Legalize / United Kingdom / Wales / Welsh-Statutory-Instrument

The Federation of Maintained Schools (Wales) Regulations 2014

Type Welsh-Statutory-Instrument

Publication 2014-04-29

Last updated 2022-02-04

State In force

Jurisdiction Wales

Department King's Printer of Acts of Parliament

Source legislation.gov.uk

PDF Download

articles Not indexed

Reform history JSON API

Made: 29 April 2014

Laid before the National Assembly for Wales: 30 April 2014

Coming into force: 22 May 2014

The Welsh Ministers, in exercise of the powers conferred on the National Assembly for Wales in sections 19(2), (3) and (8), 20(2), (3) and (4A), 34(5), 35(4) and (5), 36(4) and (5), 210(7), and 214 of the Education Act 2002 and now vested in them[^f00001] and in exercise of their powers in sections 6, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 18 and 32 of the Education (Wales) Measure 2011[^f00002] make the following Regulations:

PART 1 — INTRODUCTION

Title, commencement and application

1

(1) The title of these Regulations is the Federation of Maintained Schools (Wales) Regulations 2014 and they come into force on 22 May 2014.

(2) These Regulations apply in relation to Wales.

Revocation, transitional provisions and savings

2

(1) Subject to paragraph (3) Parts 1 to 13 of, and Schedules 1 to 10 to, the Federation of Maintained Schools and Miscellaneous Amendments (Wales) Regulations 2010[^f00003] (“the 2010 Federation Regulations”) are revoked.

(2) A school federated in accordance with the 2010 Federation Regulations must reconstitute its governing body in accordance with these Regulations when the first of the following occurs—

(a) a school joins the federation; or

(b) within one year of the coming into force of these Regulations.

(3) Until the first of the events specified in paragraph (2) the composition of the governing body of a school federated may continue to be in accordance with Part 4 of the 2010 Federation Regulations.

Interpretation

3

(1) In these Regulations—

“the 1996 Act” (“Deddf 1996”) means the Education Act 1996[^f00004];

“the 1998 Act” (“Deddf 1998”) means the School Standards and Framework Act 1998[^f00005];

“the 2002 Act” (“Deddf 2002”) means the Education Act 2002;

“the 2011 Measure” (“Mesur 2011”) means the Education (Wales) Measure 2011[^f00006];

“the 2013 Act” (“Deddf 2013”) means the School Standards and Organisation (Wales) Act 2013[^f00007];

“acting head teacher” (“pennaeth dros dro”) means a person appointed to carry out the functions of the head teacher of the federation or of a federated school, pending the appointment of a head teacher or in the absence of the head teacher;

“appropriate diocesan authority” (“awdurdod esgobaethol priodol”) has the meaning given by section 142(1) and (4) of the 1998 Act;

“appropriate religious body” (“corff crefyddol priodol”) in relation to a school designated under section 69(3) of the 1998 Act as having a religious character that is not a Church in Wales school or a Roman Catholic Church school, means the body that the Welsh Ministers consider appropriate in relation to the religion or religious denomination to which the school belongs;

“day” (“diwrnod”) means school day as defined by section 579 of the 1996 Act;

“the federation date” (“y dyddiad ffedereiddio”) means the date on which governing bodies federate;

“governing body” (“corff llywodraethu”) means a governing body incorporated under section 19(1) of the 2002 Act or these Regulations as appropriate;

“the Government of Maintained Schools Regulations” (“y Rheoliadau Llywodraethu Ysgolion a Gynhelir”) means the Government of Maintained Schools (Wales) Regulations 2005[^f00008];

“local authority” (“awdurdod lleol”) means the local authority in Wales by which a maintained school is, or a proposed school is to be, maintained; and where a federation includes schools maintained by different local authorities in Wales, “relevant local authority” (“awdurdod lleol perthnasol”) means the local authority by which a maintained school is, or a proposed school is to be, maintained;

“local authority federation” (“ffederasiwn awdurdod lleol”) means a federation containing at least one federated school that has been federated by virtue of section 11 of the 2011 Measure (proposal by local authorities to federate schools) and by these Regulations;

“the New Maintained Schools Regulations” (“y Rheoliadau Ysgolion a Gynhelir Newydd”) means the New Maintained Schools (Wales) Regulations 2005[^f00009];

“new school” (“ysgol newydd”) has the same meaning as in regulation 3 of the New Maintained Schools Regulations;

“pupil” (“disgybl”) has the meaning given by section 3 of the 1996 Act;

“school council” (“cyngor ysgol”) means a council established in accordance with regulation 3 of the School Councils Regulations;

“the School Council Regulations” (“y Rheoliadau Cynghorau Ysgol”) means the School Councils (Wales) Regulations 2005[^f00010];

“school teacher” (“athro neu athrawes ysgol”) is to be interpreted in accordance with section 122 of the 2002 Act;

“small school” (“ysgol fach”) is to be interpreted in accordance with an Order made under section 15 of the 2011 Measure;

“school organisation proposal functions” (“swyddogaethau cynigion trefniadaeth ysgolion”) means the functions in sections 42, 43, 45, 53 and 80 of the 2013 Act;

“the Staffing Regulations” (“y Rheoliadau Staffio”) means the Staffing of Maintained Schools (Wales) Regulations 2006[^f00011] and;

“working day” (“diwrnod gwaith”) means any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day which is a bank holiday within the meaning of section 1 of the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971[^f00012].

(2) Any reference in these Regulations to—

(a) the governing body or governors of a school is to be construed, in relation to a federated school, as a reference to the governing body or governors of the federation;

(b) the instrument of government of a school is to be construed, in relation to a federated school, as a reference to the instrument of government of the federation; and

PART 2 — ESTABLISHING OR JOINING A FEDERATION

General

4

(1) A federation may comprise of at least two but no more than six of the following—

(a) community schools, community special schools and maintained nursery schools[^f00013] (and no other category of school);

(b) foundation schools[^f00014] (and no other category of school); or

(2) Regulations 5 to 7 apply where governing bodies propose to federate in accordance with section 10 of the 2011 Measure.

(3) Regulation 8 applies where it is proposed to establish a new school and either—

(a) the temporary governing body wish to federate with one or more governing bodies; or

(b) the local authority or, where the school is to be a foundation or voluntary school proposals for the establishment of which were published by promoters, the promoters propose that the school should be a federated school.

(4) Regulations 9 and 10 apply where a local authority exercises its power to federate schools in accordance with section 11 of the 2011 Measure.

(5) Regulations 11 and 12 apply where a local authority exercises its power to federate small schools in accordance with section 11 of the 2011 Measure.

Procedure for federation – governing body proposed

5

(1) Where a governing body is considering federation, it must first consider a report on the proposal.

(2) The report must be specified as an item on the agenda for the meeting of which notice has been given in accordance with regulation 57(4).

(3) Where a governing body proposes that it should federate with the governing body of a federation, it must give notice of the proposal to the governing body of the federation.

(4) Upon receipt of the notice, the governing body of the federation must consider whether it should—

(a) give preliminary consent to the governing body joining the federation; or

(b) determine that the governing body should not join the federation.

Publication of proposals – governing body proposed

6

(1) Where a governing body decides that it should federate with one or more other governing bodies and, where necessary, preliminary consent in accordance with regulation 5(4)(a) has been given, they must jointly with the other governing body or bodies publish proposals for federation.

