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Virtual meetings: your complete guide

Learn how to run your virtual meetings effectively with our one-stop shop for chairs and clerks.

Last reviewed on 26 September 2023
School types: All•School phases: All•Ref: 40402
Contents
  1. 1. Prepare for the meeting
  2. 2. At the start of the meeting
  3. 3. During the meeting
  4. 4. After the meeting

You're free to decide if, and how, governors can attend meetings remotely, via phone or video conference. The DfE told us this. 

You can also consider if a blended approach of face-to-face and virtual meetings will work for your board (as per section 3.2, point 12 of the Governance Handbook).

1. Prepare for the meeting

Send out the papers in time
 
Make sure you know:
  1. The date that papers need to be sent out on
  2. Which papers need to go out with the meeting pack (either a paper or electronic version), who is providing them, and which papers link to which agenda item
Remember, attendees must receive any papers at least '7 clear days' before a scheduled meeting (this applies whether you're in a maintained school or an academy – see article 111 of the DfE's model articles, but double check your own).
 
Read the papers yourself

Familiarise yourself with what’s going to be covered, so you'll be less likely