- 17 August 2026
Read time: 4-5 minutes
Summary: Rebecca Paterson is the Governance Lead at HEARTS Academy Trust in Essex. In this comment piece she explains why applying for and receiving a bursary to undertake a CGI qualification improved outcomes for both her career and her trust.
When I found out that my bursary application for the CGI Certificate in Academy Governance had been successful, I was delighted. Receiving financial support made a real difference to me personally, a mum of four with a busy day job, and to the small academy trust in Essex I work for. Governance is a critical part of the education system, but those involved in governance often come from a wide range of backgrounds and circumstances. Access to bursary support is key to ensuring that high quality training is not limited by cost. Bursaries also help trusts and schools benefit from improved governance knowledge, skills and confidence.
I first became aware of the CGI bursary opportunity while exploring options for professional development within the sector. The CGI sector qualification bursaries immediately caught my attention. I had already been considering the Certificate in Academy Governance qualification to further my own development and my trust’s governance priorities, so learning that financial support was available was encouraging.
Building governance confidence
One of the most valuable aspects of the course was the opportunity to step back from the immediate demands of the role and look at governance in a more structured and strategic way. The qualification encouraged me to reflect on what effective governance looks like, how boards and local governance bodies can work together, and how governance professionals can support clarity, accountability and communication.
Governance has always appealed to me because it brings together strategy, challenge, support and public service. It is a vital part of ensuring schools and trusts operate effectively and ethically. In my role as Governance Lead, one of my career aspirations was to deepen my professional knowledge and strengthen the governance systems I support. I wanted to feel more confident advising Trustees, local governors and senior leaders, particularly in relation to roles and responsibilities, communication routes, induction, compliance and the relationship between local and trust-wide governance.
At HEARTS Academy Trust, professional development is recognised as an important investment in both individual growth and organisational success. The Trust acknowledged the value of the Certificate in Academy Governance qualification and both supported and encouraged me. Discovering that I was eligible for a CGI bursary significantly reduced the financial commitment required from the Trust, helping to make this valuable professional development opportunity accessible while ensuring resources could be used to support other priorities across my organisation.
My experience of the bursary application process was extremely positive. It was straightforward and encouraged me to think carefully about why I wanted to undertake the qualification, what I hoped to gain from it and how it would benefit my organisation. As with any application, there was a natural moment of hesitation before applying, particularly whether I would be successful and if I could balance the qualification with my professional and personal commitments.
Despite my concerns, completing the qualification has had a direct impact on my effectiveness as a governance professional. Having a deeper knowledge of governance has improved my confidence, strengthened my ability to advise others and enabled me to contribute more strategically. I feel better equipped to identify where processes can be improved and to support Trustees and local governors in carrying out their roles effectively.
Creating stronger school governance
One of the most significant impacts of the training has resulted in an improvement to local governance within my trust. I now have a more in-depth understanding of governance structures, roles and expectations, which has helped me support Local Advisory Boards more effectively. The biggest benefit of completing the qualification, has been the confidence it has given me. I now feel more secure in my knowledge and more able to provide informed guidance. That confidence has made me more effective in my role and better able to support governance across the Trust.
The training that resonated with me the most was the importance of role clarity, induction and ongoing support. Trustees and Local Advisory Board members bring a wide range of skills and experiences but they need clear information, strong induction and continuous development to fulfil their responsibilities confidently. I also enjoyed being able to apply the learning directly to real-life situations. I developed strong practical insight that I used to strengthen governance processes and improve the experience of those involved in governance across the trust.
I have worked to improve communication between the Board and local governors, helping to ensure that information flows more clearly and consistently. This has supported a stronger connection between trust-level governance and local governance, making it easier for Local Advisory Board members to understand how their work contributes to the trust’s wider strategic aims.
I wholeheartedly encourage others in the profession, no matter the sector, to consider a CGI sector-specific qualification and bursary application. Strong governance depends on people who are knowledgeable, confident and reflective. Formal training helps build that confidence and provides a framework for continuous improvement.
Find out more about CGI sector-specific qualifications and available bursaries.