5 questions to consider when thinking about 'challenge'

The word challenge is threaded throughout the DfE guidance...

Governors, trustees and leaders are required in turn to demonstrate constructive challenge, to focus on significant challenges, to ensure that there is sufficient internal challenge, to expect robust challenge, and to offer challenge.

But what does challenge in governance look like in practice? The dictionary offers us a range of definitions – from trials of strength (which are potentially combative and not appropriate behaviours for board rooms), to invitations to justify and prove, through to offering an objection to something and finally to offer stretch and stimulation. Maybe the challenge in terms of our governance activities is all of these things and none of these things? 

If you or your board is unsure of whether your challenge is effective (or even if what you’re doing counts as challenge at all!), why not consider the following questions to reflect on your current practice.

2. Is the challenge on your board welcomed and appropriate?

Challenge in and of itself should not be seen as a problematic word or activity and governors should not be afraid of offering challenge. Most school leaders want to be challenged but they want this to be based on the facts, the data and the context of the school or academy. Legitimate challenges to information presented at meetings should be welcomed as it makes a positive contribution to school improvement. 

3. Is the challenge on your board actually related to a lack of clear meeting focus and/or preparation?

Meetings need to have purposeful agendas, timely reporting and clear outcomes as well as strong chairing. Challenge can be offered at any point during the meeting but should be done respectfully, with no raised voices or inappropriate language or comments. Challenge does not need to be aggressive after all. If governors or trustees are challenging the information presented to them for factual accuracy, or because the information is unclear or indecipherable, or only looks backwards with no forward reflection then they are right to challenge.

5. What is your board's default position? Accepting without questions, constant challenge or somewhere inbetween?

A strong board will be able to consistently hold leaders to account respectfully and to hold challenging conversations where everyone’s understanding and knowledge is moved forward. Holding to account should be a positive activity not be punitive or worse passive. Boards that are in constant turmoil or conflict about what it is they are supposed to be doing will find effective challenge harder.. A board with a clear mission and purpose, whose work is embedded in school or academy improvements plans will do better. Having ownership of the challenges facing the school community as well as confidence in asking challenging questions is the sign of an effective board.

And finally, if we always remember who it is we are governing for then we won’t go far wrong.