What makes chairs of governing bodies effective

Leading and developing the team To ensure the board has the required skills to govern well, and that appointments made fill any identified skills gaps. To ensure that board members feel valued and encourage their development. To ensure that there is a plan for succession for the chair, vice-chair and any committee chairs, and that by recommending limits on office, there is always a mix of new and experienced members.

The chair, the headteacher and accountability To build a professional relationship with the headteacher which allows for honest. To meet regularly with the headteacher, which in normal circumstances is likely to be monthly. To ensure that there are transparent and effective processes for the recruitment and induction of the headteacher. To ensure all governors concentrate on their strategic role, receive information fit for purpose and hold the headteacher to account. To ensure that the headteacher provides staff with an understanding of the role of the governing board and acts as link between the two.

Where required, represent the governing board in its dealings with external partners and be an advocate for the school. To ensure that complaints made to the governing board are dealt with in a timely and effective manner. The chair will also play a lead role in any decision to suspend the headteacher.

To take the lead in representing the governing board at relevant external meetings with agencies such as Ofsted, the Department for Education and the local authority.

To ensure the board has mechanisms in place to obtain and listen to the views of parents, pupils and staff. Chair meetings effectively and promote an open culture on the governing board that allows ideas and discussion to thrive whilst ensuring clear decisions are reached as quickly as possible.

They should give all members a chance to participate in discussions and in decision-making. The Chair plays a pivotal role in setting the culture of the governing body and in providing the necessary focus and leadership. However, the Chair has no individual power beyond that of any other governor. The governing body is a corporate entity and its power and authority rest with the body, as a whole. The relationship between Head teacher and the Chair is a crucial one.

The two must work closely together and support each other in a relationship that requires honesty and mutual respect. Leading Governors: The Role of the Chair of Governors in Schools and Academies likens the role to that of the Chair of a board of trustees who works with the chief executive of an organisation but does not run day-to-day operations. In this respect, the Chair must always remember that their role is a strategic one and avoid being drawn into day-to-day management of the school.

An effective Chair must have the skills to provide the governing body with a clear lead and direction, ensuring that the governors work as a team and understand their own roles. A thorough knowledge of the school is important. The Chair will need to have a view about attracting governors who have the necessary skills and will work together.

They should ensure that necessary tasks are delegated effectively so that all members contribute and feel that their individual skills, knowledge and experience are well used and that the overall workload is shared.

Being able to work with a range of different people and get the best out of them is a particular skill that the Chair will either bring to the role or need to develop. Acting as a champion for equality and diversity is also an important quality in a Chair, as is the need to encourage the culture of self-evaluation and review that is essential to well-performing organisations. The vice Chair is responsible for providing support to the Chair. They will also assume the role and responsibilities of the Chair in case of their temporary absence, for instance, due to sickness or holiday, etc.

In addition to standing-in for the Chair if required, the vice Chair may also be delegated specific areas of responsibility, such as overseeing governors training, etc. All governors should access appropriate training in order to maintain their effectiveness, including chairs and vice chairs. A range of training and development opportunities are available.

These vary from local courses and events set up by local authorities and school networks, to national programmes delivered either face-to-face or through web-based e-Learning by accredited bodies.

Courses provide chairs, vice chairs and clerks with opportunities to develop their leadership capabilities and become more confident in their governance skills. The programmes include face-to-face workshops focusing on leadership development and dedicated mentor support. UK website. Skip to main content. You are viewing free content from a subscription product Croner-i is a comprehensive knowledge and resource platform that enables professionals to stay ahead of change in their industry, with legislation, trends and best practice.

Printable version Share. Last reviewed 2 April Martin Hodgson, a former school governor, focuses on the roles of the Chair and vice Chair of a governing body. Responsibilities of the Chair The role of the Chair is a critical one in school governance. The core functions are defined in the handbook as: ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction holding executive leaders to account for the educational performance of the organisation and its pupils, and the performance management of staff overseeing the financial performance of the organisation and making sure its money is well spent.

Other key aspects of the Chairs leadership role include: ensuring that the governing body conducts its business properly and in accordance with the law and its constituted powers running meetings of the governing body effectively, focusing on priorities and making the best use of the time available giving all members a chance to participate in discussions and decision-making establishing and maintaining an effective relationship with the Head teacher.

Filling the role The Chair is an elected post. Competencies The Competency Framework for Governance , published by the DfE in January , sets out the knowledge and skills that an effective Chair is considered to require.

The competencies required for an effective Chair listed in the guidance include the ability to: think strategically about the future direction of the school lead governors in ensuring operational decisions contribute to strategic priorities provide effective leadership of organisational change even when this is difficult lead board meetings in a way which embodies the culture, values and ethos of the school. Relationship with the Head teacher The relationship between Head teacher and the Chair is a crucial one.

Building and leading a team An effective Chair must have the skills to provide the governing body with a clear lead and direction, ensuring that the governors work as a team and understand their own roles.