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GovernorHub is getting a mini makeover
We’ve been working under the bonnet to strengthen our foundations for a while and it’s soon time to make changes to the pages that you will see.
Don’t panic though… the changes are small and, most importantly, Ortoo the Owl is staying 😌
Find out what’s ahead and why this all leads to better ‘Governor-Hubbing’ in the future.
GovernorHub General Manager Ellie Cheshire explains more about our plans.
The background...
We now support two out of every three schools in England, which is great. Those of you who know us will know that we’re a team that’s genuinely passionate about effective governance and supporting schools.
An example of how much we’ve grown is how many documents we now store - at the last check it was 10 million! That’s quite a leap from 1.9 million just a few years ago. We’ve had to make sure GovernorHub is up to the job of managing this load - especially as we’re always looking to improve and add new features.
Next Generation GovernorHub
Over the last 18 months, our engineers have built a new version of GovernorHub from the ground up using cutting-edge technology - a kind of ‘super-charged’ version of GovernorHub. This new technology provides bigger, sturdier foundations for us.
You might remember last April, we had a short period of downtime on GovernorHub during a busy period which was very unusual for us. Ever since, we’ve been future-proofing the site so it’s even more robust.
Our engineers have replicated every last detail of GovernorHub on new foundations with the aim of retiring old GovernorHub and moving over to the new site securely.
We’re going to release Next Generation GovernorHub very shortly and ask some of you to test it for us, starting with our clerks feedback group. We know clerks will do a great job of finding anything that’s not working as it should and letting us know. When we’re absolutely sure the site is working perfectly, we’ll move things over.
What’s going to change?
The new site isn’t very different from the old site. However, we are moving what we call ‘the washing line’ at the top of the page - that’s where you find all of your boards and groups.
Some of our clerks and busiest users can struggle with the washing line at the moment as there’s not much space and not all of their groups can be displayed on it which can be quite frustrating for them.
The washing line also takes up a fair bit of space which can be a problem if you’re looking at the site on a small laptop screen.
So we’ve taken the bold move of removing the washing line from the top of the screen and using a left-hand sidebar instead. I realise that’s not as interesting as we can’t call it a washing line but it’s actually going to be much more practical as it allows us to give you more space and will hopefully make navigating around the site much easier.
Over time, we’ll be able to add lots of new features as well that we wouldn’t have been able to do previously.
New features coming in 2024/25
One of the first things that we will be adding is a ‘super search’ function. At the moment, if you’ve got GovernorHub Knowledge and you’re looking for some expert guidance, advice or training you have to click on to the blue K icon on the washing line and go to a separate site.
Our super search function will allow you to ask the question you want to ask from within GovernorHub - surfacing the answer for you right where you’re working.
We’re also releasing a new self-efficacy tool for boards. It has some of the functionality of a Skills Audit but much, much more too and will help boards to understand where and how they can be more effective.
Ortoo the Owl
It’s important to point out that Ortoo the Owl will be staying! It’s just that his perch is moving a little.
As I’ve mentioned, we’ll be doing some user testing of the new site over the coming weeks, especially during the school summer holidays when it’s quieter. Once we’re ready - we’ll make the move to the new site.
As always, feedback is really important to us so if you’re testing the new site, please drop us a line in the chat if there’s anything you want to mention. Our intention is that Next Generation GovernorHub will feel just as good if not better than the GovernorHub you’re used to.
Feedback
Thanks to everyone who has engaged and commented on our article and for the many feature requests - much appreciated.
As always, we have noted all of the suggestions and will keep track them.
We are always working to improve GovernorHub and Next Generation GovernorHub is part of this process.
Please put any future suggestions to us at [email protected] or use the help chat icon on the website.
Thank you for your continued support 
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Comments
Kerrie McGrory 11 Sep 2024, 17:39 (5 days ago)
I love using Governor Hub. The notice board and document board are particularly useful.
I think it is a shame the app isn't being updated. For some governors on my board, this was an important conduit of information, particularly for governors who only had a phone for access to the documents. This is the case for some governors so I think this needs further consideration. Some aspects, particularly adding training, are less intuitive so I think need looking at. The help guides are useful but sometimes it is not obvious how you add training for the whole LGB or individual governors, for example. The calendar feels clunky and it takes a while to add entries.
However, as CHair I absolutely love it as a repository of all things governance and to keep tabs on compliance and confirmations. Invaluable.
The GovernorHub Team 12 Sep 2024, 10:37 (5 days ago)
Hi Kerrie 👋 thank you for letting us know your thoughts. Governors will still be able to use GovernorHub on their phones through the interactive web-app and be able to do everything they can on the desktop version.
You can read our instructions for both androids and iPhones on how to install the new web-app here https://help.governorhub.com/en/articles/9823219-how-to-add-governorhub-to-your-smartphone-tablet-home-screen
Nicola Gregory 19 Aug 2024, 09:08 (29 days ago)
Disappointed to see the washing line move - found that really easy to navigate and gave it a different look to other websites.
Andrew Stickland 25 Jul 2024, 00:56 (54 days ago)
Please please please develop an android app. It would make everything so much easier and you risk being behind the times and people moving away if you don't. It could be a great product, if you made it accessible via an app.
Anne Belcher nee Smith 22 Jul 2024, 22:10 (56 days ago)
I find it very interesting and rewarding to be a governor of a school I have worked in for a considerable time. It is amazing to see the progress made.
Colin Rymill 22 Jul 2024, 14:06 (57 days ago)
Delighted you're keeping Ortoo, he/she is a wise old thing and full of humour!
Sutton County Grammar School's emblem was also a Wise Owl, I attended from 1955 to 1961 when corporal punishment was still administered including a stretched length of 6mm square elastic applied to the ear lobe.
Happy Days!
Steve Maingot 17 Jul 2024, 15:35 (2 months ago)
Outstanding improvements.
Melanie Ann Smith 17 Jul 2024, 14:07 (2 months ago)
Keep doing what youre doing guys...its amazing!!!
Rebecca Harvey 17 Jul 2024, 11:58 (2 months ago)
Under My Hub, I would like upcoming events to be at the top, instead of recent events, and cover the next two weeks.
The GovernorHub Team 18 Jul 2024, 11:27 (2 months ago)
Hi Rebecca - This an excellent point ⭐ and something we'll start implementing
Charlotte 17 Jul 2024, 09:51 (2 months ago)
Hi Ellie, we love a bit of a makeover and remain big fans of GovHub!!
Are you by any chance making any changes to the admin module? The current reporting structure on there is great but its a bit of an all or nothing funtions so some filters and the reinstatement of the complaince reprt would be amazing (especially moving into Autumn Term).
John Knott 16 Jul 2024, 13:13 (2 months ago)
We would like to see less information sent on e-mails - for example if something is posted about a complaint those details get shared on e-mail. Ideally would like a way in which the complaint can be discussed via Governor Hub and all data retained on there.
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