Dear Sir or Madam,

In today's DCSF Press Notice announcing the launch of a major
review of school governance
(http://www.dfes.gov.uk/pns/DisplayPN.cgi...), the
department makes an assertion that
"Smaller governing bodies tend to be more effective and highly
skilled."

Can you please publish the evidential basis for this assertion.

Yours faithfully,

Feargal Hogan

Dear Mr Hogan,

Thank you for your recent email. A reply will be sent to you as soon as
possible (where a response is required). For information, the
departmental standard for correspondence received is that responses
should be sent within 15 working days or 20 working days if you are
requesting information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Your correspondence has been allocated the reference number 2008/0040294

Thank you.

Central Allocation Team

Public Communications Team

Tel: 0870 0002288
www.dcsf.gov.uk

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Dear Feargal Hogan,

Thank you for your request for information about the review of school
governance. Your request was received on 8 May 2008 and I am dealing
with it under the terms of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Under section 21 of the Act, we are not required to provide information
in response to a request if it is already reasonably accessible to you.
The information you requested is available on the Governornet website
at:
http://www.governornet.co.uk/publishArti...
1435&pageStart=1&sortOrder=c.dateCreated
<http://www.governornet.co.uk/publishArti...> . If you do not have
access to the Internet, you may be able to use facilities at your local
public library, or you can request a paper copy by contacting us on the
details below.

Many Academies and all Interim Executive Boards (IEBs) provide examples
of smaller high powered governing bodies that have demonstrated rapid
improvements in standards. The document we have referred you to is a
collation of recent research into school governance.

If you have any queries about this letter, please contact the School
Governance Unit. Please remember to quote our reference number in any
future communications.

If you are unhappy with the service you have received in relation to
your request and wish to make a complaint or request a review of our
decision, you should write to me within two calendar months of the date
of this letter.

If you are not content with the outcome of your complaint, you may apply
directly to the Information Commissioner for a decision. Generally, the
ICO cannot make a decision unless you have exhausted our
complaints/review procedure.

Yours sincerely,

School Governance Unit

Department for Children, Schools and Families

Level 3 Sanctuary Buildings

Great Smith Street

London SW1P 3BT

020 7273 5627

Your correspondence has been allocated the reference number
2008/0040294.

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Dear Sir or Madam,

Many thanks for your reply. With particular reference to the
Academies you mention, can you please provide details of the size
of their Governing Bodies and the rapid improvements made (e.g.
timelines of improved Ofsted judgements)

Many thanks

Yours sincerely,

Feargal Hogan