Chair of the governing board
- 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 of trustees: how to work effectively with your CEO Get tips on how to develop and nurture a positive working relationship with your CEO so you can support your trust.
- '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.
- 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.
- How to make co-chairing work for you Get a reality check on 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 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 Get 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-chair All 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.