A member of Dales Academies Trust
Role Description – Vice Chair of Governors
Role Purpose
To work closely with the Chair of Governors, supporting the chair in ensuring other governors are fully involved and the governing body work as a team. Along with all governors contribute towards corporate decisions.
Key Roles
- To liaise regularly with the Chair and Headteacher ensuring the vice chair is fully informed
- Take on responsibilities delegated to them by the chair
- Deputise for the chair in their absence
- Establish and foster an effective relationship with the Headteacher and Chief Executive Officer of the Trust based on trust and mutual respect for each other’s roles
- To be seen in school regularly, attend school functions, work with the Local Authority and Chief Executive Officer of the Trust, be accessible to other governors, staff and parents and meet governors from other schools
- To use time effectively by planning the year’s cycle of meetings and a timetable for action in conjunction with the chair
- Ensure governors participation in and between meetings
- To act as a new governor mentor
- To co-ordinate and monitoring the training and development of individual governors and the governing body
- Listen and be a critical friend to the Headteacher
- Attend Local Authority and Trust briefings
- Attend training to fulfil the role
Key Skills
- Leadership
- Management of effective meetings
- Organisation
- Impartiality
- Delegation
- Good time management
- Excellent people skills
Succession planning
Governing boards must plan for the chair’s replacement before they step down – often, the vice chair is an aspiring chair. In such cases, appropriate support and training should be provided to prepare the vice chair for the role of chair and ensure the ongoing effectiveness of the board and the school