(2) The proposals must contain the following—

(a) the name or names of the governing body or bodies with which the governing body proposes to federate and confirmation that the governing body, or those governing bodies, have resolved likewise to federate;

(b) the proposed size of the governing body of the federation;

(d) the proposed arrangements for staffing the schools within the federation;

(e) the proposed federation date;

(f) the identity of the admission authority or authorities for the schools within the federation;

(g) the date, not less than six weeks after the publication of the proposals, by which written representations may be made to the governing body regarding the proposals and the address to which they should be sent; and

(h) such other matters as the governing bodies consider appropriate.

(3) The governing bodies proposing to federate must publish the proposals by sending them to—

(a) the relevant local authorities;

(b) the head teacher of each school;

(d) in the case of any school with a foundation—

(i) the foundation governors; and

(ii) any trustees of a trust relating to the school;

(e) where any of the schools are designated under section 69(3) of the 1998 Act as having a religious character, the appropriate diocesan authority in the case of a Church in Wales or Roman Catholic Church school, or the appropriate religious body in the case of any other such school;

(f) all staff paid to work at any of the schools;

(g) every person known by them to be a parent of a registered pupil at any of the schools;

(h) every trade union known to them to have members paid to work at any of the schools; and

(i) such other persons as the governing bodies consider appropriate.

(4) A copy of the proposals must be made available for inspection at all reasonable times at each school.

(5) The proposed federation date in paragraph (2)(e) must be not less than 125 days following the publication of the proposals for federation by the governing body pursuant to paragraph (1).

Consideration of responses to proposals and determination as to whether to proceed – governing body proposed

7

(1) The governing bodies proposing to federate must jointly consider any responses to the proposals and each governing body must determine whether—

(a) to proceed with the proposals for federation as published;

(b) to proceed with the proposals for federation with such modifications as the governing body considers appropriate; or

(2) The modifications referred to in paragraph (1)(b) must not include a change in the identity of the governing bodies proposing to federate.

(3) All the governing bodies that have determined to proceed must jointly give notice of that fact to the relevant local authority or local authorities.

New schools wishing to federate

8

(1) Where it is proposed that a new school should federate with one or more schools or a federation, paragraph (2) or (3) applies as appropriate.

(2) Where a temporary governing body has been established, regulations 5 to 7 have effect as if references to a governing body proposing to federate were references to a temporary governing body proposing to federate.

(3) Where a temporary governing body is yet to be established, regulations 5 to 7 have effect as if—

(a) references to the governing body proposing to federate were references to the local authority or, where proposals are to establish a voluntary school proposals for the establishment of which were published by promoters, the promoters;

(b) regulation 5(2) were omitted; and

(c) in regulation 6(2)(a) for “the governing body propose to federate” there were substituted “the local authority or the promoters propose that the temporary governing body of the new school should federate”.

(4) Parts 1 to 3 and 5 to 7 of the New Maintained Schools Regulations are to apply to a temporary governing body constituted pursuant to this regulation.

(5) Where it is proposed that two or more new schools should federate, with or without one or more other schools or other federation, the local authority may make arrangements providing for the constitution of a single temporary governing body for those new schools.

(6) Where the proposed federation includes schools which are maintained by two or more local authorities, those local authorities must agree amongst themselves which local authority may make arrangements providing for the constitution of a single temporary governing body for those new schools.

(7) Where one or more of the new schools referred to in paragraph (2) is to be a voluntary school proposals for the establishment of which were published by promoters, the local authority must consult the promoters—

(a) as to whether the power given to the local authority in paragraph (2) should be exercised; and

(b) if the local authority proposes to exercise it, as to the date on which the arrangements should be made.

(8) Schedule 1 applies to a temporary governing body constituted pursuant to this regulation.

Procedure for federation - local authority proposed

9

(1) Where a local authority makes a proposal under section 11 of the 2011 Measure that does not involve the federation of only small schools the published proposals must contain the following—

(a) the name or names of the governing body or bodies which the local authority is proposing to federate;

(b) the proposed size of the governing body of the federation;

(d) the proposed arrangements for staffing the schools within the federation;

(e) the proposed federation date;

(f) the identity of the admission authority or authorities for the schools within the federation;

(g) the date, not less than six weeks after the publication of the proposals, by which written representations may be made to the local authority regarding the proposals and the address to which they should be sent;

(h) in the case of a proposal for a federation that includes a maintained school not maintained by the proposing local authority confirmation that the local authority that maintains the school in question has given its consent;

(i) in the case of a proposal that includes a foundation or voluntary school confirmation that the appropriate diocesan authority or the person or persons by whom the foundation governors are appointed (as the case may be) has given consent; and

(j) such other matters as the local authority considers appropriate.

(2) The local authority must publish the proposals by sending them to—

(a) any other relevant local authority;

(b) the head teacher of each school;

(d) in the case of any school with a foundation—

(i) the foundation governors; and

(ii) any trustees of a trust relating to the school;

(e) where any of the schools are designated under section 69(3) of the 1998 Act as having a religious character, the appropriate diocesan authority in the case of a Church in Wales or Roman Catholic Church school, or the appropriate religious body in the case of any other such school;

(f) all staff paid to work at any of the schools;

(g) every person known by them to be a parent of a registered pupil at any of the schools;

(h) every trade union known to them to have members paid to work at any of the schools; and

(i) such other persons as the local authority considers appropriate.

(3) A copy of the proposals must be published on the local authority’s website.

(4) A copy of the proposals must be made available for inspection at all reasonable times at each school.

(5) The proposed federation date in paragraph (1)(e) must be not less than 125 days following the publication of the proposals for federation by the governing body pursuant to section 11 of the 2011 Measure.

Consideration of responses to proposals and determination as to whether to proceed – local authority proposed

10

(1) The local authority must consider any responses to the proposals and publish a summary of the responses together with the local authority’s comments on the local authority’s website.

(2) The local authority must determine whether—

(a) to proceed with the proposals for federation as published;

(b) to proceed with the proposals for federation with such modifications as the local authority consider appropriate; or

(3) The modifications referred to in paragraph (2)(b) must not include a change in the identity of the governing bodies that the local authority is proposing to federate.

(4) Any determination under paragraph (2) must be published on the local authority’s website and a copy of the determination sent to—

(a) any other relevant local authority;

(b) the head teacher of each school;

(i) the foundation governors; and

(ii) any trustees of a trust relating to the school;

(d) where any of the schools are designated under section 69(3) of the 1998 Act as having a religious character, the appropriate diocesan authority in the case of a Church in Wales or Roman Catholic Church school, or the appropriate religious body in the case of any other such school; and

(e) such other persons as the local authority considers appropriate.

Procedure for federation - small schools

11

(1) Where a local authority makes a proposal under section 11 of the 2011 Measure that involves only the federation of small schools the published proposals must contain the following—

(a) the name or names of the governing body or bodies which the local authority is proposing to federate;

(b) the proposed size of the governing body of the federation;

(d) the proposed arrangements for staffing the schools within the federation;

(e) the proposed federation date;

(f) the identity of the admission authority or authorities for the schools within the federation;

(g) in the case of a proposal for a federation that includes a maintained school not maintained by the proposing local authority confirmation that the local authority that maintains the school in question has given its consent;

(h) in the case of a proposal that includes a foundation or voluntary school confirmation that the appropriate diocesan authority or the person or persons by whom the foundation governors are appointed (as the case may be) has given consent; and

(i) such other matters as the local authority considers appropriate.

(2) The local authority must publish the proposals by sending them to the governing body and school council of each small school that it intends to federate inviting a response from the governing body within 20 school days.

(3) The local authority must also send copies of the proposals to—

(a) any other relevant local authority;

(b) the head teacher of each school;

(i) the foundation governors; and

(ii) any trustees of a trust relating to the school; and

(d) where any of the schools are designated under section 69(3) of the 1998 Act as having a religious character, the appropriate diocesan authority in the case of a Church in Wales or Roman Catholic Church school, or the appropriate religious body in the case of any other such school.

