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
(In Person) |
Module 1 – Module 2 – |
5 pm – 7 pm 5 pm – 7 pm |
[ Further Information ] |
| Summer Term
(In person) |
Module 1 – Module 2 – |
2 pm – 4 pm 2 pm – 4 pm |
[ Further Information ] |
| Pre-recorded Module 1
(Pre-Recorded Virtual Sessions) |
Released – | Available from 12 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Pre-recorded Module 2
(Pre-Recorded Virtual Sessions) |
Released – | 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 – | Available from 12 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Strategic Chairing | |||
| Spring Term
(In Person) |
10am – 12pm | [ Further Information ] | |
| Pre-recorded
(Pre-Recorded Virtual Session) |
Released – | 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
(In person) |
9.00 am – 12.30 pm | [ Further Information ] | |
| Induction, Retention and Succession Planning – Future Proofing Strategic Governance | |||
| Spring Term
(In person) |
5pm – 7 pm | [ 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
(In person) |
2 pm – 4 pm | [ Further Information ] | |
| Working with your Designated Safeguarding Lead – A Joint Session for Safeguarding Lead and DSL New Course! | |||
| Autumn Term 2026
(In person) |
Tuesday 20 October 2026 | 1 pm – 4 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Spring Term
(In person)
|
3pm -5pm | [ 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
(Pre-Recorded Virtual Session) |
Released – | Available from 12pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Summer Term
(Pre-Recorded Virtual Session) |
Released – | 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
(Virtual Pre-Recorded Session) |
Released – | Available from 12 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Summer Term
(Virtual Pre-Recorded Session) |
Released – | 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
(Virtual Pre-Recorded Session) |
Released – | Available from 12 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Summer Term
(Virtual Pre-Recorded Session) |
Released – | Available from 12 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Accredited Safer Recruitment: Module 3 | |||
| Autumn Term
(In Person) |
Wednesday 7 October 2026 | 9 am – 4 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Spring Term
(In Person) |
9 am – 4 pm | [ Further Information ] | |
| Summer Term
(In Person) |
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
(In Person) |
9 am – 12 pm | [ Further Information ] | |
| Summer Term
(In Person) |
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
(Virtual Pre-Recorded Session) |
Released – | Available from 12 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Summer Term
(Virtual Pre-Recorded Session) |
Released – | 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 – Wednesday 11 November 2026 | Available from 12 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Using Data for School Improvement (Primary) | |||
| Autumn Term 2026
(In Person) |
Tuesday 6 October 2026 | 10- 12 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 |
| Cyber Security and the Role of the Board | |||
| Spring Term
(In Person) |
5 pm – 7pm | [ Further Information ] | |
| Summer Term
(In Person) |
10 am – 12 pm | [ Further Information ] | |
| Artificial Intelligence – Monitoring the use of AI in Schools New Course! | |||
| Autumn Term
(In Person) |
2 pm – 4 pm | [ Further Information ] | |
| Spring Term
(In Person) |
5 pm – 7 pm | [ Further Information ] | |
| Health and Safety – The Role of the Board | |||
| Autumn Term
(In Person) |
10 am – 12.30 pm | [ Further Information ] | |
| Summer Term
(In Person) |
5 pm -7.30 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
(In Person) |
5 pm – 7 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 | |||
| Spring Term
(In Person) |
5 pm – 7 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
(Virtual Pre-Recorded Session) |
Released – | Available from 12 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Summer Term
(Virtual Pre-Recorded Session) |
Released – | 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
(In Person) |
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 | |||
| Pre-recorded
(Pre-Recorded Virtual Session) |
Released – | Available from 12pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Summer Term
(In Person) |
5 pm – 7 pm | [ 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) |
Monday 7 December 2026 | Available from 12pm | [ 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
(Virtual Pre-Recorded Session) |
Released – | Available from 12 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Summer Term
(Virtual Pre-Recorded Session) |
Released – | Available from 12 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| A Guide to Bolton’s Achievement, Cohesion and Integration Service | |||
| Pre-recorded
(virtual Pre-Recorded Session) |
Released – | Available from 12 pm | [ Further Information ] |
| Virtual School Governance, including Looked After Children, those with a social worker and Elective Home Education New Course! | |||
| Autumn Term 2026
(In person) |
Thursday 12 November 2026 | 2pm – 4pm | [ Further Information ] |
