Welcome to the Governance Training & Development Programme for the 2026-27 academic year. All courses can be viewed below under the specific learning headings and you may view the sessions available in date order via the Key Events page. All bookings may be made online by selecting ‘further information’ and completing the booking form for your chosen course. The Bolton Governance Services Team aims to provide a comprehensive series of centre-based training courses to equip governors to carry out their roles effectively and enable them to strategically lead their schools and academies. Whilst the majority of sessions are provided in person at the Bolton Science and Technology Centre, we offer a blended approach through virtual Teams events or pre-recorded video sessions.
For further information on additional services supported via the Governance Training and Development Programme , please select the following links:
If you would like to discuss any aspects of the Programme further please contact the Governance Services Team on 01204 332104 or via email at governance.services@bolton.gov.uk
| Free Online Training Sessions |
| Keeping Children Safe: Level 1 – General Safeguarding (external site) | [ Further Information ] |
| PREVENT – Online Training (external site) | [ Further Information ] |
| New to Governance |
| Governance Induction Programme | |||
| Autumn Term 2026
(In person) |
Module 1 – Thursday 1 October 2026 Module 2 – Thursday 8 October 2026 |
4pm – 6 pm 4pm – 6 pm |
[ Further Information ] |
| Spring Term 2027
(In Person) |
Module 1 -Wednesday 3 February 2027 Module 2 – Wednesday 10 February 2027 |
9.30am – 11.30 am 9.30am – 11.30 am |
[ Further Information ] |
| Summer Term 2027
(In person) |
Module 1 – Friday 25 June 2027 Module 2 – Friday 2 July 2027 |
9.30am – 11.30 am 9.30am – 11.30 am |
[ Further Information ] |
| Pre-recorded 2027
(Pre-Recorded Virtual Sessions) |
Released – Monday 12 April 2027 | Available from 12 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Leadership and Effective Chairing |
| Practical Chairing | |||
| Autumn Term 2026
(In Person) |
Wednesday 4 November 2026 | 4pm – 6pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Pre-recorded
(Pre-Recorded Virtual Session) |
Released – Monday 3 May 2027 | Available from 12 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Strategic Chairing | |||
| Spring Term 2027
(In Person) |
Tuesday 2 February 2027 | 4pm -6pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Pre-recorded
(Pre-Recorded Virtual Session) |
Released – Monday 7 June 2027 | Available from 12 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Governance Workshops |
Practical workshop sessions for self-reflection and sharing good practice.
| The Role of the SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disability) Governance Lead – Working with your SENCo | |||
| Summer Term 2027
(In person) |
Friday 23 April 2027 | 9.00 am – 12pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Induction, Retention and Succession Planning – Future Proofing Strategic Governance | |||
| Summer Term 2027
(In person) |
Wednesday 7 July 2027 | 9.30 am – 11.30 am | [ Further Information ] |
| Governance Visits & Monitoring Strategies New Course! | |||
| Autumn Term 2026
(In person) |
Friday 25 September 2026 | 10 am – 12 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Foundation for Effective Working – A Joint Session for New Chairs and/or New School Leaders | |||
| Autumn Term 2026
(In person) |
Monday 30 November 2026 | 2 pm – 4 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| School Complaints – What to do and not to do! Workshop for Heads and Governors | |||
| Spring Term 2027
(In person) |
Monday 18 January 2027 | 4 pm – 6 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Working with your Designated Safeguarding Lead – A Joint Session for Safeguarding Lead and DSL | |||
| Autumn Term 2026
(In person) |
Tuesday 20 October 2026 | 1 pm – 4 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Spring Term 2027
(In person)
|
Wednesday 10 March 2027 | 1 pm -4 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Safeguarding and Human Resources |
| Safeguarding for Governors and Trustees | |||
| Autumn Term 2026
(Pre-Recorded Virtual Session) |
Released – Tuesday 8 September 2026 | Available from 12pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Spring Term 2027
(Pre-Recorded Virtual Session) |
Released – Wednesday 6 January 2027 | Available from 12pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Summer Term 2027
(Pre-Recorded Virtual Session) |
Released – Monday 19 April 2027 | Available from 12pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Introduction to Safer Recruitment & Selection: Module 1 | |||
| Autumn Term 2026
(Virtual Pre-Recorded Session) |
Released – Monday 28 September 2026 | Available from 12 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Spring Term 2027
(Virtual Pre-Recorded Session) |
Released – Monday 1 March 2027 | Available from 12 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Summer Term 2027
(Virtual Pre-Recorded Session) |
Released – Monday 21 June 2027 | Available from 12 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Safer Recruitment – Managing Allegations: Module 2 | |||
| Autumn Term 2026
(Virtual Pre-Recorded Session) |
Released – Monday 28 September 2026 | Available from 12 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Spring Term 2027
(Virtual Pre-Recorded Session) |
Released – Monday 1 March 2027 | Available from 12 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Summer Term 2027
(Virtual Pre-Recorded Session) |
Released – Monday 21 June 2027 | Available from 12 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Accredited Safer Recruitment: Module 3 | |||
| Autumn Term 2026
(In Person) |
Wednesday 7 October 2026 | 9 am – 4 pm | Further Information ] |
| Spring Term 2027
(In Person) |
Monday 8 March 2027 | 9 am – 4 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Summer Term 2027
(In Person) |
Thursday 1 July 2027 | 9 am – 4 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Accredited Safer Recruitment Refresher | |||
| Autumn Term 2026
(In Person) |
Thursday 5 November 2026 | 9 am – 12 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Spring Term 2027
(In Person) |