(4) A copy of the proposals must be published on the local authority’s website.

(5) A copy of the proposals must be made available for inspection at all reasonable times at each school.

(6) The proposed federation date in paragraph (1)(e) must be not less than 100 days following the publication of the proposals for federation by the governing body pursuant to section 11 of the 2011 Measure.

Consideration of responses to proposals and determination as to whether to proceed – small schools

12

(1) The local authority must consider any responses to the proposals and publish a summary of the responses together with the local authority’s comments on the local authority’s website.

(2) The local authority must determine whether—

(a) to proceed with the proposals for federation as published;

(b) to proceed with the proposals for federation with such modifications as the local authority consider appropriate; or

(3) The modifications referred to in paragraph (2)(b) must not include a change in the identity of the governing bodies proposing to federate.

(4) Any determination under paragraph (2) must be published on the local authority’s website and a copy of the determination sent to—

(a) any other relevant local authority;

(b) the head teacher of each school;

(i) the foundation governors; and

(ii) any trustees of a trust relating to the school;

(d) where any of the schools are designated under section 69(3) of the 1998 Act as having a religious character, the appropriate diocesan authority in the case of a Church in Wales or Roman Catholic Church school, or the appropriate religious body in the case of any other such school; and

(e) such other persons as the local authority considers appropriate.

Incorporation of governing bodies of federations and dissolution of former governing bodies

13

(1) On the federation date—

(a) the governing bodies of the federating schools or federations are dissolved;

(b) the governing body of the federation is incorporated;

(c) all land and property which, immediately before the federation date, was held by the governing body of a federating school or federation transfers to, and by virtue of these Regulations vests in, the governing body of the federation; and

(d) all rights and liabilities subsisting immediately before the federation date which were acquired or incurred by the governing body of a federating school or federation be transferred to the governing body of the federation.

(2) Section 198 of the Education Reform Act 1988[^f00016] (which, with Schedule 10 to that Act, makes further provision in relation to transfers of property, rights and liabilities) applies in relation to transfers effected by this regulation as they apply in relation to transfers to which that section and Schedule apply.

PART 3 — CATEGORIES OF GOVERNOR

Parent governors

14

(1) In these Regulations “parent governor” (“rhiant-lywodraethwr”) means—

(a) a person who is elected in accordance with paragraphs 3 to 8 of Schedule 2 as a member of the governing body of a federation by parents of registered pupils at a federated school and is such a parent at the time when that person is elected, or

(b) a person appointed as a parent governor in respect of a federated school in accordance with paragraphs 9 to 11 of Schedule 2.

(2) Schedule 2 applies to the election and appointment of parent governors.

(3) A person is disqualified from election or appointment as a parent governor of a federation if that person is—

(a) an elected member of the local authority;

(b) employed by the local authority in connection with its education functions; or

(4) A person is not disqualified from continuing to hold office as a parent governor when that person ceases to be a parent of a registered pupil at a federated school or to fulfil any of the requirements set out in paragraphs 10 and 11 of Schedule 2 (as the case may be) unless that person is otherwise disqualified under these Regulations.

Teacher governors

15

(1) In these Regulations “teacher governor” (“athro-lywodraethwr”) means a person—

(a) who is elected in accordance with Schedule 3 as a governor by school teachers at any school within the federation; and

(b) who is such a school teacher at a time when that person is elected.

(2) Upon ceasing to work at the school a teacher governor is disqualified from continuing to hold office as such a governor.

(3) Subject to paragraph (4) a person is disqualified from election as a teacher governor to a governing body if that person—

(a) has previously been elected as a teacher governor to the same governing body within the last two years; or

(b) is employed to work at the same federated school as any person elected as a teacher governor to that governing body within the last two years.

(4) Paragraph (3)(b) does not apply to—

(a) any person employed to work at two or more federated schools in the federation ; or

(b) a federation that consists of only two schools.

Staff governors

16

(1) In these Regulations “staff governor” (“staff-lywodraethwr”) means a person —

(a) who is elected in accordance with Schedule 3 as a member of the governing body of a federation by persons who are employed to work at the federation or at a federated school otherwise than as a school teacher; and

(b) who is a person so working at the time when that person is elected.

(2) Upon ceasing to work at a school within the federation, a staff governor of a school is disqualified from continuing to hold office as such a governor.

(3) Subject to paragraph (4) a person is disqualified from election as a staff governor to a governing body if that person—

(a) has previously been elected as a staff governor to the same governing body within the last two years; or

(b) is employed to work at the same federated school as any person elected as a staff governor to that governing body within the last two years.

(4) Paragraph (3)(b) does not apply to—

(a) any person employed to work at two or more schools in the federation ; or

(b) a federation that consists of only two schools.

Local authority governors

17

(1) In these Regulations “local authority governor” (“llywodraethwr awdurdod lleol”) means a governor appointed to be a member of the governing body of a federation by the local authority that maintains the federated schools.

(2) Where the federation includes schools which are maintained by two or more local authorities, those local authorities must agree amongst themselves who will appoint such governors and, if more than one governor is to be appointed, in what proportion.

(3) A person is disqualified from appointment or continuing to hold office as a local authority governor if that person is eligible to be a teacher or staff governor.

Community governors

18

(1) In these Regulations—

“community governor” (“llywodraethwr cymunedol”) means a person who is appointed as such by the governing body of a federation and who is— a person who lives or works in the community served by the federation; or a person who, in the opinion of the governing body, is committed to the good government and success of the federation.

(2) A person is disqualified from appointment or continuing to hold office as a community governor if that person is—

(a) a registered pupil at one of the federated schools;

(b) eligible to be a teacher or staff governor; or

Additional community governors

19

In these Regulations “additional community governor” (“llywodraethwr cymunedol ychwanegol”) means a governor appointed in accordance with regulation 31.

Foundation governors

20

(1) In these Regulations—

(a) “foundation governor” (“llywodraethwr sefydledig”) means a person who is appointed to be a member of the governing body of a federation in respect of a particular federated school, otherwise than by the local authority, and who—

(i) where the federation includes a federated school which has a particular religious character[^f00017], is appointed for the purpose of securing that that character is preserved and developed at that federated school;

(ii) where the federation includes a federated school to which a trust relates, is appointed for the purpose of securing that the federated school is conducted in accordance with that trust, or

(iii) where the federation includes a school which has neither a religious character nor a trust, is appointed as a foundation governor of the federation by a person previously named in the federated school’s instrument of government as having the power to appoint foundation governors;

(b) “ex officio foundation governor” (“llywodraethwr sefydledig ex officio”) means a foundation governor who is the holder of an office by virtue of which that person is entitled to be a foundation governor;

(c) “substitute governor” (“dirprwy-lywodraethwr”) means a foundation governor appointed to act in place of an ex officio foundation governor—

(i) who is unwilling or unable to act as governor;

(ii) who has been removed as a governor under regulation 38(2); or

(iii) if there is a vacancy in the office by virtue of which such a governorship exists.

(2) An ex officio foundation governor is, upon ceasing to hold the office from which that person’s governorship derives, disqualified from continuing to hold office as such a governor.

Partnership governors

21

(1) In these Regulations “partnership governor” (“llywodraethwr partneriaeth”) means a person who is nominated as a partnership governor and appointed as such in accordance with Schedule 4.

(2) A person is disqualified from nomination or appointment as a partnership governor of a federation if that person is—

(a) a parent of a registered pupil at a school within the federation;

(b) a registered pupil at a school within the federation;

(d) an elected member of a relevant local authority; or

(e) employed by a relevant local authority in connection with its functions as a local authority.

