Division of responsibilities: governing board and headteacher

Learn about the division of responsibilities between the board and the headteacher, and read advice on keeping your role strategic, not operational.

Last reviewed on 11 June 2024
School types: AllSchool phases: AllRef: 3335
Contents
  1. Overview
  2. In more detail
  3. Role comparison in key areas of school life
  4. Why the responsibilities are divided like this
  5. Governors can intervene in operational matters in rare situations

In more detail

Governors' role

The core functions of the governing board are to make sure that:

  • The vision, ethos and strategic direction of the school are all clearly defined
  • The headteacher performs their responsibilities for the educational performance of the school
  • The use of the school's financial resources is sound, proper and effective 

Find our overview of the 3 core functions here

Governors must:

  • Act with integrity, objectivity and honesty and in the best interests of the school
  • Be open about the decisions they make and the actions they take and shall be prepared to explain their decisions and actions to interested parties

You'll find the role set out in this way in the maintained schools governance guide in section 1.1, and the School Governance (Roles, Procedures and Allowances) (England) Regulations 2013.

Headteacher's role

The internal organisation, management and control of the school  The educational performance of the school Along with others, leading,