Summary
This unique Level 4 course has been created to help meet the specific needs for effective governance in academy schools. You will learn skills not readily available from other courses in schools management. In particular, the course focuses on the governance needs of multi-academy trusts (MATs), and how solid and consistent governance and standards can be implemented across several schools. Students who successfully complete the Level 4 Certificate in Academy Governance qualification and have at least two years’ work experience are eligible to become Affiliated members and continue to benefit from the knowledge and support of our governance and compliance community.
Entry
This programme is open entry, with no prior qualifications required and is suitable for those who work in a governing, management or administrative (non-teaching) role in new or converted academies.
Particular job roles may include:
- Office Administrator/Clerical Assistant/Executive Assistant
- School Clerk/Clerk to Governors
- Business Managers/Business Support Office
- School Bursar/Bursar’s Secretary/ School Business Manager
- Governor/Trustee
- Company Secretary (working in a junior post and those that do not hold CSQS)
Course content
The course is delivered through an online learning platform (LMS), where you can also ask questions and discuss topics with other students. There are live webinar events, which are recorded so you can catch up if you can’t watch them live. The course is divided into four modules, each covering different aspects of charity governance in the UK.
Module 1 is common across a number of our Level 4 certificates and covers core governance knowledge and skills. This will give students an in-depth grounding in the principles of good governance.
Module 2 provides a broad understanding of the background to the academies sector, the common governance structures and the variety of internal structures for local governance.
Module 3 examines the legislative background to the academies sector and the different external agencies who regulate Trusts, including the key regulatory bodies within the Department for Education.
Module 4 provides a broad understanding of the key principles affecting financial management in a Trust and its academies and how they affect the trustees and office holders as they seek to discharge their legal duties and responsibilities in practice.
Study
The 25/26 cohort will start in October 2025.
The recommended study time for the Level 4 Certificate in Academy Governance is 200 hours, which includes the webinars, practice tasks and assessment exercises. This course is based around a self-study model, and therefore requires a significant commitment to study, on top of the provided webinar sessions. You will be expected to study approximately eight hours per week to prepare for your assessment.
The course schedule will deliver up to 17 live webinars with one of our experienced tutors using Microsoft Teams.
Assessment
Successful completion of this course will be dependent on you passing the assessment. Your overall grade at the end of the course is made up of marks from two components:
- A written assignment worth 60% of your overall result
- A multiple-choice assessment worth 40% of your overall result
To pass the course and achieve the qualification, you will have to achieve a pass for the written assignment and a pass for the multiple-choice question exam.
Fees
The fee for this qualification is £1,218.
This includes:
- Registration and certificate
- One assesment entry
- Electronic copies of the syllabus, materials and study text on the LMS.
- Access to study support webinars
- Student membership and benefits for the duration of your course.
Register
Are you ready to start the Certificate in Academy Governance? Select the following button to begin your registration.