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Committee chairs: who they are and what they do

If you need a new committee chair, or you're considering giving it a go yourself, find out what the role involves and what it takes to be qualified.

Last reviewed on 4 March 2024See updates
School types: All•School phases: All•Ref: 3927
Contents
  1. The role in a nutshell
  2. Skills every committee chair should have 
  3. FAQs
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There are different types of committee, depending on why the committee was created and what it's meant to do.

Note – this article is only about permanent (standing) committees. 

The role in a nutshell

Like the chair of the full governing board, a committee chair's primary responsibility is to make sure the committee they head operates effectively. 

  Maintained schools Academies Rules that committees must follow Part 5 of The School Governance (Roles, Procedures and Allowances) (England) Regulations 2013 The committee's terms of reference Your trust's articles of association The committee's terms of reference Statutory duties Directing the clerk to the committee to convene meetings Exercising a casting vote where there is an equal division of votes (provided the chair is a governor – see the 'eligibility' row below) Signing the approved minutes from prior meetings  None – but check your trust's articles of association and your committee's terms of reference Selection of committee chair The chair

Read next

  • Committees: what they are and what they do
  • Governing board committee structures: pick the right one for you
  • Chair of the finance committee: role and responsibilities

Also in "Committees & panels"

  • Boards without committees – the 'circle model' of governance
  • Chair of the finance committee: role and responsibilities
  • Committees: what they are and what they do
  • Governing board committee structures: pick the right one for you
  • How to clerk a finance committee meeting
  • How to clerk a panel hearing
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