Chair of the governing board
- Chairing meetings: your complete guideRead our top tips on how to chair a full board meeting – including how to prepare in advance, stick to time and keep things on track. Use our audit to evaluate how effective your meetings are.
- Chair of governors: meetings with the headteacherMake meetings with the headteacher more productive with our advice on why you should meet and what you should focus on.
- Chair of trustees: how to work effectively with your CEOGet tips on how to develop a positive working relationship with your CEO so you can support your trust effectively.
- 'Chair's action': your power to act in cases of urgencyAs 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 headteacherIt's crucial that you and your headteacher work together effectively. Learn how to build and maintain a good relationship.
- How to elect a chair and vice-chair for your boardAs a governing board you must elect a chair and vice-chair. Get to grips with the rules, and use our flowchart to make sure your election process runs smoothly.
- How to make co-chairing work for youFind out how co-chairing can work in practice, so you can decide if it’s the best model for you. Save time with our template so you can make a considered proposal to your governing board.
- Length of service for a chair of governorsThere's no limit on the length of service for a chair of governors. Understand the benefits of restricting terms of office, including spreading good practice, boosting diversity and developing a strong board.
- Removing the chair or vice-chair of governors from officeUnderstand the procedure for removing the chair or vice-chair in maintained schools and academies, and be clear on how the removal could be kept confidential.
- Vice-chair: role and responsibilitiesGet to grips with what it means to be a vice-chair with our downloadable role description, and see examples of responsibilities from a school and a local authority.
- What to do when you're struggling to find a chair or vice-chairAll boards are required to have both a chair and a vice-chair. If you're struggling to fill either post, we have a step-by-step plan for how to manage the situation effectively.