Governance Reviews provide an objective and reflective assessment of your governance structures, practice and culture across a range of dimensions and through different lenses. Using a rubric of 62 international standards, the review gives leadership a clear picture of current practice, identifies areas for development, and provides a practical path forward with clear priorities and goals.
| Dimension of Governance | Governance Lens | Foundations Review | Performance Review | Excellence Review |
| 1. Purpose & Structure | Structure | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 2. Fiduciary, Legal & Ethical Stewardship | Function | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 3. Board Functioning | Function | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 4. Direction & Strategy | Strategy | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 5. Head of School | Leadership | ✓ | ✓ | |
| 6. Board Chair | Leadership | ✓ | ||
| 7. Board Membership, Culture & Capacity | Behaviour | ✓ | ||
| 8. Oversight of Educational, Student & Community Outcomes | Academics | ✓ | ✓ | |
| 9. Board Evaluation | Accountability | ✓ | ✓ |
Foundations Review
This review will ensure a sound governance framework is in place.
It is intended for young schools seeking to establish firm foundations for effective governance and for more established schools looking for a cost-effective check up on the basics.
Participants: Board Chair and Head of School
Format:
- Individual Board surveys of four Dimensions viewed through three Lenses and covering 26 standards (School)
- Review of surveys and and key relevant documents (Consultant)
- Interviews (Consultant with Board Chair + Head of School)
Outcomes:
- Aggregated results of survey
- Survey and interview analysis with consolidated insights
- Targeted recommendations for development based on the Development Rubric for 26 Standards
- Meeting with Board Chair and Head of School (and optional others) – Online or onsite (optional)
Duration: ~1-2 weeks
Performance Review
This review supports the development of a school’s established governance framework thus allowing the board to be more effective in decision-making.
Participants: Board members and Head of School
Format:
- Broad individual Board surveys for seven Dimensions viewed through six Lenses and covering 44 standards (School)
- Review of surveys and key relevant documents (Consultant)
- Interviews (Consultant with Board Chair + Head of School)
Outcomes:
- Aggregated results of surveys
- Survey, document and interview analysis with consolidated insights.
- Top risks
- Key commendations and recommendations for refinement and development based on the Development Rubric for 44 Standards
- Priority roadmap
- Meeting with Board Chair and Head of School (and optional others) – Online or onsite (recommended)
Duration: ~2-3 weeks
Excellence Review
For schools with well-established governance seeking a focused, honest review to refine and strengthen practice across all nine Dimensions of governance through seven Lenses
Participants: All Board members and Head of School (and optional others)
Format:
- Comprehensive individual Board surveys for nine Dimensions viewed through seven lenses covering all 62 Standards (All board members and Head of School plus chosen others)
- Review of surveys and key relevant documents (Consultant)
- Interviews (Consultant with all Board members and Head of School plus chosen others)
Duration: ~2-3 weeks
Outcomes:
- Aggregated results of survey
- Survey, document and interview analysis with consolidated insights.
- Top risks
- Key commendations and recommendations based on the Development Rubric for 62 Standards
- Priority roadmap
- Presentation and discussion of findings with Board Chair and Head of School (and chosen Board members) – Onsite
The goal is to refine governance and maintains high standards in all areas to ensure the board and operates effectively, collaboratively, and efficiently in support of school success.