Thursday 28 January 2027 | 9 am – 12 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Summer Term 2027
(In Person) |
Thursday 6 May 2027 | 9 am – 12 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| People Matter (recruitment, staffing appeals, allegations and disciplinary) | |||
| Autumn Term 2026
(Virtual Pre-Recorded Session) |
Released – Monday 8 September 2026 | Available from 12 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Spring Term 2027
(Virtual Pre-Recorded Session) |
Released – Wednesday 6 January 2027 | Available from 12 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Summer Term 2027
(Virtual Pre-Recorded Session) |
Released – Monday 19 April 2027 | Available from 12 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Keeping Children Safe – Level 1 (Online Course) | |||
| Online Course | Free Training provided in Partnership with Bolton College | Available anytime – Free of Charge | [ Further Information ] |
| PREVENT Duty (Online Course) | |||
| Online Course | Free Training provided by the UK Government Home Office | Available anytime – Free of Charge | [ Further Information ] |
| Teaching and Learning |
| Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and the Role of the Board | |||
| Pre-recorded
(Virtual Pre-Recorded Session) |
Released – Monday 22 March 2027 | Available from 12 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Using Data for School Improvement (Primary) New Course! | |||
| Autumn Term 2026
(In Person) |
Tuesday 6 October 2026 | 10 am- 12 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Spring Term 2027
(In Person) |
Tuesday 9 March 2027 | 5 pm – 7 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Secondary Data for School Improvement | |
| Session available on request – please contact Sarah Gore on Sarah.Gore@bolton.gov.uk | |
| General Areas of Governance |
| Artificial Intelligence – Empowering Education with AI | |||
| Summer Term 2027
(In Person) |
Wednesday 21 April 2027 | 5 pm – 7 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Cyber Security | |||
| Spring Term 2027
(In Person) |
Wednesday 3 February 2027 | 2 pm – 4 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Health and Safety – The Role of the Board | |||
| Summer Term 2027
(In Person) |
Thursday 27 May 2027 | 2 pm -4 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Ofsted & Governance – Preparing Your Board for Inspection New Course! | |||
| Autumn Term 2026
(In Person) |
Tuesday 17 November 2026 | 4 pm – 6 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Summer Term 2027
(In Person) |
Wednesday 28 April 2027 | 2 pm – 4 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Monitoring the Mental Health and Wellbeing of Staff, Children and the Board | |||
| Autumn Term 2026
(In Person) |
Monday 5 October 2026 | 10am – 12pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Effective Financial Management | |||
| Summer Term 2027
(In Person) |
Wednesday 16 June 2026 | 10 am – 12 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Governance Role in Financial and Risk management within an Academy Trust New Course! | |||
| Autumn Term 2026
(In Person) |
Thursday 26 November 2026 | 5 pm – 7 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Roles and Responsibilities – Governance Refresher | |||
| Autumn Term 2026
(Virtual Pre-Recorded Session) |
Released – Monday 28 September 2026 | Available from 12 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| The School Complaint Process for Schools and Academies | |||
| Autumn Term 2026
(Virtual Pre-Recorded Session) |
Released – Monday 8 September 2026 | Available from 12 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Spring Term 2027
(Virtual Pre-Recorded Session) |
Released – Monday 22 February 2027 | Available from 12 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Summer Term 2027
(Virtual Pre-Recorded Session) |
Released – Monday 19 April 2027 | Available from 12 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Academisation: Structures and Processes | |||
| Pre-recorded
(Virtual Pre-Recorded Session) |
Released – Tuesday 9 September 2026 | Available from 12 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Sustainability and Lowering the Carbon Footprint – The Board’s Accountability New Course! | |||
| Spring Term 2027
(In Person) |
Wednesday 20 January 2027 | 2 pm – 4 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Pupil Welfare and Inclusion |
| Monitoring Attendance – The Role of the Board New Course! | |||
| Autumn Term 2026
(In Person) |
Tuesday 7 October 2026 | 2pm – 3pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Attendance – Widening the Governance Lens | |||
| Spring Term 2027
(In Person) |
Tuesday 19 January 2027 | 5 pm – 7 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Summer Term 2027
(Virtual Pre-Recorded Session) |
Released – Monday 7 June 2025 | Available from 12pm | [ Further Information ] |
| SEND – Understanding the White Paper New Course! | |||
| Autumn Term 2026
(In Person) |
Wednesday 25 November 2026 | 5 pm – 7 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Equality, Diversity and Inclusion – The Role of the Board | |||
| Autumn Term 2026
(Virtual Pre-Recorded Session) |
Released – Monday 7 December 2026 | Available from 12pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Summer Term 2027
(In Person) |
Thursday 20 May 2027 | 2pm – 4 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| How to Ensure Your School is Inclusive New Course! | |||
| Spring Term 2027
(In Person) |
Tuesday 16 March 2027 | 10 am- 12 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Suspension & Exclusion Guidance – The Role of the Board | |||
| Autumn Term 2026
(Virtual Pre-Recorded Session) |
Released – Monday 8 September 2026 | Available from 12 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Spring Term 2027
(Virtual Pre-Recorded Session) |
Released – Wednesday 6 January 2027 | Available from 12 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Summer Term 2027
(Virtual Pre-Recorded Session) |
Released – Monday 19 April 2027 | Available from 12 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Virtual School Governance, including Looked After Children, those with a social worker New Course! | |||
| Autumn Term 2026
(In person) |
Thursday 12 November 2026 | 2pm – 4pm | [ Further Information ] |
