What is it and when might I need it?
The chair's action is your ability to make decisions and act on the governing board's behalf where it's not possible for the board to meet (either in-person or virtually).
You should use it only for urgent duties that can't wait.
How do I know when something is urgent?
It's when you believe that not acting now will be seriously detrimental to:
- Your school, or
- Any pupil or their parent, or
- A staff member
What if the chair is absent?
- Maintained schools: if the chair is absent, the vice-chair will have this power
- Academies: check your articles of association to see if they include whether the vice-chair has this power in the chair's absence
How do I activate it?
Maintained school governing board You have this power already, but if possible, you should act in consultation with the headteacher. You must report the action