Training and support for boards of trustees
Boards of trustees play a vital role in making sure all learners enjoy educational success. This rewarding role can also be challenging and training and support is essential.
The Ministry of Education funds a range of training courses and support. Training is accessible, flexible and tailored to meet the specific needs of boards. Here’s a brief explanation of the training and support the Ministry funds and how your board can access it. This information is also provided as a download at the bottom of this page.
Please note there is other training and support for boards provided on a cost recovery basis by organisations such as the New Zealand School Trustees Association (NZSTA).
National Standards training for boards
This year, trustees will support the introduction of National Standards. This includes consulting with school communities to develop information for parents in school reports.
The Ministry and NZSTA have developed National Standards professional development resources for boards.
The Ministry has also contracted providers to deliver workshops to groups of boards. These can be arranged through your local Ministry office.
These workshops will focus on understanding the standards and how they impact on planning and reporting, self-review, and the role boards play in guiding and supporting principals and teachers. They include information on:
- how the standards support the New Zealand Curriculum
- working with parents, families and whōnau to understand the information they need in school reports
- sources of information, including assessment tools
- the roles of boards, principals and teachers
- chapter eight of the Leadership Best Evidence Synthesis research report on relational trust
- the standards self-review tool
- alignment with charters, planning and reporting
- reporting to parents, family and whānau
- the support available.
Training providers can also help individual school boards if needed. Contact your local Ministry of Education office to discuss training opportunities in your region. The resource The board’s role in National Standards is also available to download at the end of this page.
Training Services online training
This training focuses on school planning and reporting cycles, understanding and interpreting student data, and setting and reviewing annual targets. Trustees will be encouraged to ask questions and take part in activities.
What is a webinar or an e-workshop?
A webinar is an online seminar which broadcasts to a large audience. Although in a webinar you cannot talk directly to the trainer you can send questions via the typed chat function and they will be answered live during the session.
An e-workshop on the other hand is designed for small groups of participants.These workshops are more in-depth allowing you to openly discuss your school’s individual situation with, and ask questions of the trainer and other participants using your phone.
To take part you need a computer with internet access (dial-up is fine) and a separate phone line. During the school year, you will be sent emails inviting you to upcoming sessions.
This training is available to all trustees free-of-charge.
Watch the Training Services brief introduction video to webinar and e-workshop online training: www.trainingservices.org.nz/intro
Upcoming Webinars
How boards work (14 May – 8 June)
'How boards work' covers:
- The roles of the different trustees
- Board tools – effective workplans and agendas
- The use of committees
- Board planning, review and monitoring
- The Ministry’s priority groups – Māori, Pasifika and learners with special education needs
During the 'How boards work' webinar you will also have opportunities for open discussion with an expert in governance and other trustees from around New Zealand.
To book for this webinar and to register to receive invitations to future webinars and online board training, email: training.services@minedu.govt.nz
Contact us
If you have not already received invite emails to participate in webinars or e-workshops for boards, please email the Ministry of Education's Training Services team: training.services@minedu.govt.nz
Webinar resources
After each series of webinars an audio recording of the webinar, the slide summary, and question and answers for each session will be available from Webinar resources or the Training Services website www.trainingservices.org.nz
Face-to-face training and support
This training is delivered face-to-face by a provider and can be tailored to your board’s needs. It can be provided directly to your board or in a seminar-style format to a cluster of boards.
The Ministry will match your needs to a provider’s skills and experience.
To get face-to-face training
Contact your local Ministry of Education office to discuss your board’s training needs. If there is a clear need for face-to-face training and support, the Ministry of Education will pay for it.
In some cases, the Ministry will contact boards to discuss free face-to-face training and support that is available in your region.
Becoming a provider of tailored training and support services for boards
The Ministry of Education seeks to attract and retain preferred providers to deliver tailored training and support services to deliver tailored training and support services to boards of trustees on aspects of their governance roles and responsibilities. The opportunity to tender is open to both individuals and organisations. The Request for Proposal (RFP) and a copy of the evaluation criteria is available as a download at the end of this page.
Industrial, advisory and trustee election services
NZSTA is contracted by the Ministry of Education to provide industrial, advisory and trustee election services free to all boards.
These services include:
- trustee advisory services, including the 0800 Helpdesk to support boards on all governance matters
- a national network of advisors – personnel/industrial relations
- representing boards in employment-related matters
- legislation and information on compliance changes
- school trustee elections: information, promotion and resources.
Access to industrial and advisory services
NZSTA can be contacted at