Essential documents

A guide to the law for school governors

All school governors need to know their legal responsibilities and how these fit in with the responsibilities of the headteacher, the Local Authority and the Secretary of State for Education.

The guide to the law for school governors (pdf) sets out the statutory requirements relating to governing body responsibilities. The explanatory text should be read alongside the Law and Guidance sections listed at the end of each chapter, and any information on governance provided by the local authority.

Alternatively, you can download the guide as well as a list of updates, from the associated resources section.

New governors and chairs

Skills audit - NGA (word)

Code of Practice for governors page

governor induction pack (word)

chair of governors welcome pack

Statutory policies

governing body policies checklist (word)

Sample statutory policies

Example school policies with thanks to Ealing schools.

accessibility plan

allowances for governors - no allowances paid

code of conduct - all school staff

complaints policy

educational visits

governor visits (includes proforma)

governor visits proforma

sex and relationship education - high school

sex and relationship education - primary school

race equality and cultural diversity

risk assessments

Other sample documents

ensuring accountability - asking the right questions

headteacher's report

information for prospective governors

questions for a governor discussion

terms of reference - chairs of committee meetings

Other useful documents

governance strategy
Our strategy document with action list for 2009-11 to assist governing bodies (GBs) to become outstanding.

code of conduct for governing bodies

governing body decision planner

initials, acronyms and abbreviations commonly used in education

Ofsted safeguarding checklist for governing bodies

One-to-one tuition guide