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Chair of the governing board
- Can the vice-chair cover for the chair? The vice-chair can act as chair when the chair is absent or there is a vacancy in the office of chair. Understand the requirements, and how to manage a chair's leave of absence.
- Chairing meetings: your complete guide Read our top tips on how to chair a full governing board meeting – including how to prepare in advance, stick to time and keep things on track. Download our audit to evaluate how effective your current meetings are.
- Chair of governors: meetings with the headteacher Free sample Make meetings with the headteacher more productive with advice on why you should meet and what you should focus on.
- 'Chair's action': your power to act in cases of urgency As a chair, be clear when you might use the 'chair's action' to make urgent decisions on your board's behalf, and see examples of how other schools do it.
- Chairs: how to work well with your headteacher It's crucial that you and your head work together effectively. Read our experts' advice on how to build and maintain a good relationship.
- Co-chairs on governing boards Can two school governors share the role of chair? We look at guidance from the DfE and a local authority, and highlight a case study from a primary school on shared leadership responsibilities. We also relay expert advice on dividing responsibilities and co-chairing a local governing body.
- Electing a chair/vice-chair: difficulties in filling the post If you are struggling to fill the role of chair or vice-chair, draw on advice from our associate experts on operating without a chair and recruiting externally.
- How to elect a chair and vice-chair of governors As a governing board you must elect a chair and vice-chair of governors. Find out the rules and use our flowchart and checklist to make sure your election process runs smoothly.
- Length of service for a chair of governors There is no restriction on the chair of governors serving successive terms, and no limit on their length of service. Read recommendations for appropriate lengths of service, and understand the benefits of restricting terms of office.
- Removing the chair or vice-chair of governors from office Understand the procedure for removing the chair or vice-chair in maintained schools and academies, and be clear on how the removal may be kept confidential.
- Vice-chair: role and responsibilities Download our role description and see examples of responsibilities from a school and a local authority, to help you get a grip on what it means to be the vice-chair.