No committees
Maintained school governing boards aren't required to have any committees. So some choose to operate without them – this is also known as the 'circle model'.
Advantages
- It's easier for the chair and headteacher to maintain strategic control of the agenda and decision-making
- There aren't specialisms – so everyone has a degree of proficiency across all areas of governance
- All governors have access to information and reporting at the same time – this can avoid repetition and prevent mixed messages
- It can promote teamwork among governors
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Some decisions can only be made by the full governing board, so it may save discussion time
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No committees means the chair and headteacher may be able to manage communications more effectively, especially if the school is going through significant change or crisis
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There may be fewer meetings, so governor participation may improve
- No need to agree terms of reference or committee membership
The chair and headteacher could have excessive influence