All schools must have a committee that considers pay, and academy trusts must have an audit committee. Beyond this, there are no set requirements as to committee structures that governing boards must set up. Many governing boards establish committees to assist in carrying out their work and may delegate some governing board functions to those committees. However a growing number of governing  boards are choosing to work without committees, reporting a reduction in repetition and every governor having a more holistic understanding of governance.

Where committees are used, the governing board must determine the membership and proceedings of any committee. The governing board must also regularly review the establishment, terms of reference, constitution and membership. Each committee must have a chair, who is either appointed by the governing board or elected by the committee.

The governing board must also appoint a clerk to each committee. It is the responsibility of the clerk to a committee to convene meetings of the committee; attend meetings of the committee and ensure minutes are taken; perform such other functions with respect to the committee as may be determined by the governing board from time to time.

It is good practice to establish an annual pattern of committee meetings for the governing board, and to consider when tasks delegated to committees will be carried out.

It is worth noting that committee membership is one of the pieces of information that must be published on a school website. 

Governing boards can choose the structure and make up of their committees.  Please follow the links below to information on two more complex committees

Pupil Discipline Committee

Finance Committee