Division of responsibilities: headteacher and governing board

Understand the difference between strategic and operational responsibilities, and download a checklist of key tasks that governing boards should perform to meet their statutory duties. Find questions your board might ask to support and challenge your decisions.

Last reviewed on 25 March 2024See updates
School types: AllSchool phases: AllRef: 231
Contents
  1. The roles: overview
  2. Division of responsibilities
  3. Key tasks your governing board should perform
  4. Governor questions
  5. Tips for working well with your chair

The roles: overview

  • Headteachers should be operational and focus on the day-to-day management of the school. They should implement the vision and strategy, and report to governors on progress
  • Governors should be strategic and focus on the long-term vision for the school. They should hold the headteacher to account for how the vision and strategy is implemented

Your role as a headteacher: 

  • Manage, organise and control the school
  • Be accountable for the educational performance of the school  
  • Along with others, lead, develop and support the strategic direction, vision, values and priorities of the school
  • Develop, implement and evaluate the school’s policies, practices and procedures
  • Lead and manage teaching and learning throughout the school
  • Report to the governing board

These responsibilities are outlined in the School Governance (Roles, Procedures and Allowances) (England) Regulations 2013 and the School Teachers' Pay and Conditions Document (STPCD) (see section 46 more detail). 

In maintained schools The governing board is responsible for making sure: The