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Fulfilling the Chair's Role Programme

A CPD-accredited programme supporting chairs of governors to lead effective boards through strategic leadership, challenge, teamwork & best practice.

About the programme

Fulfilling the Chair’s Role is a CPD‑accredited programme designed to support chairs of governors and trustees in leading highly effective boards in maintained schools and academy trusts.

Governance guidance makes clear that the chair, supported by the vice chair, is responsible for the effective functioning of the board. This includes setting expectations, providing leadership and direction, ensuring accountability, and enabling all governors to contribute effectively. For those new to the role, this responsibility can feel challenging; for experienced chairs, it presents an opportunity to reflect, refine, and reinvigorate leadership practice.

This bespoke programme builds confidence, capability, and strategic leadership, supporting chairs to lead boards that are focused, professional, and impactful.

Who is the programme for?

This programme is suitable for new chairs, aspiring chairs, and experienced chairs seeking to strengthen leadership, enhance board effectiveness, and maximise governance impact.

What's covered?

Fulfilling the Chair’s role is an accredited three-part programme, consisting of two 1:1 sessions (two hours each) and an observation of the chair in action at a board meeting.

Through the three sessions, we will cover:

  • how the chair is key to successful and strategic effective governance
  • the chairs’ role in ensuring the board fulfils the three core functions
  • an observation to see the chair in action with feedback to support practice and board development
  • how developing professional working relationships based on trust contributes to school improvement and better outcomes for pupils.

Our experienced facilitators will support you to develop an action plan that will empower you to improve your own practice, lead more effective meetings, overcome challenges, and build a team that will result in more effective governance for your board.

Not quite ready for this programme?

We offer a Running an Effective Meeting session as part of our Governor Services Training Package which is also suitable for chairs of committees and vice chairs to support succession planning.

The course will explore:

  • the relationship of the Chair with others within the governance role
  • the role of a Chair within a meeting
  • scenarios.