The Company has established Special Interest Groups – SIGs – to provide a way for members to share an area of expertise and interest, to learn more about an area they are unfamiliar with and to give opportunities for a topic of particular concern to a group of members to be explored in greater detail.

All SIGS are open to all members of the Company, including those with considerable knowledge and expertise in the area concerned, but also to those who are just interested in hearing more about the subjects covered. They are led by a Company member – as SIG Lead. Some SIGs also have external experts outside the Company as regular attenders.

Any Liveryman may put forward a proposal to start a new SIG and new Groups are forming regularly. SIGs established presently are:

A – Arts and Cultural Education (SIG ARTS)

B – Careers Information and Guidance (SIG CIG)

C- Education and the Criminal Justice System (SIG ECJS)

D – Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning (SIG FESL)

E – Higher Education (SIG HE)

F – Environment & Outdoor Education (SIG EOE)

G- Multi Academy Trusts (SIG MAT)

H – Military Education (SIG ME)

I – Special Educational Needs (SIG SEND)

J – School Improvement and Leadership (SIG SIL)

The Court has approved an updated protocol for the formation and operation of the SIGS. Proposals for new SIGs are normally considered by the Engagement Committee, and if supported, they are presented to the Court for approval. The SIG Lead is appointed by the Court in the first instance and subsequently by the Engagement Committee who help to develop the SIG. The Court has also confirmed the roles of those involved in the work of the SIGs. The Engagement Committee has oversight of the current SIGs and there is a SIG Co-ordinator on the Committee to provide guidance and advice as necessary.