The challenges of school governance in the digital age

Governors Wales director Jane Morris looks at how the digital landscape and the introduction of the Digital Competence Framework has changed the role of school governors in Wales

The pace of change in digital technology is phenomenal. It’s hard to believe that just over 10 years ago Facebook was opened up to the general public and was very much the domain of a few early adopters.

The impact of this ever-evolving technology is huge within the education sector. Today teachers and pupils communicate via online learning systems, teaching materials are instantly accessible and even the youngest pupils swipe their way through lessons on iPads. It makes the learning environment much more connected.

As governors, how do we best support our schools on the Digital Competence Framework (DCF)? Can we provide the investment in the technology that will fit the basis of school communications and learning environment for years to come?

We must also be mindful of the digital divide which very much still exists. Not all our young people (or their parents) have access at home to smartphones, connected televisions or tablet devices. For many, their first exposure to these things may be at school. We must be sensitive and introduce the technology in a way that will excite young people and foster an environment where they crave new digital skills, while at the same time not putting them at risk.

Digital competence is so much more than just being able to use communications equipment – it’s about developing both the digital skills and understanding of our learners. We need to enable their confident, creative and critical use of technologies and systems, which is essential for learners if they are to be informed, capable and creative in today’s and tomorrow’s society. This is as important as developing their literacy and numeracy skills.

The DCF offers new ways of complementing and enhancing teaching methods, and redefines learning environments. It works best when it has buy-in across the whole school.

You only have to look at Estyn’s best practice example of Cornist Park Primary School in Flint, which has a team of pupil digital leaders, a governor with specific remit for e-safety and “e-cadets” across all age groups. Technology has most impact when it is embedded in this way.

Governors need to think about the wider context. We have a strategic role in school leadership and should assess the impact of digitalisation on learning and standards of achievement. We need to understand how it is linked to the school development/selfevaluation plans. We need to decide how best to support and evaluate the ongoing digital implementation, ensuring plans are in place for review and improvements. Perhaps most importantly how do we develop progression in our learners’ digital skills and awareness of online safety?

Governors are not expected to be digital experts but we need to develop our support, challenge and accountability roles. We must work in partnership with senior leaders to ensure we ask searching questions and seek further information and clarification when necessary in order to arrive at the best decisions.

Key questions can be asked about resources for the DCF and where the school sees the provision in the next five years. A crucial issue will be ensuring our teachers have (or are trained in) the necessary skills, knowledge and understanding. It will also be essential for governors to ensure safeguards are in place to protect pupils.

A good place to reflect on all of this is Estyn’s supplementary guidance on skills (2013) and the inspection of ICT in schools (Autumn 2016) and the Welsh Government’s Digital Competence Guidance. Every governing body should ensure its decisions improve all aspects of provision and that have the desired impact on improved outcomes for everyone in the school.

Schools use technology in very different ways and, indeed, many already use it innovatively. What’s important from a governance perspective is that it raises standards of achievemet, enhances the effectiveness of the governing body and its teaching staff, and it is not simply technology for technology’s sake.

Governors Wales is the voice of governors of schools in Wales, committed to promoting and developing highquality school governance across the country. Governors Wales’ annual conference in Connah’s Quay today will focus on the theme of governance in a digital age.