Skip to content ↓

Home
About Us
Professional Development
Schools & Academies
Religious Education
Collective Worship & Spiritual Flourishing
Wellbeing
Diversity, Equality, Justice & Inclusion
Governance
Safeguarding
- Contact
- Policies

Home
About Us
Board of Directors
DBE Skills Audit

DBE Skills Audit

LDBE 2025 Skills Audit - for Directors

Name*

I have governing experience in a school / academy trust or in a different sectoryou have significant (more than 4 years') experience on a school or academy trust boardyou have up to 4 years' experience governing within the school sector or more than 4 years' experience governing in a different sectoryou have limited governing experience outside the school sectoryou have no prior governing experience

I am / have been the chair of a board or committeeyou have more than 4 years' experience chairing boverning boards and c or committees in schools or trustsyou have up to 4 years' experience chairing governing boards and or committees in schools or trustsyou have some chairing experience, including being a vice-chair or acting chair for meetings. This may include chairing experience outside the school sectoryou have no chairing experience

I have experience and expertise in developing a strategy. Developing a medium to long term strategy for any organisation requires: risk management; identification of key performance indicators and deciding how they will be monitored; and consideration of stakeholders viewsyou have experience of strategy development in a school or academy (such as leading a governing board strategy development day)you have equivilent strategy development outside the schools sectoryour experience is less extensiveyou have no experience of developing a strategy

I know what the LDBE's strategic priorities areyou know what the LDBE's strategic priorities are, what they mean for pupils and other stakeholders, and can confidently discuss these priorities with othersyou are aware of the LDBE's strategic priorities but don't feel confident discussing themyou don't know what the strategic priorities are - perhaps you have recently joined the board or haven't been involved in developing the strategy

I can identify key risks and evaluate their potential impactyou have experience of evaluating and managing risk in a governance role - you have contributed to discussions about the LDBE's risk register, potential impact and mitigationyou have some understanding of how risk management works in practiceyou have no experience of risk management and do not feel able to contribute

I am aware of how the LDBE is funded and what the funding is spent onyou have a good understanding of how funding is allocated under different budget headings and how spending impacts outcomesyou have some awareness of LDBE's funding and allocation but do not feel confident providing examples of how spending impacts outcomesyou are not aware of what the key information is

I can interpret budget monitoring reports and ask relevant questions. The LDBE (finance/resources committee in particular) should recieve budget monitoring reports (management accounts) from the F&O Manageryou can confidently use these reports to ask relevant questions which help provide assurances that the budget is being managed effectively. Your questions focus on any changes to planned spending and the explanations for such changesyou have evaluated financial data in an academy trust, your experience informs your contribution to relevant discussionyou have experience of financial data in another type of organisationyou have no experience of using financial data and so do not feel able to contribute to relevant discussions

I understand how the LDBE engages with stakeholders - DfE, Local Authorities, Academy Trusts, Schools and the wider community - and how this informs decisionsyou have been involved in your Board's stakeholder engagement activity, which may include: meeting with staff and outside organisations (such as the local authority)you have experience of stakeholder engagement on another governing boardyou have experience of stakeholder engagement outside the schools sectoryou have no experience of stakeholder engagement

I know how to build the knowledge I need to be effective in my role on the DBEyou have completed an induction to the board and engage in ongoing developmentyou have identified knowledge or skills gaps but have not yet engaged in or planned relevant development activityyou have not yet identified knowledge or skills gaps and have not engaged in relevant development activity

I can build positive, collaborative relationships with members of my boardare willing to share the workload, welcome a range of experiences and perspectives, feel comfortable offering up constructive challenge, can reach a reasonable consensus and seek to resolve issues that may lead to conflictyou have identified areas you would like to work onyou have not built collaborative relationships and are unsure how to achieve this

I understand the distinct responsibilities of the LDBE delegated committeesyou can confidently explain the role of the DBE sub committeesyou are aware of the committees, but need further clarity

I am aware of the LDBE's legal and compliance responsibilities. You should have a broad understanding of the board's legal and compliance responsibilities in areas such as safeguardingyou have gained awareness of the legal and compliance responsibilities from your induction, experience of governing, attending meetings, carrying out the business and undertaking further development.you have some awarenessyou have no awareness

I feel able to speak up if I am concerned about non-compliance and unethical behaviouryou are able to recognise something that is not - or does not appear to be - right and raise it as an issue in an appropirate way, however challenging it may beyou do not feel confident in recognising or challenging appropriatelyyou would like more support or guidance in this area

I recognise when independent, expert advice may be required. Effective DBE's recognise the importance of seeking independent, expert advice and are prepared to call for advice before making a decision. This includes the advice of their DDE and, where necessary, legal, financial or HR adviceyou feel confident requesting that expert advice is sought where necessaryyou have a lower level of confidenceyou are unable to recognise situations where expert advice is necessary

I feel confident serving on a panel. Members are sometimes part of a panel which is required to decide employment issues and other mattersyou have been a member of a panel where you reviewed evidence and reached an objective decisionyou understand how and why panels are formed and, with some support, you would feel confident being part of a panelyou do not feel confident being part of a panel

I have knowledge, experience or training that will help me to promote diversity, inclusion and equal opportunitiesyou have experience and or training and so are confident making a tangible contribution to discussions and actions that promote diversity, inclusion and equal opportunitiesyou have some knowledge or experience but do not feel confident about making a tangible contributionyou have limited knowledge or experience and are unable to make a tangible contribution

I can confidently challenge behaviour, attitudes and practices which are detrimental to creating an inclusive cultureyou are able and prepared to challenge attitudes, assumptions and or language that, whether intentional or not, could result in individuals or groups being disadvantaged or treated less favourably than othersyou are prepared to challenge but could benefit from development, support or guidanceyou require development, support or guidance in this area

Is there any training or support you would like to increase your contribution to promoting equality and diversity in the LDBE? This could include: mentoring & coaching, specific training (such as unconscious bias training), reading, general awareness raising, a whole board approach (such as a diversity and inclusion workshop) What specific skills or experience do you have that could be utilised by the LDBE and its committees?

In this section

DBE Skills Audit

Edward King House, Minster Yard, Lincoln, LN2 1PU
Company No: 08334622

E-mail: education@lincoln.anglican.org
Phone: 01522 504010

© 2025 Diocese of Lincoln Board of Education
Website design by e4education View Sitemap | Accessibility Statement | High Visibility | Privacy Policy | Cookie Settings

Cookie Policy

This site uses cookies to store information on your computer. Click here for more information