http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2002/32/section/21/madeEducation Act 2002Voluntary controlled schoolsVoluntary aided schoolsState schoolsSchool performance and standardsSchool term datesKing's Printer of Acts of Parliament2021-08-03Education Act 2002s. 8585AEducation and Inspections Act 2006s. 74(1)s. 188(3)Education Act 2002s. 86(1)Education and Inspections Act 2006s. 74(2)(c)s. 188(3)Education Act 2002s. 86(2)Education and Inspections Act 2006s. 74(2)(c)s. 188(3)Education Act 2002s. 88(2)-(7)Education and Inspections Act 2006s. 74(3)s. 188(3)Education Act 2002s. 29(2A)-(2D)Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009s. 260(4)s. 269(3)Education Act 2002s. 85A(5)Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009Sch. 12 para. 34s. 269(4)art. 2Sch. 1Education Act 2002specified provision(s)The Education Act 2002 (Commencement No. 6 and Transitional and Saving Provisions) (Amendment) Order 2005art. 2Education Act 2002s. 85AEducation Act 2011s. 31(2)s. 82(2)(b)Education Act 2002s. 29BEducation and Skills Act 2008s. 157s. 173(3)(4)Education Act 2002s. 210AEducation and Skills Act 2008Sch. 1 para. 79s. 173(3)(4)Education Act 2002specified provision(s)The Education (Hazardous Equipment and Materials) (England) Regulations 2004Sch.Education Act 2002s. 27(1A)Children, Schools and Families Act 2010s. 4(1)s. 27s. 29(5)Education Act 2002s. 88(7)The Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 (Consequential Amendments) (England and Wales) Order 2010Sch. 1 para. 45Sch. 2 Pt. 1art. 2(3)art. 1(2)(a)(b)Education Act 2002s. 142(9)(b)The Local Education Authorities and Children’s Services Authorities (Integration of Functions) Order 2010The Local Education Authorities and Children's Services Authorities (Integration of Functions) Order 2010Sch. 2 para. 11(10)(b)art. 1Education Act 2002Pt. 8AEmployment Rights Act 2025Sch. 4 para. 1Contains power in ss. 148B, 148H, 148J, 148K, 148N, 148Os. 159(3)Education Act 2002Sch. 12AEmployment Rights Act 2025Sch. 4 para. 2Sch. 4 para. 5s. 159(3)Education Act 2002Sch. 2 para. 10AEmployment Rights Act 2025Sch. 4 para. 4(a)s. 159(3)Part 3Maintained schoolsChapter 1Government of maintained schools
21General responsibility for conduct of school(1)

Subject to any other statutory provision, the conduct of a maintained school shall be under the direction of the school’s governing body.

(2)

The governing body shall conduct the school with a view to promoting high standards of educational achievement at the school.

(3)

Regulations may—

(a)

set out terms of reference for governing bodies of maintained schools,

(b)

define the respective roles and responsibilities in relation to the conduct of a maintained school (whether generally or with respect to particular matters) of—

(i)

the local education authority,

(ii)

the governing body, and

(iii)

the head teacher, and

(c)

confer functions on governing bodies and head teachers of such schools.

(4)

The governing body of a maintained school shall, in discharging their functions, comply with—

(a)

the instrument of government, and

(b)

(subject to any other statutory provision) any trust deed relating to the school.