Southwark Education, Learning and Achievement logo Southwark Education, Learning and Achievement
Sign in

Sign in to Southwark Education, Learning and Achievement or Complete a task any time of day with your dedicated, personalised account Create account

Chair Development and Growth

Chairs of Governors

The chair of governors plays a vital role in driving school improvement by leading the governing board effectively and fostering strong relationships—especially with the headteacher.

Key Responsibilities of the Chair

To be an effective chair, you should:

  • Have a clear understanding of the role and its responsibilities.
  • Ensure the governing board establishes a clear vision, ethos, and strategic direction for the school.
  • Work with the governing board to hold the headteacher accountable for the school’s educational outcomes and staff performance management.
  • Oversee, alongside the board, the school’s financial performance and ensure resources are used efficiently.
  • Make sure all board members understand their roles and responsibilities.
  • Build and maintain strong working relationships with the headteacher, board members, and the clerk (governance professional).
  • Promote succession planning by encouraging leadership development and creating opportunities for personal growth.

 

The Chair Growth Pathway

To support you in your role, we’ve created a Chair Growth Pathway (to be uploaded). The Chair Growth Pathway is a practical, reflective tool designed to support Chairs of Governors at all stages of their leadership journey. It helps evaluate current practice, identify development areas, and plan for ongoing growth.

Key Benefits:

  • Clear Role Definition – Outlines core responsibilities and expectations.
  • Reflective Practice – Encourages self-assessment in a supportive way.
  • Focused Development – Highlights training needs for targeted support.
  • Stronger Leadership – Builds confident governance and better school outcomes.

You’ll also find a wealth of additional information on the Governor Services website to further enhance your knowledge.

Chairs Connect: A Virtual Forum for Leadership, Learning & Support

We’re excited to launch Chairs Connect — a new virtual networking forum designed exclusively for Chairs to share experiences, support one another, and explore best practices in governance.

 What to Expect:

  • Format: Informal, one-hour virtual sessions
  • Frequency: Around 3 times a year
  • Facilitation: Led by a Chair or co-facilitated
  • Structure: Each session will focus on a key theme (e.g., Ofsted, how to lead meetings, setting vision, dealing with complaints, succession planning)
  • Interactive Element: A Chair will kick off with a 10-minute case study, followed by open discussion and peer exchange

We’re aiming to start in October. Date TBC. 

👉 Interested in presenting a case study or sharing feedback? Let us know — we’d love to hear from you!

Please contact Donna Muir Donna-Marie.Muir@southwark.gov.uk and  Selina McClure Selina.McClure@southwark.gov.uk

Training 

All Chairs should complete the following Chair specific training in the first year of becoming a chair. 

Southwark Training –

  • The Effective Chair
  • The Strategic Role of Governance
  • Head Teachers Pay and appraisal

The NGA also offer: Leading Governance Development for Chairs