Question
The Head Teacher and the chair of governors have fallen out. What do we do?
Answer
First you must establish the reasons for the dispute. If the dispute is personal, does the disagreement spring from a fundamental difference in personality or expectations - if so the services of an arbiter, such as the Vice-Chair or another appropriate governor or even the SIP, could help.
If the breakdown is in regard to the running of the school and where the Chair has a concern regarding the conduct of the Head, this should be dealt with within the framework of the school's discipline procedures. Initially a conduct or performance issue should be raised directly with the Head and efforts made to resolve it by informal meetings between the Head and Chair of Governors and, if appropriate with another governor present. The Chair should make clear what the specific concerns are as well as what is expected from the Head in the future.
If the issue is not resolved and/or the conduct causing concern continues or there is misconduct of a serious nature, then it may be necessary, in line with the school’s discipline procedure, to have an independent person, usually a local authority officer investigate the issues and report to the Chair. On completion of any investigation this might lead to formal action through the schools discipline procedures.
It is important to identify and be aware that, relationships that are effective do depend upon mutual respect for the position of Head and Governors. The Head’s management style may not be appreciated by all governors, but if the school is generally well run, educational expectations are high and achievement are being made in line with expectations, governors should demonstrate trust and confidence and give the Head the benefit of the doubt. Heads who have a professional attitude will encourage and expect their governors to hold them to account.
If over a period of time concerns have been raised over the capability of the Head and informal discussions with the Chair and the performance review process have failed to engender the desired improvement in performance the formal capability procedure might be appropriate. At all times governors should seek the advice and support the local authority whose professional staff ought to guide them in this process.
It is important to take things a step at a time and to gather information and seek confirmation of opinions that might have been hastily formed. Action should not be instigated based on assumptions alone. Establishing what is the basis of the problem is the first step to resolving it and the nature of the problem will usually point the way to a solution.
What ever the nature of the problem, consider the following which may well have a bearing:
- Is the level of challenge and support offered by the Local Authority adequate?
- Is the relationship between the Headteacher and the Local Authority all that it might be?
- Is the relationship between the Governing Body and the Local Authority all that it should be?
- Could or should the Governing Body supplement the service by offering additional support to the Head?
- Is the relationship between the Governing Body and the Local Governor Support service all that it might be?
A useful reference document can be “What governing bodies should expect from schools leaders and what school leaders should expect from governing bodies” This is a joint statement between the National Governors Association and the NAHT and ASCL, setting out the expectations of Governors and Head Teachers, available from the NGA.
This guidance was updated in October 2011.
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