The Chair and Vice Chair are elected by governors, usually at the Autumn Term meeting, for a term of office agreed by the governing body.
Most governing bodies choose to elect the chair each year, however a chair can be elected for up to four years. The Chair of governors has an important role in ensuring the governing body works effectively.
The Chair should be someone who can manage time well. This will ensure that meetings are conducted efficiently and legally as well as enabling each governor to take part in the meeting.
Staff governors cannot be elected as chair.
Between meetings the chair should:
- Help prepare the agenda with the head teacher and the clerk
- Deal with emergency situations
- Be a point of contact for the Local Authority (LA), the Local Authority (LA), the Department for Children, Schools and their Families (DfCSF) and the Office for Standards in Education (OFSTED)
- Represent the school in discussions with parents the LA and other organisations and individuals
- Provide advice and support for the head teacher and other governors between meetings
The Vice Chair of the governing body acts as chair in the absence of the chair of governors.
