Overview
This unique Level 4 qualification is the only certification to look at the specific governance needs for academy trusts and schools.
You’ll learn how to develop solid and consistent governance standards, with a particular focus on implementing governance across several schools as part of a multi-academy trust.
You don’t need any previous qualifications to study the Certificate in Academy Governance. In fact, it’s the perfect way for anyone with governance responsibilities in academies to start developing your governance knowledge — whatever your background or skills.
The next start date for this qualification is Monday 20th October 2025. Please make sure to complete your registration by Friday 10th October 2025.
Details
- Format: Guided learning
- Cost: £1,475
- Duration: 8-9 Months (Next start Monday 20th October 2025)
- Discount for CGIUKI members
- No previous qualifications needed
- Affiliated membership eligible
Apply
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What you’ll learn
- Legal Structures and Framework
- Governance
- Risk, Compliance and Policies
- Financial Management
Suitable for
Anyone who works, or wants to work, in a governing, management or administrative roles in academies, including:
- Office Administrator, Clerical Assistant or Executive Assistant
- School Clerk/Clerk to Governors
- Business Managers or Business Support Officer
- School Bursar, Bursar’s Secretary or School Business Manager
- Governor or Trustee
- Company Secretary
Bursary
We’re proud to offer ten bursaries each year to cover 90% of the course fees supported by, the Chartered Secretaries’ Charitable Trust.
To apply for a bursary, you/your organisation must:
- Be able to cover the remaining 10% of the course fee.
- Be able to supply a copy of your organisation’s most recent annual report and accounts.
- Be able to supply a reference from your employer to support your application.
We especially welcome applications from small to medium-sized, charitable and non-profit organisations. Bursaries are also sometimes granted to individuals based within larger organisations where other sources of funding are not available.
Reference will be made to annual accounts and financial statements with priority given to applicants from organisations with limited training funds.
Please submit applications by 21 July 2025. Successful applicants will be notified by 31 July 2025.
What you'll get
- Award: Level 4 Certificate, equivalent to the first year of an undergraduate degree
- Registration, one exam and certification fees covered
- Digital copies of the syllabus, materials and study text
- 17 live webinars
- Access to online learning platform, where you can ask questions and discuss topics with other students
- CGIUKI student membership throughout your course
- MyCG access — member-exclusive online portal with past papers and mark schemes
- Access to a community of practice with like-minded professionals via our online learning management portal
- Eligible for CGIUKI affiliated membership upon completion
Content
The course is delivered through an online learning platform (LMS), where you can also ask questions and discuss topics with other students. There are live webinar events, which are recorded so you can catch up if you can’t watch them live. The course is divided into four modules, each covering different aspects of academy governance in the UK.
Modules |
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Module 1 |
Common across a number of our Level 4 certificates and covers core governance knowledge and skills. This will give students an in-depth grounding in the principles of good governance. |
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Module 2 |
Provides a broad understanding of the background to the academies sector, the common governance structures and the variety of internal structures for local governance. |
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Module 3 |
Examines the legislative background to the academies sector and the different external agencies who regulate Trusts, including the key regulatory bodies within the Department for Education. |
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Module 4 |
Provides a broad understanding of the key principles affecting financial management in a Trust and its academies and how they affect the trustees and office holders as they seek to discharge their legal duties and responsibilities in practice. |
Assessment
Successful completion of this course will be dependent on you passing the assessment. Your overall grade at the end of the course is made up of marks from two components:
- A written assignment worth 60% of your overall result
- A multiple-choice assessment worth 40% of your overall result
To pass the course and achieve the qualification, you will have to achieve a pass for the written assignment and a pass for the multiple-choice question exam.
What our past students have said
“The webinars were extremely informative, professionally delivered by Siobhan, and others."
“The session run by the guest facilitator, Anna, was excellent ...she got the group involved in discussions and sharing our collective knowledge, which was incredibly useful."
“Knowledgeable trainer, information put in work context."
“I enjoyed the webinars and they linked directly to the course book."
“Content and tutor were excellent."
Apply now
Log in or sign up for a free CGIUKI account to book your place on the Certificate in Academy Governance..
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