for effective governance.

This webinar is designed to give non-educationalist governors a clear, accessible introduction to key educational concepts, structures and terminology. We’ll explore what outstanding teaching and learning looks like, how schools measure progress and outcomes, and the critical relationship between educational strategy and whole-school performance. Ideal for new governors or those looking to deepen their understanding of the educational landscape.

Speakers: Laura Marshall, Senior Associate, HCR Law, Kate Shields, Associate (FCILEx), HCR Law

Cost: £60

What’s it all about? 

This essential session, chaired by Virginia Parkes, Director of Learning and Professional Development at AGBIS, provides school governors with a clear and accessible introduction to Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Designed for those new to SEND or seeking to strengthen their understanding, the session will equip you with the knowledge and confidence to support inclusive, high-quality education for all pupils.

You’ll gain a high-level understanding of:

• What constitutes Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in schools

• The key legal framework, including statutory duties and your responsibilities as a governor

• What an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) is – and how it supports pupils

• The educational, emotional, and social challenges faced by pupils with SEND

• Practical strategies and insightful questions governors can use during school visits and monitoring to ensure effective provision and compliance

What’s it all about? 

Join us for our upcoming webinar on Inspection Readiness, designed specifically for governors of independent schools. This practical and informative session will equip you with everything you need to know about ISI inspections - from understanding the latest framework and compliance requirements to knowing your role as a governor before, during and after an inspection. Whether you are new to governance or an experienced governor looking for a refresher, this webinar will provide clear guidance, real-world examples, and actionable tips to ensure your governing body is fully prepared to support your school with confidence.

Speakers: Tom Beardmore-Gray, Warden at Bradfield College; Barney Northover, Partner at VWV

Cost: £90

What’s it all about? 

As financial pressures, demographic shifts and strategic realignments continue to reshape the independent education sector, mergers and acquisitions (M&A) are becoming an increasingly common route for schools seeking long-term sustainability.

You will come away with an understanding of:

• The key drivers behind school mergers and acquisitions in the independent sector
• The opportunities, risks, and challenges that M&A presents for schools
• The legal, financial, and reputational considerations governors must navigate during M&A processes

Speaker: Johan Jensen, Founder and Director, All-in Education

Cost: £60

What’s it all about? 

This session is specifically for Chairs of Governors. It will explore how chairs can lead inclusive boards, shape a more intentional approach to recruitment, and create the conditions for more diverse perspectives around the table. The session will also reflect on AGBIS’s 'Trust but Verify' principle, helping Chairs think about how to support school leaders in their EDI work while still holding them to account in a constructive and informed way.

Speakers: Virginia Parkes, Director of Learning and Professional Development at AGBIS; Rachel Gwynne, Partner, Head of Charities and Not-for-Profit at HCR Law

Cost: £60

What’s it all about? 

This practical seminar offers a clear and accessible introduction to charity law for school governors, focusing on everything you need to know in your role as a Trustee. Whether you're new to governance or looking to refresh your knowledge, this session will guide you through the key responsibilities and legal obligations that come with charitable status.

We’ll explore the latest Charity Commission guidance (and OSCR guidance for those in Scotland), covering crucial topics such as compliance, accountability and delivering public benefit.

In this session, we will cover:

• What does it mean to be a charity (including the public benefit test)
• What is a charity trustee
• The 6 core duties and responsibilities of a charity trustee (including conflicts of interest and collective decision making)
• The Charity Commission – Regulator, Registrar and Guidance

Speakers: Virginia Parkes, Director of Learning and Professional Development, AGBIS; Harriet Broughton, Partner, Stone King; Adam McRae-Taylor, Senior Associate, Stone King; Charlotte Melhuish, Partner, Stone King

Cost: £60

What’s it all about? 

We will delve into the key legal and regulatory responsibilities of trustees, with a focus on fostering a positive and proactive school culture. Participants will explore practical strategies for promoting a healthy environment and learn how to effectively evaluate and monitor its impact.

The session will also address approaches to managing safeguarding crises, offering insight into best practices when urgent issues arise.

A range of critical perspectives will be considered, including pupil welfare, staff conduct, disciplinary procedures, governance, serious incident reporting, and the development of a clear and responsive communications plan.