22

In these Regulations “sponsor governor” (“noddwr-lywodraethwr”) means a person nominated as a sponsor governor and appointed as such by the governing body of a federation in accordance with Schedule 5.

Representative governors

23

In these Regulations “representative governor” (“llywodraethwr cynrychiadol”) means a person who is appointed as such in accordance with Schedule 6.

Associate pupil governors

24

(1) In these Regulations “associate pupil governor” (“disgybl-lywodraethwr cyswllt”) means a registered pupil nominated by the school council to be a member of the federated governing body and appointed as such by the federated governing body in accordance with regulation 7 of the School Council Regulations.

(2) The maximum number of associate pupil governors on any federated governing body is two.

PART 4 — COMPOSITION OF GOVERNING BODIES OF A FEDERATION

General principles

25

(1) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), the instrument of government for a federation must specify the size of the membership of the governing body of the federation, being no fewer than 15 and no more than 27 governors.

(2) In determining the size of the membership of the governing body of a federation the following governors must not be included—

(a) any associate pupil governors appointed in accordance with regulations 26 to 30;

(b) any additional governors appointed by virtue of section 6 of the 2013 Act (power to appoint additional governors); and

(c) any additional governors appointed by virtue of section 13 of the 2013 Act (power of Welsh Ministers to appoint additional governors).

(3) In determining the size of the membership of the governing body of a federation any additional community governors appointed in accordance with regulation 31 must be included.

(4) Subject to regulations 26 to 30, the instrument of government must specify the numbers of governors from each of the following categories of governor to be elected or appointed—

(a) parent governors;

(b) teacher governors;

(d) local authority governors;

(e) community governors;

(f) foundation governors;

(g) partnership governors;

(h) sponsor governors;

(i) representative governors; and

(j) additional community governors.

(5) Where application of this regulation and regulations 26 to 30 produces a number other than a whole number, the governing body must specify either the whole number next above or the whole number next below (at their choice) providing that the total number of governors may not exceed the limit set in this regulation.

Federation comprising only community, community special and maintained nursery schools

26

(1) The governing body of a federation containing any combination of community schools, community special schools and maintained nursery schools[^f00018] (and no other category of school) is to comprise the following—

(a) for each federated school at least one but no more than two parent governors elected or appointed in accordance with paragraphs 3 to 11 of Schedule 2 to represent the interests of parents of registered pupils at that school;

(b) at least one but no more than two teacher governors;

(d) at least two but no more than four local authority governors;

(e) subject to sub-paragraph (f) at least two but no more than four community governors; and

(f) one representative governor where the federation contains at least one community special school to take the place of one community governor required by sub-paragraph (e).

(2) The governing body of the federation must in addition include—

(a) the head teacher of the federation, unless that person resigns the office of governor in accordance with regulation 37; or

(b) (if there is no head teacher of .the federation) the head teacher of each federated school, unless that person resigns the office of governor in accordance with regulation 37.

(3) The governing body of the federation may in addition—

(a) appoint one sponsor governor; and

(b) appoint up to two associate pupil governors where the federation contains secondary schools.

Federation comprising only foundation schools

27

(1) The governing body of a federation containing foundation schools[^f00019] only is to comprise the following—

(a) for each federated school at least one but no more than two parent governors elected or appointed in accordance with paragraphs 3 to 11 of Schedule 2 to represent the interests of parents of registered pupils at that school;

(b) at least one but no more than two teacher governors;

(d) at least two but no more than four local authority governors;

(e) at least two but no more than four community governors; and

(f) at least two but no more than five foundation governors (or partnership governors, as appropriate in respect of any school without a foundation)..

(2) The governing body of the federation must in addition include—

(a) the head teacher of the federation, unless that person resigns the office of governor in accordance with regulation 37; or

(b) (if there is no head teacher of the federation) the head teacher of each federated school, unless that person resigns the office of governor in accordance with regulation 37.

(3) The governing body of the federation may in addition—

(a) appoint one sponsor governor; and

(b) appoint up to two associate pupil governors where the federation contains secondary schools.

Federation comprising voluntary controlled schools only

28

(1) The governing body of a federation containing voluntary controlled schools[^f00020] only is to comprise the following—

(a) for each federated school at least one but no more than two parent governors elected or appointed in accordance with paragraphs 3 to 11 of Schedule 2 to represent the interests of parents of registered pupils at that school;

(b) at least one but no more than two teacher governors;

(d) at least two but no more than four local authority governors;

(e) at least two but no more than four community governors; and

(f) at least two but no more than five foundation governors.

(2) The governing body of the federation must in addition include—

(a) the head teacher of the federation, unless that person resigns the office of governor in accordance with regulation 37; or

(b) (if there is no head teacher of the federation) the head teacher of each federated school, unless that person resigns the office of governor in accordance with regulation 37.

(3) The governing body of the federation may in addition—

(a) appoint one sponsor governor; and

(b) appoint up to two associate pupil governors where the federation contains secondary schools.

Federation comprising voluntary aided schools only

29

(1) The governing body of a federation containing voluntary aided schools[^f00021] only is to comprise the following—

(a) at least one parent governor elected or appointed in accordance with paragraphs 3 to 11 of Schedule 2;

(b) at least one but no more than two teacher governors;

(d) at least one but no more than two local authority governors; and.

(e) such number of foundation governors as will lead to their outnumbering all the other governors mentioned in sub-paragraphs (a) to (d), paragraph (2) and regulation 31 by no more than one.

(2) The governing body of the federation must in addition include—

(a) the head teacher, unless that person resigns the office of governor in accordance with regulation 37; or

(b) (if there is no head teacher of .the federation) the head teacher of each federated school, unless that person resigns the office of governor in accordance with regulation 37.

(3) The governing body of the federation may, in addition, appoint up to two associate pupil governors where the federation contains secondary schools.

Federation comprising voluntary controlled and voluntary aided schools

30

(1) The governing body of a federation containing any combination of voluntary controlled schools and voluntary aided schools (and no other category of school) is to comprise the following—

(a) at least one parent governor elected or appointed in accordance with paragraphs 3 to 11 of Schedule 2;

(b) at least one but no more than two teacher governors;

(d) at least one but no more than two local authority governors;

(e) at least one but no more than two community governors; and

(f) such number of foundation governors as will lead to their outnumbering all the other governors mentioned in sub-paragraphs (a) to (e), paragraph (2) and regulation 31 by no more than one.

(2) The governing body of the federation must in addition include—

(a) the head teacher of the federation, unless that person resigns the office of governor in accordance with regulation 37; or

(b) (if there is no head teacher of .the federation) the head teacher of each federated school, unless that person resigns the office of governor in accordance with regulation 37.

(3) The governing body of the federation may in addition appoint up to two associate pupil governors where the federation contains secondary schools.

Additional Community Governors

31

(1) This paragraph applies to the governing body of a federation which includes one or more of the following—

(a) any community, voluntary or foundation school which is a primary school; and

(b) any maintained nursery school;

which serves an area for which there are one or more community councils.

(2) The instrument of government of a school must provide for the governing body of a federation to include (in addition to the governors required by virtue of regulations 26 to 30, as the case may be) one additional community governor nominated by the community council.

(3) If a school serves an area for which there are two or more community councils, the governing body may seek nominations from one or more of those councils for the one additional community governor referred to in paragraph (2).

Notification of vacancies and appointments

32

(1) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), where a vacancy in the office of an appointed member of the governing body arises, the clerk to the governing body must as soon as is reasonably practicable give notice in writing of that fact to the person entitled to appoint or nominate a person to that office.

