The School Governance (Roles, Procedures and Allowances) (England) Regulations 2013

6.—(1) The functions of the governing body include the following core functions —

(a) ensuring that the vision, ethos and strategic direction of the school are clearly defined;

(b) ensuring that the head teacher performs his or her responsibilities for the educational performance of the school; and

(c) ensuring the sound, proper and effective use of the school’s financial resources.

(2) In exercising their functions the governing body shall—

(a) act with integrity, objectivity and honesty and in the best interests of the school; and

(b) be open about the decisions they make and the actions they take and in particular shall be prepared to explain their decisions and actions to interested parties.

(3) The governing body must appoint a clerk with a view to ensuring their efficient functioning and must have regard to advice from the clerk as to the nature of the governing body’s functions.

(4) The head teacher’s responsibilities include—

(a) the internal organisation, management and control of the school; and

(b) the educational performance of the school.

(5) The head teacher is accountable to the governing body for the performance of all his or her responsibilities.

(6) The head teacher must comply with any reasonable direction of the governing body.

(7) In this regulation the term “governing body” includes the temporary governing body of a new school.