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Staff capability policy and procedures: model and examples

Download and adapt our model staff capability policy, or use our checklist to make sure your own policy covers everything it should. Plus, see examples from a primary school, secondary school and multi-academy trust.

Last reviewed on 5 September 2024See updates
Ref: 41544
Statutory/mandatory for:
Maintained schools
Contents
  1. Your requirements
  2. Download and adapt our model staff capability policy
  3. Use our checklist to write and review your own capability procedures
  4. Who to consult before introducing this policy
  5. See examples of school and trust policies 

Your requirements

Maintained schools are required to have a teacher capability policy.

All other schools: there's no statutory requirement for you to have this policy. However, as under the Employment Rights Act 1996 you can dismiss a member of staff for capability reasons, your school should also have a capability of staff policy that you can refer to in these instances.

Download and adapt our model staff capability policy

Our policy has been approved by Forbes Solicitors and was developed in consultation with the school leaders' union, NAHT.

It's based on the DfE's model capability policy and the Acas code of practice on disciplinary and grievance procedures.

Please note: this policy is aimed primarily at maintained schools, academies and trusts, but you can adapt it to suit any school. If you wish to use the policy in a different type of setting, we recommend you check this policy against any requirements or