(2) Subject to paragraph (3), the clerk to the governing body must, at least two months before the date of the expiry of the term of office of an appointed member, give notice in writing of that fact to the person entitled to appoint or nominate a person to that office.

(3) Paragraphs (1) and (2) do not apply where the person entitled to appoint a person to the office in question has already notified the clerk to the governing body in writing of the person appointed or nominated.

(4) Where any person other than a governing body makes an appointment or nominates a person to be appointed to the governing body, that person must give written notice of the appointment or the nomination to the clerk to the governing body specifying the name and usual place of residence of the person so appointed or nominated.

(5) For the purposes of this regulation, “appointed member” (“aelod a benodwyd”) means—

(a) a foundation governor;

(b) a local authority governor;

(d) a representative governor;

(e) a sponsor governor; and

(f) a partnership governor.

Joint appointments

33

If—

(a) the instrument of government of a school provides for one or more of the governors to be appointed by persons acting jointly; and

(b) those persons fail to make an agreed appointment;

the appointment is to be made by, or in accordance with a direction given by, the Welsh Ministers.

Surplus Governors

34

(1) Where a federation has more governors of a particular category than are provided for by the instrument of government for the school, such number of governors of that category as is required to eliminate the excess must cease to hold office in accordance with paragraphs (2) and (3) unless a sufficient number resign.

(2) The governors who are to cease to hold office are to be determined on the basis of seniority, the governors whose current period of office as a governor of any category at the school is the shortest being the first to cease to hold office.

(3) Where it is necessary for the purposes of paragraph (2) to select one or more governors from a group of equal seniority, it must be done by drawing lots.

(4) For the purposes of this regulation, additional community governors are treated as if they constituted a separate category of governor.

PART 5 — QUALIFICATIONS AND TERM OF OFFICE

Qualifications and disqualifications

35

Schedule 7 sets out the circumstances in which a person is qualified for or disqualified from holding or continuing in office as a governor.

Term of office

36

(1) Subject to paragraphs (2) to (9), a governor holds office for a fixed period of four years from the date of that person’s election or appointment.

(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to any governor who is the head teacher of the federation or a federated school, or to any ex officio foundation governor, who may hold office for as long as that person holds the position from which that person’s governorship derives.

(3) Paragraph (1) does not apply to any foundation governor whose term of office is to be determined by the person who appointed that governor, up to a maximum of four years.

(4) Paragraph (1) does not apply to any additional governor, additional foundation governor or interim executive member appointed under sections 6, 7, 13 or 14 of the 2013 Act whose term of office is to be determined by the person who appointed that governor, up to a maximum of four years.

(5) Paragraph (1) does not apply to any teacher governor or staff governor who is to hold office for a period of two years from the date of that person’s appointment.

(6) Paragraph (1) does not apply to any parent governor of a maintained nursery school who is to hold office for a fixed period of two years from the date of that person’s election or appointment.

(7) Paragraph (1) does not apply to any associate pupil governor who is to hold office for a period of one year from the date of that person’s appointment. Nothing in this paragraph prevents an associate pupil governor from being re-appointed at the expiration of that person’s term of office.

(8) A substitute governor may hold office until the earlier of the following—

(a) the expiry of four years from the date when that person’s appointment takes effect;

(b) the date when the original governor (not having been removed from office under regulation 38 (2)) gives written notice to the clerk to the governing body to the effect that that person is able and willing to act as a foundation governor; or

(c) the date when a person other than the original governor takes office in the post by virtue of which the ex officio foundation governorship exists.

(9) This regulation does not prevent a governor from—

(a) being elected or appointed for a further term, save as otherwise provided in these Regulations;

(b) resigning that person’s office in accordance with regulation 37(1);

(d) being disqualified, by virtue of any provision of these Regulations, from holding or continuing to hold office.

(10) In this regulation “the original governor” (“y llywodraethwr gwreiddiol”) means the ex officio foundation governor in whose place the substitute governor is appointed to act.

Resignation

37

(1) A governor may at any time resign from office by giving written notice to the clerk to the governing body.

(2) The head teacher may withdraw their resignation at any time by giving written notice to the clerk to the governing body.

(3) An ex officio foundation governor may resign as governor either permanently or temporarily, but that person’s resignation does not prejudice the ex officio governorship of that person’s successor in the office from which the ex officio governorship derives.

38

(1) Any local authority governor, foundation governor, or representative governor may be removed from office by the person who appointed that governor, who must give written notice thereof to the clerk to the governing body and to the governor so removed.

(2) An ex officio foundation governor may be removed from office by the person named in the instrument of government as the person entitled to remove that governor and that person must give written notice thereof to the clerk to the governing body and to the governor so removed.

(3) Any additional community governor or sponsor governor may be removed by the person who nominated that governor who must give written notice thereof to the clerk to the governing body and to the governor so removed.

Removal of community governors

39

The governing body may remove any community governor (except an additional community governor) from office in accordance with the procedure set out in regulation 41.

Removal of appointed parent governors, partnership governors and associate pupil governors

40

Any parent governor appointed by the governing body under paragraphs 9 to 11 of Schedule 2, any partnership governor and any associate pupil governor may be removed by the governing body in accordance with the procedure set out in regulation 41.

Procedure for removal of governors by the governing body

41

(1) This regulation applies in relation to the removal of a governor from office in accordance with regulation 39 or 40.

(2) A resolution to remove a governor from office which is passed at a meeting of the governing body does not have effect unless—

(a) before the governing body resolve to remove the governor from office, the governor or governors proposing that person’s removal at that meeting state their reasons for doing so and the governor whom it is proposed to remove is given an opportunity to make a statement in response; and

(b) the matter of the governor’s removal from office is specified as an item of business on the agenda for the meeting.

(3) After a resolution to remove a governor from office has been passed the governing body must inform the person removed from office of the reasons for the removal in writing.

PART 6 — INSTRUMENT OF GOVERNMENT, STAFFING, SCHOOL COUNCILS AND CHARITABLE STATUS

Duty to have regard to guidance

42

In respect of the making of instruments of government, the matters to be dealt with in such instruments, the form of such instruments, and the review and variation of such instruments, governing bodies and local authorities must have regard to any guidance given from time to time by the Welsh Ministers.

Contents and form of instrument of government

43

(1) The instrument of government for a federation must set out—

(a) the name of the federation;

(b) the names and categories of the federated schools within the federation;

(d) subject to paragraph (4), the manner in which the governing body is to be constituted in accordance with Part 4, specifying—

(i) the number of governors in each category of governor;

(ii) the categories of person from whom or from amongst whose members nominations for the appointment of any additional community governor or sponsor governor are authorised by these Regulations; and

(iii) the total membership of the governing body;

(e) where the term of office for a category of governor is to be less than four years, the length of that term of office;

(f) where the federation has foundation governors—

(i) the name of any person who is entitled to appoint such governors and, if there is more than one such person entitled to appoint, the basis upon which such appointments are made;

(ii) details of any foundation governorship to be held ex officio by the holder of a named office; and

(iii) the name of any person who is entitled to remove any ex officio foundation governor and to appoint any substitute governor;

(g) where the federation includes a community special school, the name of any appropriate body or appropriate voluntary organisation entitled to nominate a person for appointment as a representative governor under Schedule 6;

(h) where there is a trust relating to a federated school, that fact;

(i) where a federated school is a foundation or a voluntary school designated under section 69(3) of the 1998 Act as having a religious character, a single description of the religious ethos of each such school; and

(j) the date when the instrument of government takes effect.

