With nearly two decades of school governance experience across Infant, Primary, Secondary, All Through and Alternative Provision schools and academies, distilled into an easy-to-read format, My School Governance Handbook aims to make the complex world of school governance simple and accessible to all. This handbook will take you step by step through the basics of school governance, what the role entails and what you need to know. It explains how schools and multi academy trusts are structured, the key areas of school life you need to understand, relevant questions to ask and finally, includes a dictionary of education acronyms. It also includes ideas and guidance from other experienced governors across the UK, and is written for any school governor or trustee.


What do we think?

"My School Governance Handbook" by Al Kingsley suits new governors and trustees. It explains how schools and trusts are structured, the legal and regulatory frameworks, the day-to-day side of governance and the questions to ask, and ends with a dictionary of education acronyms. I recommend it.

What else it covers

BESA's announcement of the book lists further topics: an overview of school finances and the board's financial duties; building a risk register that stands up to scrutiny; understanding curriculum development from a non-specialist's point of view; preparing for an Ofsted inspection; and guidance for a new governor's first years. The inspection material predates Ofsted's renewed framework and report cards (November 2025).

Who it is for

New and prospective governors and trustees, clerks, and headteachers inducting new board members. It explains the role in plain terms; the statutory duties themselves are set out in the DfE's Maintained schools: governance guide and Academy trusts: governance guide, which replaced the Governance Handbook in March 2024, after this book was published.

About the book

  • Full title: My School Governance Handbook: Keeping it simple, a step by step guide and checklist for all school governors.
  • Author: Al Kingsley, chair of Hampton Academies Trust since 2014 and Group CEO of the education technology company NetSupport (BESA).
  • Publisher: Hachette Learning. Paperback, 17 October 2022, 304 pages.
  • ISBN: 9781915261458.

Sources: Hachette Learning listing and BESA announcement, checked 13 October 2026.