Welcome to the Governance Training & Development Programme for the 2025-26 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:
- Governance E-Learning
- Chairs’ Briefing
- Partnership Forums
- Training and Development Lead Briefings
- Governance Conference 2025
If you would like to discuss any aspects of the Programme further please contact the Governance Services Team on 01204 332116 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 2025
(In person) |
Module 1 – Thursday 9 October 2025 Module 2 – Monday 13 October 2025 |
10 am – 12 pm 10 am – 12 pm |
[ Further Information ] |
| Spring Term 2026
(In Person) |
Module 1 – Tuesday 24 February 2026 Module 2 – Tuesday 3 March 2026 |
5 pm – 7 pm 5 pm – 7 pm |
[ Further Information ] |
| Summer Term 2026
(In person) |
Module 1 – Thursday 18 June 2026 Module 2 – Thursday 25 June 2026 |
2 pm – 4 pm 2 pm – 4 pm |
[ Further Information ] |
| Pre-recorded Module 1
(Pre-Recorded Virtual Sessions) |
Released – Wednesday 1 April 2026 | Available from 12 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Pre-recorded Module 2
(Pre-Recorded Virtual Sessions) |
Released – Wednesday 1 April 2026 | Available from 12 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Leadership and Effective Chairing |
| Practical Chairing | |||
| Autumn Term 2025
(In Person) |
Thursday 13 November 2025 | 2pm – 4pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Pre-recorded
(Pre-Recorded Virtual Session) |
Released – Monday 2 March 2026 | Available from 12 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Strategic Chairing | |||
| Spring Term 2026
(In Person) |
Tuesday 20 January 2026 | 10am – 12pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Pre-recorded
(Pre-Recorded Virtual Session) |
Released – Monday 15 June 2026 | 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 | |||
| Spring Term 2026
(In person) |
Friday 6 February 2026 | 9.00 am – 12.30 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Induction, Retention and Succession Planning – Future Proofing Strategic Governance | |||
| Spring Term 2026
(In person) |
Wednesday 10 June 2026 | 5pm – 7 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Governance Visits & Monitoring Strategies | |||
| Autumn Term 2025
(In person) |
Wednesday 22 October 2025 | 10 am – 12 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Foundation for Effective Working – A Joint Session for New Chairs and/or New School Leaders | |||
| Autumn Term 2025
(In person) |
Wednesday 3 December 2025 | 2 pm – 4 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| School Complaints – What to do and not to do! Workshop for Heads and Governors New Course! | |||
| Spring Term 2026
(In person) |
Thursday 12 February 2026 | 2 pm – 4 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Working with your Designated Safeguarding Lead – A Joint Session for Safeguarding Lead and DSL New Course! | |||
| Spring Term 2026
(In person) |
Tuesday 24 March 2026 | 1 pm – 4.30 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Safeguarding and Human Resources |
| Safeguarding for Governors and Trustees New Course! | |||
| Autumn Term 2025
(Pre-Recorded Virtual Session) |
Released – Monday 15 September 2025 | Available from 12pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Spring Term 2026
(Pre-Recorded Virtual Session) |
Released – Monday 5 January 2026 | Available from 12pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Summer Term 2026
(Pre-Recorded Virtual Session) |
Released – Friday 1 May 2026 | Available from 12pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Introduction to Safer Recruitment & Selection: Module 1 | |||
| Autumn Term 2025
(Virtual Pre-Recorded Session) |
Released – Monday 6 October 2025 | Available from 12 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Spring Term 2026
(Virtual Pre-Recorded Session) |
Released – Monday 23 February 2026 | Available from 12 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Summer Term 2026
(Virtual Pre-Recorded Session) |
Released – Monday 18 May 2026 | Available from 12 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Safer Recruitment – Managing Allegations: Module 2 | |||
| Autumn Term 2025
(Virtual Pre-Recorded Session) |
Released – Monday 6 October 2025 | Available from 12 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Spring Term 2026
(Virtual Pre-Recorded Session) |
Released – Monday 23 February 2026 | Available from 12 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Summer Term 2026
(Virtual Pre-Recorded Session) |
Released – Monday 18 May 2026 | Available from 12 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Accredited Safer Recruitment: Module 3 | |||
| Autumn Term 2025
(In Person) |
Wednesday 15 October 2025 | 9 am – 4 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Spring Term 2026
(In Person) |
Wednesday 4 March 2026 | 9 am – 4 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Summer Term 2026
(In Person) |
Wednesday 3 June 2026 | 9 am – 4 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Accredited Safer Recruitment Refresher | |||
| Autumn Term 2025
(In Person) |
Thursday 17 November 2025 | 9 am – 12 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Spring Term 2026
(In Person) |
Wednesday 20 May 2026 | 9 am – 12 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Summer Term 2026
(In Person) |
