Requirements
You're not always required to give a reference
You only have to give a reference if there's a written agreement with the headteacher to do so.
All references must be fair and accurate.
Find out more about the rights around references here.
The chair should write the headteacher's reference
As the chair works closely with the headteacher, they're best placed to comment on the headteacher's employment at your school.
Fred Birkett and the DfE explained this to us.
Answer any questions about capability
Academies and maintained schools must share written details about capability procedures that have happened in the past 2 years, if prospective employers request this information.
This information must include:
- Why there was a capability procedure
- The length of the proceedings
- What the outcome was
This requirement is set out in the School Staffing (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2012, and paragraph 2.8 of the model funding agreement for academies.
As a reference contains personal data, it's covered under the UK GDPR, so you'll need