Virtual meetings policy: model and examples
Adapt and adopt our model policy so you can be confident everyone knows what's expected when meetings are fully or partly virtual.
Updated
on 30 April 2024See updates- Download our model policy
- Approving the policy
- Example policies from schools and trusts
It's up to your board to decide whether governors and trustees can attend meetings remotely by phone or video call. The DfE told us this.
The pandemic has shown that boards are capable of adapting to remote working (read more about this from Governors for Schools), and it may make sense to continue giving your board members this option.
If you're a chair or governance professional, take a look at our article on virtual meetings for more guidance.
Download our model policy
Model Policy: virtual meetings
Our policy is:
- Designed for you to adapt to suit your context
- In line with relevant requirements and good practice
- Approved by Forbes Solicitors
Approving the policy
This policy isn't statutory, so there aren't any rules on who should approve it.
You can:
- Approve it as part of a virtual meeting – if you're the clerk/governance professional, be sure to minute this decision
- Use the chair's action to approve it (in an emergency)
Example policies from schools and trusts
- Soar Valley College, a secondary academy in Leicester, has a governors' virtual attendance policy
- The Children's Endeavour Trust is made up of 8 schools and has a policy for virtual trustee and governor meetings (see 'virtual governance policy')
- Up Holland High School in Lancashire (see 'virtual meeting attendance')