The role of the Chair of Governors

The role of the chair of governors

As the principal link between the governing body and the headteacher, the chair of the governing body bears additional responsibilities.

The headteacher and the chair of the governing body should meet regularly at mutually convenient times to discuss school matters.

The chair should be prepared to undertake any necessary additional training, and to attend local
authority (or other locality) briefing meetings in order to fulfil her/his role. This expectation should be underpinned with the appropriate budget commitment for training and expenses.

The chair must have regard to the limitations stipulated in government guidance when exercising ‘chair’s action’:

The chair or vice chair has the power to carry out functions of the governing body if a delay in exercising a function is likely to be seriously detrimental to the interests of the school, a pupil at the school or their parents, or a person who works at the school. This
power excludes matters related to the alteration and closure of schools, change of school category, change of school name, approval of the budget, discipline policies and admissions. Any action taken under this power must be reported to the governing body.

(Ch 3 Para 48, A Guide to the Law for School Governors)

Taken from a joint document entitled 'What governing bodies should expect from school leaders and what school leaders should expect from governing bodies' The document was written in 2008 by the NGA (National Governors Association) working together with the two main headteacher’s unions, the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) and the National Association of Headteachers (NAHT).

http://www.nga.org.uk/uploadfiles/documents/HEGagreementamended.pdf