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Governors' and trustees' codes of conduct: models and examples

Make your expectations clear with our model code of conduct. It sets out what you can expect from governors and trustees, from core responsibilities to professional behaviours.

Last reviewed on 30 April 2024See updates
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Contents
  1. Download our model code of conduct
  2. Review annually
  3. Trust examples
  4. Updates to our model policy

Download our model code of conduct

Our model code of conduct:

  • Is approved by Forbes Solicitors
  • Is designed so you can adapt it to your trust's context and set it across your trust, so local governors can sign up to it too
  • Takes account of relevant requirements and good practice
Model code of conduct: trustees/local governors (academies) DOCX, 674.2 KB
Download

Tailor the document to reflect:

  • Your scheme of delegation
  • Any other relevant policies that your trustees/local governors must follow (e.g. social media and IT policies)
  • Whether your constitutional documents (i.e. articles of association, funding agreement) set out specific requirements for governance procedures and conduct

Make sure all trustees and local governors read and agree to the code of conduct, alongside any other relevant documents or requirements. 

It's not a statutory requirement for you to have a code of conduct, but the academy trust governance guide (section 1.1.4) says that 'effective boards create and maintain a code of conduct'.

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