Definitions
Explanations of the terms used in this guidance.
An independent, charitable company limited by guarantee which has a funding agreement with the Secretary of State. Includes those that run one or more academies, including free schools, university technical colleges (UTCs) and studio schools.
Set up by the governing body to which relevant functions are delegated. Committees should take account of guidance for the governing body.
A person who is a governor by virtue of being headteacher at the school or who is an ex-officio foundation governor.
2 or more maintained schools (including local-authority-maintained nursery schools) operating under the governance of a single governing body. This is defined in the Education Act 2002 (section 24).
Funded by the local authority but have more freedom to change the way they operate. They are sometimes supported by representatives from religious groups.
The accountable body for a local-authority-maintained school or federated schools that operate at a strategic level.
Individuals who sit on the governing body of a local-authority-maintained school or federated schools.
The person held to account by the governing body for the operational day-to-day running of the school. Also known as the executive headteacher or principal, depending on the structure of the school or federated schools.
As an ex-officio, a headteacher has an automatic right to a place on the governing body during their employment.
A small group of governors who convene when required, for example to discuss complaints, exclusions, admissions appeals and staff disciplinary.
Local-authority-maintained schools (community schools) includes maintained special schools, maintained nursery schools, foundation and voluntary schools.
This definition is set out in section 39(1) of the Education Act 2002.
General terms which include the executive headteacher, headteacher or principal, as well as other senior employees or staff, depending on the structure of the school or federated schools.
The document that sets out the educational endowment on which the school site is provided and the purposes for which it was granted, for example as a site for a church school.