Role of the governing board
Maintained schools
Governing boards are responsible for the appraisal of their executive leader, whether this be a headteacher or an executive headteacher, as per page 95 of the Governance Handbook.
The Education (School Teachers’ Appraisal) (England) Regulations 2012 set out the requirements for reviewing headteacher performance in maintained schools.
Although these regulations don't specifically mention executive headteachers, a Department for Education (DfE) representative confirmed that they apply to all teachers employed in maintained schools, including executive headteachers.
For more information on the statutory requirements for headteacher appraisal, take a look at our article on the step-by-step appraisal process.
Academies
Trust boards are free to decide on their own appraisal arrangements. They can also follow the requirements for maintained schools if they want to.
See page 95 of the Governance Handbook, linked above.