(2) The manner in which the governing body is to be constituted, as set out in accordance with sub-paragraph (1)(d), must accord with the provisions of these Regulations.

(3) The instrument of government must (subject to any statutory provision) comply with any trust relating to a federated school.

(4) Sub-paragraphs (d) and (e) of paragraph (1) do not apply to associate pupil governors.

Procedure for making an instrument

44

(1) In this regulation, where reference is made to the local authority and the federation is to include schools maintained by different local authorities, the reference is to be taken as a reference to whichever of those local authorities the governing bodies of the schools agree between them should make the instrument of government for the federation.

(2) The governing bodies of the schools which are to form the federation must jointly prepare a draft instrument of government and submit it to the local authority.

(3) Where the federation will have foundation governors, the governing bodies of the proposed federation must not submit the draft to the local authority unless it has been approved in respect of each foundation or voluntary school by—

(a) that school’s foundation governors;

(b) the trustees of any trust relating to such a school;

(d) in the case of any other school designated under section 69(3) of the 1998 Act as having a religious character, the appropriate religious body.

(4) If—

(a) the local authority is content that the draft complies with all the applicable provisions; or

(b) there is agreement between the local authority, the governing bodies and (where the federation will have foundation governors) the persons mentioned in paragraph (3) that the draft should be revised to any extent, and the revised draft complies with all the applicable statutory provisions;

the instrument of government is to be made by the local authority in the form of the draft or (as the case may be) the revised draft.

(5) If, in the case of a federation which will have foundation governors, there is at any time disagreement as to the content of the draft among the persons mentioned in paragraph (3), any of those persons may refer the draft to the Welsh Ministers who must give such direction as they think fit having regard, in particular, to the categories of schools which are proposed to be included within the federation.

(6) If neither of sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) of paragraph (4) applies in the case of a federation which will not have foundation governors, the local authority must—

(a) inform the governing body of the federation of the reasons why it is not content with the draft instrument of government; and

(b) give the governing body of the federation a reasonable opportunity to reach agreement with it on revising the draft;

and the instrument of government must be made by the local authority either in the form of a revised draft agreed between it and the governing body of the federation or (in the absence of such agreement) in such form as it thinks fit having regard, in particular, to the categories of school included in the federation.

Review of instruments of government

45

(1) The governing body or the local authority may review the instrument of government at any time after it is made.

(2) Where on any review the governing body or the local authority decides that the instrument of government should be varied, the governing body or (as the case may be) the local authority must notify the other of its proposed variation together with its reasons for proposing such a variation.

(3) Where the governing body has received notification under paragraph (2), it must inform the local authority as to whether or not it is content with the proposed variation and, if not content, its reasons.

(4) Where the federation has foundation governors, the governing body must not—

(a) give the local authority any notification under paragraph (2); or

(b) inform the local authority under paragraph (3) that it is content with the local authority’s proposed variation;

unless the persons listed in regulation 44(3) have approved the proposed variation.

(5) If—

(a) whichever of the governing body and the local authority is the recipient of a notification under paragraph (2) agrees with the proposed variation; or

(b) there is agreement between the local authority, the governing body and (if the federation has foundation governors) the other persons listed in regulation 44(3) that some other variation should be made instead;

the local authority must vary the instrument of government accordingly.

(6) If, in the case of a federation which has foundation governors, at any time the persons listed in regulation 44(3) disagree with the proposed variation any of those persons may refer it to the Welsh Ministers; and on such a reference the Welsh Ministers must give such direction as they think fit having regard, in particular, to the categories of school which make up the federation.

(7) If neither sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) of paragraph (5) applies in the case of a federation which does not have foundation governors, the local authority must—

(a) inform the governing body of the reasons—

(i) why it is not content with the governing body’s proposed variation, or as the case may be;

(ii) why it wishes to proceed with its own variation; and

(b) give the governing body a reasonable opportunity to reach agreement with it with regard to the variation;

and the instrument of government must be varied by it either in the manner agreed between it and the governing body or (in the absence of such agreement) in such manner as it thinks fit having regard, in particular, to the categories of school which make up the federation.

(8) Nothing in this regulation is to be taken as requiring the local authority to vary the instrument of government if it does not consider it appropriate to do so.

(9) Where an instrument of government is varied under this regulation the instrument must set out the date on which the variation takes effect.

Other requirements relating to instruments of government

46

(1) The local authority must ensure that the persons set out in paragraph (2) are provided (free of charge) with—

(a) a copy of the federation’s instrument of government; and

(b) where any variation is made to the federation’s instrument of government, a consolidated version of the instrument of government incorporating all variations made by the local authority (other than any variations which have ceased to have effect).

(2) The persons who are to be provided with the information referred to in paragraph (1) are—

(a) every member of the governing body of the federation;

(b) the head teacher of the federation or each federated school, whether or not the head teacher is a member of the governing body;

(d) in the case of a Church in Wales federated school or Roman Catholic Church federated school, the appropriate diocesan authority;

(e) in the case of any other federated school designated under section 69(3) of the 1998 Act as having a religious character, the appropriate religious body; and

(f) the Welsh Ministers.

Staffing of federations

47

The Staffing Regulations apply to the staffing of federations subject to the modifications in Schedule 8.

School Council Regulations

48

The School Council Regulations apply to the governing body of a federation and its members subject to the modifications in Schedule 9.

Charitable status of federations

49

(1) The governing body of a federation which includes a foundation, or voluntary school is a charity which is an exempt charity for the purposes of the Charities Act 2011[^f00022], but no governing body of a federation which includes only community, community special or maintained nursery schools is a charity.

(2) So far as it is a charity, any institution which—

(a) is administered by or on behalf of any governing body of a federation which includes a foundation or voluntary school; and

(b) is established for the general purposes of, or for any special purpose of, or in connection with, that body or that federation or any foundation or voluntary school within that federation;

must also be an exempt charity for the purposes of the Charities Act 2011.

(3) In this regulation, “charity” (“elusen”) and “institution” (“sefydliad”) have the same meaning as in the Charities Act 2011.

PART 7 — APPOINTMENT, FUNCTIONS AND REMOVAL OF OFFICERS

Election of the chair and vice-chair

50

(1) Subject to paragraph (2) and to sections 6 (power to appoint additional governors) and 13 (power of Welsh Ministers to appoint additional governors) of the 2013 Act, the governing body must elect a chair and a vice-chair from among their number annually.

(2) A governor who is paid to work at the federation or at a federated school or who is a pupil at a federated school is not eligible to be chair or vice-chair of the governing body of the federation in question.

(3) Subject to paragraphs (5) and (6), the chair or vice-chair is to hold office until that person’s successor has been elected in accordance with paragraph (1).

(4) The chair or vice-chair may at any time resign from office by giving notice in writing to the clerk to the governing body.

(5) The chair or vice-chair ceases to hold office—

(a) when that person ceases to be a member of the governing body;

(b) if that person is paid to work at the federation or federated school in question;

(c) if that person is removed from office in accordance with regulation 52 or replaced by a chair nominated by the local authority pursuant to section 6 of the 2013 Act or the Welsh Ministers pursuant to section 13 of the 2013 Act; or

(d) in the case of the vice-chair, that person is elected in accordance with paragraph (6) to fill a vacancy in the office of chair.

(6) Where a vacancy arises in the office of chair or vice-chair, the governing body must at its next meeting elect one of its number to fill that vacancy, subject to paragraph (2) and to sections 6 or 13 of the 2013 Act.

(7) Any election of the chair or vice-chair which is contested must be held by secret ballot.

(8) Where the chair is absent from any meeting or there is at the time a vacancy in the office of chair, the vice-chair is to act as chair for all purposes.

