“(1) The Secretary of State must conduct a public consultation on the current structures of governance within both local authority and academy schools.

(2) The consultation conducted under subsection (1) must consider—

(a) the role of school governors;

(b) the statutory duties of school governors;

(c) ways to encourage people to become school governors; and

(d) any other matters that the Secretary of State may see fit.

(3) The Secretary of State must issue the consultation conducted under subsection (1) within one year of the commencement of this Act.

(4) The Secretary of State must, within three months of the consultation closing, publish and lay before Parliament his response to the consultation.” —

This new clause instigates a review of school governance in light of the severe shortage of school governors and the increasing responsibilities that volunteer governors are taking on.

Brought up, and read the First time.

I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time.

I move this new clause on behalf of my hon. Friend Lisa Smart, who is herself a school governor, to highlight the severe shortage of school governors and the increasing responsibilities they face. The recruitment of governors has become increasingly difficult. Indeed, the National Governance Association estimates that in 2022 vacancies hit a six-year high at 20,000. Its latest report last year revealed that 76% of schools found it difficult to recruit governors, while 44% of boards had two or more vacancies, up from 33% three years ago. Moreover, 30% of governors considered resigning because of an inability to balance their governance responsibilities with their jobs.

Evidence shows that the responsibilities of school governors have significantly increased over time, and Ofsted said that since schools’ autonomy increased, starting with the Education and Inspections Act 2006, the role has become more important but also more complex. Historically, school governors provided formal oversight, but they are now also expected to ensure regular performance reviews and financial oversight, and to hold school leadership accountable. The position has become increasingly professionalised, and Ofsted has identified that growth in responsibility as a key factor in many schools struggling to achieve a good or higher rating. That is largely because governors fail to focus on holding school leadership accountable, and have that split responsibility with other aspects of the role. The new clause seeks to probe that issue more, and I look forward to the Minister’s response.

I am grateful for the opportunity to discuss governance structures in schools and academies. I sincerely thank the incredible volunteer force, which is a vital part of our system. I have such admiration for those in our communities who step up and invest their precious time and energy in our schools and young people. Governors and trustees work tirelessly in the interests of pupils and students in what we recognise is an often challenging environment. We really do owe them a debt of thanks.

Although effective structures support high and rising standards, we always have to consider carefully whether changing structures could lead to more disruption than benefit. The Government are focusing on standards, rather than structures. We will drive improvements of school and trust leadership and management through the introduction of school report cards from autumn 2025. We are currently working with governance sector partners, including the National Governance Association and the Confederation of School Trusts, to support their efforts to champion governance, help schools and trusts recruit and retain governors and trustees, and think creatively about structures.

Existing legislation and guidance already enable flexibility in relation to governance structures’ size and constitution, and we encourage governing boards to take advantage of the flexibilities they already have when designing their governance structures and assessing their individual needs. We continue to keep the legal requirements and guidance on governance under review, and we will make changes that improve the system. I hope I have reassured the hon. Member for St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire that we are already working with the sector to address these challenges, and that he will accordingly withdraw the new clause.

I beg to ask leave to withdraw the motion.

Clause, by leave, withdrawn.