School Governing Bodies: Diversity

Lord Forsyth of Drumlean Excerpts

Thursday 28th April 2022 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Penn (Con)]

My Lords, I believe that the Government provide clear guidance for trusts on their governance arrangements. The Government will always make sure that that is the case.

[Lord Forsyth of Drumlean (Con)]

My Lords, listening to the questions we have had, does my noble friend agree that the important thing is to look at the effectiveness of the governance of these schools? Would she like to pay tribute to our noble friend Lord Harris for the fantastic work he has done in transforming failing schools into some of the leading schools in the country?

[Baroness Penn (Con)]

My Lords, my noble friend is absolutely correct. It is about effectiveness and outcomes, and that is the focus of the schools White Paper that the Government recently published. To go back to the original Question, diversity is essential to ensure that effectiveness, and the Government support it.