(9) Where in the circumstances referred to in paragraph (8) the vice-chair is absent from the meeting or there is at the time a vacancy in the office of vice-chair, the governing body must elect one of its number to act as chair for the purposes of that meeting, subject to paragraph (2).

(10) The clerk to the governing body is to act as chair during that part of any meeting at which the chair is to be elected.

Delegation of functions to the chair or vice-chair in cases of urgency

51

(1) The chair may, where in that person’s opinion the circumstances mentioned in paragraph (2) apply, exercise any function of the governing body which can be delegated under regulation 62(1).

(2) The circumstances are that a delay in exercising the function would be likely to be seriously detrimental to the interests of—

(a) the federation or a federated school;

(b) any pupil at a federated school, or that pupil’s parent; or

(3) In paragraph (2), “delay” (“oedi”) means delay for a period extending beyond the earliest date on which it would be reasonably practicable for a meeting of the governing body, or of a committee to which the function in question has been delegated, to be held.

(4) Where it appears to the vice-chair that—

(a) the circumstances mentioned in paragraph (2) apply; and

(b) the chair (whether by reason of a vacancy in the office or otherwise) would be unable to exercise the function in question before the detriment referred to in that paragraph is suffered;

the reference in paragraph (1) to the chair is to read as if it were a reference to the vice-chair.

Removal of the chair or vice-chair from office

52

(1) Subject to paragraphs (3) and (4), the governing body may by resolution remove the chair from office, unless that person has been nominated by the local authority under section 6 of the 2013 Act or the Welsh Ministers pursuant to section 13 of the 2013 Act.

(2) Subject to paragraphs (3) and (4), the governing body may by resolution remove the vice-chair from office.

(3) A resolution to remove the chair or vice-chair from office does not have effect unless the matter is specified as an item of business on the agenda for the meeting, of which notice has been given in accordance with regulation 57.

(4) Before the governing body resolves to remove the chair or the vice-chair from office, the governor proposing the chair or the vice-chair’s removal must at that meeting state their reasons for doing so and the chair or the vice-chair (as the case may be) must be given an opportunity to make a statement in response, before withdrawing from the meeting.

Appointment and removal of the clerk to the governing body

53

(1) This regulation is without prejudice to any rights and liabilities which the clerk may have under any contract with the governing body or with the local authority.

(2) The governing body must appoint a clerk to the governing body.

(3) The clerk to the governing body must not be—

(a) a governor;

(b) a non-governor member of any committee of the governing body; or

(4) Notwithstanding paragraph (2), the governing body may, if the clerk fails to attend a meeting, appoint any one of its number (who is not the head teacher of the federation or of a federated school) to act as clerk for the purposes of that meeting.

(5) The governing body may remove the clerk to the governing body from office.

(6) If at any time no federated school has a delegated budget[^f00023], the local authority may remove the clerk to the governing body and appoint a substitute, provided the local authority consults the governing body before taking such action.

Functions of the clerk to the governing body

54

(1) The clerk to the governing body must—

(a) convene meetings of the governing body in accordance with regulation 57;

(b) attend meetings of the governing body and ensure minutes of the proceedings are produced in accordance with regulation 59;

(d) maintain a register of governors’ attendance at meetings and report on non-attendance to the governing body;

(e) give and receive notices in accordance with regulations 32 (notification of vacancies and appointments), 37 (resignation), 38 (removal of governors), 50(4) (resignation of chair or vice chair), and 57(4) (convening meetings) of, and paragraph 14 of Schedule 7 (notification of disqualification) to, these Regulations;

(f) report to the governing body as required on the discharge of that person’s functions; and

(g) perform such other functions as may be determined by the governing body from time to time.

(2) The clerk to the governing body may provide it with advice on its functions and procedures.

PART 8 — MEETINGS AND PROCEEDINGS OF GOVERNING BODIES

Right of persons to attend meetings of the governing body

55

(1) Subject to regulations 56 and 75 of, and Schedule 10 to, these Regulations the following persons are entitled to attend any meeting of the governing body—

(a) subject to regulation 61, a governor;

(b) the clerk to the governing body;

(d) such other persons as the governing body may determine.

(2) The reference to head teacher in paragraph (1)(c) means—

(a) the head teacher of the federation (whether or not that person is a governor); or

(b) (if there is no head teacher of the federation) the head teacher of each federated school (whether or not that person is a governor).

Exclusion of associate pupil governors from meetings

56

The governing body must exclude associate pupil governors from any governing body discussion relating to—

(a) staff appointments, staff pay, staff discipline, performance management of staff, grievances submitted by staff or dismissal of staff;

(b) admissions;

(d) election, appointment and removal of governors;

(e) the budget and financial commitments of the governing body;

(f) in the case of a federated voluntary aided school, the trust deed relating to that school; or

(g) any other matter that, by reason of its nature, the governing body is satisfied is and should remain confidential.

Convening meetings of the governing body

57

(1) The governing body must hold at least one meeting during every school term.

(1A) The governing body may decide to hold a meeting by remote access provided that the following conditions are met—

(a) the participants will be able to fully make representations or discharge their functions (as the case may be);

(b) the participants agree to the meeting being held using remote access;

(c) each participant has access to the electronic means to allow them to hear and be heard and (where using a live video link) see and be seen, throughout the meeting; and

(d) the meeting is capable of being held fairly and transparently.

(2) Meetings of the governing body must be convened by the clerk and, without prejudice to paragraph (3), in exercising this function the clerk must comply with any direction given by—

(a) the governing body; or

(b) the chair, so far as such direction is not inconsistent with any direction given under sub-paragraph (a).

(3) Any three members of the governing body may requisition a meeting by giving written notice to the clerk that includes a summary of the business to be transacted; and the clerk must convene a meeting as soon as is reasonably practicable.

(4) Subject to paragraphs (5), (6) and (7), the clerk must give written notice of the meeting, a copy of the agenda, and any reports or other papers to be considered at the meeting at least five clear working days in advance to—

(a) each governor;

(b) the head teacher of the federation or (if there is no head teacher of the federation) of a federated school (whether or not that person is a governor); and

(5) Where the chair so determines, on the ground that there are matters demanding urgent consideration, it is sufficient if the written notice of the meeting states that fact and the notice, copy of the agenda, reports and other papers to be considered are given within such shorter period as that person directs.

(6) This paragraph applies in relation to any meeting at which—

(a) the removal of the chair or vice-chair from office;

(b) the suspension of any governor;

(d) a decision to serve notice of discontinuance of a federated school under section 80 of the 2013 Act;

Quorum and proceedings of the governing body

58

(1) The quorum for a meeting of the governing body and for any vote on any matter at such a meeting is one half (rounded up to a whole number) of the membership of the governing body excluding any vacancies and any governors suspended from that meeting in accordance with regulation 61.

(2) Subject to paragraph (3) every question to be decided at a meeting of the governing body must be determined by a majority of the votes of the governors present and voting on the question.

(3) Associate pupil governors may not vote on any question to be determined at a meeting of the governing body.

(4) Where there is an equal division of votes the chair or, as the case may be, the person who is acting as chair for the purposes of the meeting (provided that such person is a governor), has a second or casting vote.

(5) No decision to serve notice of discontinuance of a federated school under section 80 of the 2013 Act whether taken by the governing body or by a committee, has effect unless it is confirmed by the governing body at a meeting held not less than twenty eight clear working days after the meeting at which the decision was made and—

(a) the matter is specified as an item of business on the agenda for both meetings; and

(b) notice of the second meeting is given in accordance with regulation 57(7).

