Governing strategically in your school or academy trust: resources
Published 24 September 2025
Applies to England
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The strategic role of the board
Effective boards work strategically and focus on oversight, accountability and future planning.
This approach allows executive leaders to focus on operational matters and be responsible for day-to-day management.
The following table gives examples of common operational scenarios and how they might be handled strategically.
| Operational scenario | Strategic focus |
|---|---|
| Filling current school vacancies | Developing a strategy to attract, retain, and develop talent across leadership and teaching staff – in single school contexts, the governing body or academy trust board may also be involved more directly in recruitment |
| Responding to an in-year budget shortfall | Exploring long-term financial sustainability, income diversification and shared service models |
| Procuring and installing a new software system | Aligning digital investments with strategic goals for learning, efficiency and organisational coherence |
| Managing an individual parental complaint | Embedding a culture of transparency and trust through policy and proactive stakeholder engagement |
| Drafting a termly communications plan for parents or carers and staff | Developing a communications strategy |
DfE has the following guidance:
- Maintained schools governance guide: sections 1, 2 and 3.1 outline the strategic responsibilities of the governing board
- Academy trust governance guide: sections 3 and 6.1 outline the role of the academy trust board and its strategic responsibilities
Resources: the strategic role and duties of the board
Academy trust governance code – outlines how the board should focus on strategy, not operational matters in principle 4.
Role descriptions for governors and academy trustees – model role descriptors for maintained school governing bodies and academy trusts.
Being strategic: a guide for boards and leaders – strategy development for those leading and governing in schools and multi-academy trusts.
Next-gen governance – tech-savvy advice on reducing workload burdens through academy trust boards remaining strategic.
What governing boards and school leaders should expect from each other – guidance for maintained-school governing bodies, academy trust boards and school leaders to understand each other’s roles.
Taking stock of governance workload – exploring workload pressures, potential solutions and the principle of remaining strategic in maintained schools and academy trusts.
The strategic role of the chair
Chairs are skilled in strategic facilitation and help boards stay aligned with their core purpose. Where necessary, they refocus discussion to ensure that governance time remains centred on oversight, accountability and future planning.
Resources: the strategic role of the chair
Role description for chairs – draws on DfE guidance and the academy trust governance code, and includes some of the main qualities of a good chair.
Role description for governing board chairs – outlines the importance of this leadership role in maintained schools and academy trusts.
Time management tips for chairs – research and advice on the time required as a governor or academy trustee and opportunities to streamline processes.