Staff disciplinary hearings: guidance and procedures

If you're on a panel, find out what will happen during the hearing, and how to make your decision. Know how to put together a panel, and how to arrange and conduct a hearing as a chair or governance professional.

Last reviewed on 4 February 2026See updates
School types: AllSchool phases: AllRef: 3759
Contents
  1. Your board's role in disciplinary hearings
  2. Who can be on the panel
  3. What happens during the hearing 
  4. Decide on the outcomes

Before you start to arrange a hearing, make sure you know your school or trust's staff disciplinary procedure

This article covers best practice at all stages of arranging and carrying out a staff disciplinary hearing. However, your school may do things differently, so follow your school's policy to make sure you're doing everything right. 

Your board's role in disciplinary hearings

It's usually the headteacher's decision to call a disciplinary hearing. They will send the formal notification of the hearing to the employee.

If it's the headteacher who's the subject of the disciplinary procedure, different considerations apply, and in that case it's usually the chair of governors who will call the hearing.

Hear the case from both sides Ask questions Weigh up the evidence Decide on any disciplinary action to be taken The range of disciplinary action you can impose will be set out in your disciplinary procedures.