Governance: myths and mysteries

The exercise is ‘educational about governance’. It encourages careful thought rather than reliance on simple formulae. As in most such things, there are some clear (often legal) rules. You picnic on my front drive: that’s trespass. The principal appoints his/her spouse to a senior post without external advertisement or a proper interview panel: that’s misconduct. The board introduces academic selection when the charitable objects state expressly that ‘admission is to be open to pupils from all backgrounds and abilities’: that’s ultra vires. But there are many, many issues that are not so clear cut, where different perspectives might lead to different answers. All I can do tonight is to illuminate some of these—and encourage careful reflection.