A member of Dales Academies Trust
Role of Chair of Local Governing Body
Role Description – Chair of Governors (Based on NGA Guidance 2021)
The chair of the local governing board is a leadership role that provides clear direction to the governing board that work as a team to challenge, support and contribute to the strategic leadership of the school and within the guidance and scheme of delegation of the Dales Academies Trust Board
Governing boards in all types of schools should focus on their core functions:
1. Ensuring there is clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
2. Holding leaders to account for the educational performance of the organisation and its pupils and the performance management of staff
3. Overseeing the financial performance of the organisation and making sure its money is well spent
4. Ensuring the voices of stakeholders are heard
Strategic and Leadership Responsibilities
The chair provides strategic leadership that allows governors to fulfil their functions by:
· Ensuring that there are transparent and effective processes for recruiting and inducting all staff
· Ensuring appropriate governor involvement in the recruitment of senior leaders
· Ensuring the board has good knowledge of the school and has mechanisms in place to obtain and listen to the views of parents, pupils and staff
· Ensuring that the governing board sets a clear vision and strategy for the school
· Ensuring that the governing board and headteacher have a shared vision and sense of purpose
· Leading the board in monitoring the headteachers implementation of the schools strategy
· Setting the culture of the governing board, balancing and valuing both the support and challenge responsibilities
· Ensuring the board acts as a team
· Ensuring that there is a succession plan for the chair, vice chair and any committee chairs
Wider Leadership Responsibilities
The chair has wider leadership responsibilities associated with the role and status of lead governor on the board, such as:
being a first point of contact and playing a leading role in employment matters as required by the adopted procedures of the school/trust e.g. grievance, disciplinary, capability
where required, acting as a first point of contact and respondent in matters raised with the school or trust by external bodies e.g. LA, DfE, ESFA
where required, representing the governing board in its dealings with external partners and be an advocate for the school/trust
attend school events as appropriate and encourage other governors to do so
Developing the Team
Governing boards needs a range of skills and knowledge to carry out their functions effectively. It is the responsibility of the board’s chair to:
· Ensure the board has the required skills and commitment to govern well, and that appointments made fill any identified skills gaps and ensure a diverse team
· Ensure all members of the board have a thorough understanding of their role and receive appropriate induction and ongoing development as required
· Ensure that board members are involved, feel valued and encourage their development
· Ensure members of the board act reasonably and in line with the board’s agreed code of conduct
· Develop a good working relationship with the vice chair, keeping them fully informed and delegating tasks as appropriate
Working with School Leaders
Chairs and school leaders must develop effective working practices which are mutually supportive. It is the responsibility of chair to:
· Ensure that the governing board fulfils its duty of care to the headteacher, including ensuring a safe and secure working environment, a reasonable work-life balance, and support for their wellbeing
· Ensure all board members concentrate on their strategic role and hold the headteacher to account
· Build and encourage a professional relationship with the headteacher which allows for honest conversations, acting as a sounding board and ensuring there are no surprises at meetings
· Meet regularly (normally monthly) with the headteacher
· Oversee and participate in the headteacher performance review, ensuring that appropriate continuing professional development (CPD) is provided
· Ensure that the headteacher provides staff with an understanding of the role of the governing board and acts as link between the two
Influencing improvement and achieving outcomes
The local governing body activities should be focused on school / trust improvement and achieving the best outcomes for pupils. The chair of the board is expected to:
· Ensure the board is involved at a strategic level in the school’s self-evaluation process and that this feeds into its key priorities
· Ensure the board’s business is focused on the strategic priorities
Further Governance Information
- Please click to access the full register of Ainderby Steeple Governors.
- Please click to access the 2021 – 2022 Governance Attendance Register.
It is a statutory requirement to publish any material interests arising from relationships between governors or relationships between governors and school staff including spouses, partners and close relatives.
Mr Kelly (Chair of Governors) is related to Miss Kelly.
