Virtual governance support, nationwide

Governance services that keep your board moving forward

Practical, specialist support for schools, academy trusts and charities—from day-to-day clerking to independent reviews, training and panel management.

Not sure which service is right for you?

Support for every stage of governance

Choose focused expertise where you need it most. Our flexible virtual services reduce pressure on leaders and boards while strengthening effective, compliant governance.

Clerking Service

Accurate, organised clerking that keeps meetings, records and follow-up actions on track—reducing the administrative burden on school leaders and governors.

Independent Review Panels

End-to-end management of statutory IRP hearings following permanent exclusion appeals, including documentation, a trained panel and professional clerk.

External Reviews of Governance

An independent assessment of board effectiveness, aligned with the DfE Governance Handbook, Academy Trust Handbook and Nolan Principles.

Governor Training

Tutor-led and bespoke training that gives governors and trustees the confidence to understand and discharge their responsibilities effectively.

Why organisations choose Governance Connected

Founded in 2018

Experienced support built around the realities of school, trust and charity governance.

Nationwide expertise

A network of around 35 governance professionals supports organisations across England.

Reduced admin pressure

Dependable clerking and panel support frees leaders and governors to focus on priorities.

Independent perspective

Objective review and challenge help boards understand what is working and where to improve.

Flexible virtual delivery

Remote support provides responsive, cost-effective expertise without compromising quality.

Around 140 boards supported

Trusted practical experience across a wide range of governance settings.

Tailored to your needs

Choose ongoing support, one-off expertise or a bespoke package that fits your organisation.

Clear, professional guidance

Connected governance support, wherever you are.

Our virtual delivery model gives schools, academy trusts and charities across England access to responsive, high-quality governance support without the cost or constraints of a local-only service. From planned meetings and statutory processes to specialist advice and short-notice cover, we work alongside your team in a way that is practical, organised and easy to manage.

Technology helps us deliver support efficiently, but our service is always personal. You will work with experienced governance professionals who understand your organisation, communicate clearly and collaborate closely with leaders, clerks and boards. The result is dependable support that protects valuable time, strengthens good governance and adapts to what you need.

Experienced support with national reach

Since 2018, we have combined specialist governance knowledge with a flexible virtual model to support boards and leadership teams across England.

Founded in 2018

Around 35 governance professionals nationwide

Supporting around 140 boards

Frequently asked questions

How do I choose the right governance service?

Start with the challenge you need to solve. If you need reliable meeting administration, our Clerking Service may be the best fit. If you need support with a formal process, such as an exclusion appeal or governance review, we can guide you to the relevant specialist service. If you are unsure, get in touch and we will help you identify the most suitable option.

Who are your governance services for?

Our services are designed for maintained schools, academy trusts, trust boards, local governing bodies and charities across England. We work with headteachers, executive leaders, governance professionals, trustees, governors and central teams who need dependable, knowledgeable governance support.

How does virtual governance support work?

We provide support remotely through secure digital systems, email, telephone and online meetings. This allows us to respond efficiently and work with organisations nationwide, while still providing a named, professional contact who understands your requirements and works closely with your team.

Can support be tailored to our school, trust or charity?

Yes. We recognise that every organisation has different structures, pressures and priorities. Support can be tailored around your board arrangements, meeting cycle, policies, statutory responsibilities and the level of help you require, whether that is ongoing provision or a one-off piece of work.

Can you provide support at short notice?

Where capacity allows, we can provide flexible cover and ad hoc support for matters including admissions appeals, complaints, suspensions, exclusions and HR panels. Contact us with the details of your requirement and timescale, and we will let you know how we can help.

Not sure which service is right for you? Get in touch for friendly guidance on the governance support that best fits your needs.