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![]() Please support SGAWe are here to support all surrey Governors, trustees and directors in Surrey schools in achieving their aims to ensure that every child in Surrey receives the best possible education. We are all volunteer Governors who seek to provide all Governors with the information support and experience need to fulfil the role. We keep in regular contact with each other and with the many agencies local and national who are influential or facilitators in education and publish on our website and via email and on other media relevant and important information for Governors in Surrey. You are welcome to join us with several advantageous ways to become members of the SGA. All members have free access to our conferences and benefit from free access to other information and events.For futher information see our membership page or email admin@surreygovernance.org.uk ![]() ![]() Orbis Internal Audit COVID 19 Fraud BriefingMany staff may now be working from home which may mean it is more difficult to maintain segregation of duties and get appropriate authorisation for transactions. This is the perfect environment for fraudsters to operate so please be vigilant. Staff may feel isolated and be pressured into making decisions they wouldn’t normally make. Any changes to processes during this time should be documented and designed to minimise risk of fraud and financial loss. Evidence of authorisation by email rather than a wet signature is acceptable under current circumstances but the email must be retained and filed with other supporting documents for the transaction. The school must also protect any personal or sensitive information and bear this in mind when considering using personal laptops or emails.Encourage and implement enhanced checking of invoices and other requests for payment to ensure they are legitimate, and any communication is from the person or organisation it is claimed to be from. We have seen examples of spoofed emails purporting to be from suppliers or staff (particularly head teachers) that are very convincing. The fraudster may increase pressure on staff by claiming that payment is needed urgently. Remind staff to be very careful regarding new or urgent requests and changes to payment details. Staff should contact suppliers and staff by telephone using contact details on the school’s directory and used previously to confirm that requests are legitimate. If they are unable to independently verify that the request is legitimate, bank detail changes should not be made, and payment should be suspended. If your school receives suspected fraudulent requests or becomes a victim of fraud, please report this to Internal Audit by emailing Internal.audit@surreycc.gov.uk. ![]() ![]() Take a Break To ReflectBy Geoffrey HackettHaving faced so much change that has been forced upon us all by the events surrounding the challenges in fighting the coronavirus pandemic might, I suggest we pause over a coffee and think...Read more |
![]() From the Governors Handbook
1. The purpose of governance is to provide confi- dent, strategic leadership and to create robust ac- countability, oversight and assurance for education- al and financial performance. |
![]() ![]() SKILLED GOVERNORS NEEDED TO DELIVER EVEN GREATER IMPACT IN SURREY SCHOOLS![]() Cognus, in partnership with SAfE and Surrey County Council, are pleased to have launched a new Local Leaders of Governance (LLG) programme this summer. This is to replace the Additional Skills Governors’ programme that has operated in Surrey for many years. We have been inviting applications from highly skilled and experienced governors who are willing to use their knowledge and expertise to help other local school governing bodies. Specifically, to provide strategic support and mentoring to Surrey schools that need to improve current practice and/or increase future capacity to ensure high quality governance across the county. Skills and Experience Required Governors applying to join the LLG Programme will normally have had a minimum of 3 years’ experience of school governance, two of which will (ideally) have been in the capacity of Chair of the Full Governing Body, Vice Chair and/or Chair of a Committee, in a school graded by Ofsted as good or outstanding. They should also have a record of accomplishment, significantly improving the governance and performance of school governing bodies as well as be able to evidence strong governance practice and impact in their previous roles. For more information about the programme, Role Description and Application Form, please visit: https://cognus.org.uk/our-services/surreygovernor-service/local-leaders-of-governanceprogramme/ ![]() The board would be particularly interested to hear from anyone who would be interested in taking on the Health and Safety governor role. I look forward to hearing from you. Caroline Smith Clerk School Lane • Fetcham • Surrey • KT22 9JU Telephone: 01372 373502 Email: info@fetcham.surrey.sch.uk Website: www.fetcham.surrey.sch.uk ![]() |