Monday 6 July 2026 | 9 am – 12 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| People Matter (recruitment, staffing appeals, allegations and disciplinary) | |||
| Autumn Term 2025
(Virtual Pre-Recorded Session) |
Released – Monday 15September 2025 | Available from 12 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Spring Term 2026
(Virtual Pre-Recorded Session) |
Released – Monday 5 January 2026 | Available from 12 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Summer Term 2026
(Virtual Pre-Recorded Session) |
Released – Friday 1 May 2026 | 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 11 May 2026 | Available from 12 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Primary Data for School Improvement | |
| Session available on request – please contact Marie Foley on marie.foley@bolton.gov.uk | |
| Secondary Data for School Improvement | |
| Session available on request – please contact Marie Foley on marie.foley@bolton.gov.uk | |
| General Areas of Governance |
| Cyber Security and the Role of the Board | |||
| Spring Term 2026
(In Person) |
Wednesday 28 January 2026 | 5 pm – 7pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Summer Term 2026
(In Person) |
Tuesday 12 May 2026 | 10 am – 12 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Artificial Intelligence – Monitoring the use of AI in Schools New Course! | |||
| Autumn Term 2025
(In Person) |
Tuesday 4 November 2025 | 2 pm – 4 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Spring Term 2026
(In Person) |
Thursday 5 March 2026 | 5 pm – 7 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Health and Safety – The Role of the Board | |||
| Autumn Term 2025
(In Person) |
Tuesday 2 December 2025 | 10 am – 12.30 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Summer Term 2026
(In Person) |
Wednesday 29 April 2026 | 5 pm -7.30 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Ofsted & Governance – Preparing Your Board for Inspection New Course! | |||
| Autumn Term 2025
(In Person) |
Monday 24 November 2025 | 2 pm – 4 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Summer Term 2026
(In Person) |
Thursday 21 May 2026 | 5 pm – 7 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Monitoring the Mental Health and Wellbeing of Staff, Children and the Board | |||
| Spring Term 2026
(In Person) |
Wednesday 18 March 2026 | 2 pm – 4 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Effective Financial Management | |||
| Spring Term 2026
(In Person) |
Tuesday 10 February 2026 | 5 pm – 7 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Roles and Responsibilities – Governance Refresher | |||
| Autumn Term 2025
(Virtual Pre-Recorded Session) |
Released – Monday 3 November 2025 | Available from 12 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| The School Complaint Process for Schools and Academies | |||
| Autumn Term 2025
(Virtual Pre-Recorded Session) |
Released – Monday 15 September 2025 | Available from 12 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Spring Term 2026
(Virtual Pre-Recorded Session) |
Released – Monday 5 January 2026 | Available from 12 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Summer Term 2026
(Virtual Pre-Recorded Session) |
Released – Wednesday 1 April 2026 | Available from 12 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Academisation: Structures and Processes | |||
| Pre-recorded
(Virtual Pre-Recorded Session) |
Released – Monday 22 September 2025 | Available from 12 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Sustainability and Lowering the Carbon Footprint – The Board’s Accountability New Course! | |||
| Spring Term 2026
(In Person) |
Wednesday 4 February 2026 | 2 pm – 4 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Pupil Welfare and Inclusion |
| Attendance – Widening the Governance Lens | |||
| Pre-recorded
(Pre-Recorded Virtual Session) |
Released – Monday 10 November 2025 | Available from 12pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Summer Term 2026
(In Person) |
Thursday 11 June 2026 | 5 pm – 7 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Equality, Diversity and Inclusion – The Role of the Board | |||
| Spring Term 2026
(In Person) |
Wednesday 21 January 2026 | 10 am – 12 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Pre-recorded
(Pre-Recorded Virtual Session) |
Released – Wednesday 29 April 2026 | Available from 12pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Suspension & Exclusion Guidance – The Role of the Board | |||
| Autumn Term 2025
(Virtual Pre-Recorded Session) |
Released – Monday 15 September 2025 | Available from 12 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Spring Term 2026
(Virtual Pre-Recorded Session) |
Released – Monday 5 January 2026 | Available from 12 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Summer Term 2026
(Virtual Pre-Recorded Session) |
Released – Wednesday 1 April 2026 | Available from 12 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| A Guide to Bolton’s Achievement, Cohesion and Integration Service | |||
| Pre-recorded
(virtual Pre-Recorded Session) |
Released – Monday 15 June 2026 | Available from 12 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Education of Looked After Children and the Role of the Board | |||
| Pre-recorded
(Virtual Pre-Recorded Session) |
Released – Monday 24 November 2025 | Available from 12 pm | [ Further Information ] |
