Solihull College & University Centre recently held its first Governors’ Development Day of the academic year, during which they were privileged to welcome Further Education (FE) Commissioner, Shelagh Legrave CBE DL, who delivered an insightful session on “Effective Governance Across the FE Landscape.”
The day began with a welcome talk from Chair of Governors, Barbara Hughes, who emphasised the importance of the College’s mission and the vital role governance plays in ensuring success. She highlighted the contributions of the College’s dedicated Board of Governors, including several newly appointed members attending for the first time.
Barbara shares: “The insights from FE Commissioner Shelagh Legrave have been incredibly valuable, and I’m proud of the dedication and expertise within our Board. Together, we’re committed to driving the College forward and ensuring we continue to provide exceptional opportunities for our students.”
During her keynote, Shelagh Legrave spoke about the key features of successful governance within FE colleges. She shared her expertise on how effective governance can support high-performing institutions, holding senior leadership to account, while also addressing the challenges faced by colleges. Ms Legrave offered practical advice on best practices for ensuring good governance, including the importance of leadership and diversity in management, governance, and teaching teams.
The session also explored how innovations such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) can help governors make better decisions, streamline operational costs, and improve board representation. Ms Legrave stressed the importance of fostering a culture of diverse thinking, avoiding the risks of “echo chambers” and ensuring that governors are outward-looking in their approach to college oversight.
Governors actively participated throughout the day, asking questions on a range of topics including Ofsted inspections, government priorities, and the role of governors in supporting successful teaching and apprenticeship programmes.
The College is fortunate to have an enthusiastic and committed Board of Governors, and this development day further strengthened the expertise and focus of the group. The insights shared will guide the Board’s ongoing efforts to ensure Solihull College & University Centre continues to excel in providing high-quality education and training for all its students.
