Chairs of Governors

Chairs of Governors are invited to attend regular Chairs' Briefings with Paul Burnett, Director for Children and Young People.  The last set of meetings took place in October.  Dates for 2009 have not yet been set and will be posted here as soon as they are arranged. 

What should the Chair of Governors do?

The Chair should:

• ensure that meetings are run effectively - making sure that they start and finish on time, that agenda items are properly introduced, that people are encouraged to contribute and that decisions are taken when necessary and minuted
• help the governing body work as a team - by recognising and using people's strengths, delegating effectively, clarifying objectives and using the whole governing body by creating committees and small groups to develop new ideas, work out plans of action and to cover contentious or difficult areas of planning.  Define, with the governing body, a clear understanding of the roles of the Chair, Vice Chair, the other governors and the professionals within the school
• work with the Headteacher and make time to listen to concerns and give constructive advice, talk through disagreements before governing body meetings, work together on effective school policies
• carry out any duties delegated by the governing body, be seen in school regularly, attend school functions or make sure another governor represents them, work with the LA, be accessible to other governors, staff and parents, meet governors from other schools
• use time effectively, their own and other people's - plan the year's cycle of meetings and a timetable for action and reports - plan for effective meetings
• make it clear that all governors must accept collective responsibility for decisions taken at governors' meetings.

Chairs of Governors have no special power to take decisions on behalf of governors unless there has been a resolution of the whole governing body to delegate a specific authority.  However, they do have the power to take action if the matter is urgent (i.e. where delay would be seriously harmful to the school, or to any pupil or member of staff, and it would not be reasonably practicable to hold a governors' meeting) and if it concerns one of the functions that can be delegated.  Any urgent action the Chair or Vice Chair takes on behalf of the governing body should be reported at the next meeting.

For further information, please book on to the Taking the Chair training course.   

Are you a new Chair of Governors?

Please ensure that we have your details by contacting us via your clerk or on governors@northamptonshire.gov.uk. 

You can check that your governing body details are correct by visiting the Schools Directory, search for your school and click onto the Governing Body link.