(6) The proceedings of the governing body of a school are not invalidated by—

(a) any vacancy among their number;

(b) any defect in the election, appointment or nomination of any governor;

(d) the federation having more governors of a particular category than are provided for by the instrument of government[^f00024].

Minutes and papers

59

(1) The clerk (or the person appointed to act as clerk for the purpose of the meeting in accordance with regulation 53(4)) must ensure that minutes of the proceedings of a meeting of the governing body are drawn up and signed (subject to the approval of the governing body) by the chair (or the person acting as chair) at the next meeting.

(2) The person acting as clerk to the governing body for the purposes of any meeting must record in the minutes of that meeting the names of those members of the governing body and of any other person present at the meeting concerned.

(3) The governing body must supply a copy of the draft or signed minutes of a particular meeting to the local authority that maintains the school in question on request by the local authority concerned.

(4) The minutes and agenda drawn up for the purposes of this regulation may be kept in electronic form and where that is the case the minutes may be signed electronically.

Publication of minutes and papers

60

(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the governing body must, as soon as reasonably practicable, make available for inspection at each of the federated schools by any interested person, a copy of—

(a) the agenda for every meeting;

(b) the signed minutes of every such meeting;

(d) the draft minutes of any meeting, if they have been approved by the person acting as chairman of that meeting.

(2) The governing body may exclude from any item required to be made available in pursuance of paragraph (1) any material relating to—

(a) a named person who works, or who it is proposed should work, at the federation or a federated school; or

(b) a named pupil at, or candidate for admission to, a federated school; or

(3) Each page of published copies of any draft minutes of proceedings of meetings approved by the chair must indicate that they are draft minutes.

Suspension of governors

61

(1) Subject to paragraphs (2), (3) and (4), the governing body may by resolution suspend a governor for all or any meetings of the governing body, or of a committee, for a fixed period of up to six months on one or more of the following grounds—

(a) that the governor, being a person paid to work at the federation or federated school, is the subject of disciplinary proceedings in relation to that person’s employment;

(b) that the governor is the subject of proceedings in any court or tribunal, the outcome of which may be that that person is disqualified from continuing to hold office as a governor under Schedule 7;

(c) that the governor has acted in a way that is inconsistent with the ethos or with the religious character of a federated school and has brought or is likely to bring the federation, a federated school, the governing body or that person’s office into disrepute; or

(d) that the governor is in breach of that person’s duty of confidentiality to the federation or a federated school or to any member of staff or to any pupil at the federation or a federated school.

(2) A resolution to suspend a governor from office does not have effect unless the matter is specified as an item of business on the agenda for the meeting of which notice has been given in accordance with regulation 57(7).

(3) Before a vote is taken on a resolution to suspend a governor, the governor proposing the resolution must at the meeting state their reasons for doing so, and the governor who is the subject of the resolution must be given the opportunity to make a statement in response before withdrawing from the meeting in accordance with regulation 75(2).

(4) Nothing in this regulation is to be read as affecting the right of a governor who has been suspended—

(a) to receive notices of, and agendas and reports or other papers for, meetings of the governing body; or

(b) to attend a meeting of the governing body convened in accordance with regulation 41 to consider that person’s removal from office;

during the period of suspension.

(5) Nothing in this regulation is to be read as preventing a governing body from suspending a governor who has been suspended under paragraph (1) for a further fixed period or periods, whether or not on the same ground as that of the original suspension, and paragraphs (1) to (4) apply in relation to each suspension.

(6) A governor is not disqualified from continuing to hold office under paragraph 5 of Schedule 7 for failure to attend any meeting of the governing body while suspended under this regulation.

Delegation of functions

62

(1) Subject to regulation 63 of these Regulations, regulation 5(2) of the Religious Character of Schools (Designation Procedure) (Wales) Regulations 2016 and regulation 7 of the School Government (Terms of Reference) (Wales) Regulations 2000[^f00026], the governing body may delegate any of its functions to—

(a) a committee;

(b) any governor; or

(2) Where the governing body has delegated functions this does not prevent the governing body from exercising those functions.

(3) The governing body must review the exercise of functions it has delegated annually.

Restrictions on delegation and specified committees

63

(1) The governing body may not delegate under regulation 62(1) its functions under the following regulations—

(a) those in Part 3 (categories of governors);

(b) those in Part 4 (composition of governing bodies of a federation);

(d) those in Part 6 (instruments of government);

(e) regulations 50 and 52 (election and removal of chair and vice chair);

(f) regulation 53 (appointment and removal of the clerk to the governing body);

(g) regulation 61 (suspension of governors);

(h) regulation 62 (delegation of functions);

(i) regulation 66 (establishment of committees);

nor may it delegate its functions in respect of head teacher and deputy head teacher selection panels under regulations 10(9) to (20), 24(8) to (19) and 34 of the Staffing Regulations (as modified by Schedule 8).

(2) The governing body may not delegate to an individual under regulation 62(1)—

(a) its school organisation proposal functions;

(b) the functions in:

(i) a scheme made by the local authority under section 48(1)[^f00027] of the 1998 Act, to the extent that it requires the governing body to give their approval to the first formal budget plan of the financial year;

(ii) section 88(1) to (3) of the Education and Inspections Act 2006[^f00028] (responsibility of governing body for discipline);

(iii) sections 88[^f00029], 89[^f00030], 89A[^f00031] and 90(8)[^f00032] of the 1998 Act (which relate to the determination of admission arrangements), section 90(1)[^f00033] of the 1998 Act (which relates to the reference to the National Assembly for Wales of objections about admission arrangements), or section 94[^f00034] of the 1998 Act in so far as it relates to the determination of appeal arrangements by the governing body;

(iv) section 63[^f00035] of the 1998 Act (school attendance targets);

(v) section 439(7) of the 1996 Act (school attendance orders);

(vi) sections 95(2) and 97(3)[^f00036] of the 1998 Act (appeal against a decision of the local authority to admit a child and referral to the Assembly in respect of a direction made by the local authority to admit a child); or

Reporting to the governing body following the exercise of delegated functions

64

(1) This regulation applies where any function of the governing body has been delegated to or is otherwise exercisable by—

(a) a governor (including the chair or vice-chair);

(b) the head teacher of the federation or (if there is no head teacher of the federation) of a federated school (whether or not that person is a governor); or

(2) Any individual or committee to whom a function of the governing body has been delegated or that has otherwise exercised a function of the governing body, must report to the governing body in respect of any action taken or decision made with respect to the exercise of that function.

PART 9 — COMMITTEES OF GOVERNING BODIES

Application of this Part

65

This Part does not apply in relation to head teacher and deputy head teacher selection panels established under regulations 10 or 24 of the Staffing Regulations (as modified by Schedule 8).

Establishment of committees of the governing body

66

(1) This regulation applies to committees of the governing body subject to regulations 67, 68 and 69.

(2) The governing body must determine the constitution, membership and terms of reference of any committee it decides to establish and review them annually.

(3) A chair must be appointed annually to each committee by the governing body or elected by the committee, as determined by the governing body.

(4) A committee must elect a member of that committee to act as chair in the absence of the chair appointed under paragraph (3).

(5) No person who is employed to work at the federation or a federated school, nor a registered pupil of the federation or a federated school may act as chair of a committee.

(6) The governing body may remove the chair to any committee from office at any time.

(7) The membership of a committee may include associate pupil governors and persons who are not governors and the extent to which such members are entitled to vote is to be determined by the governing body.

(8) The majority of members on any committee must be governors excluding associate pupil governors.

Staff disciplinary and dismissal committee and disciplinary and dismissal appeals committee

67

(1) The following functions of the governing body of a federation must be delegated to a committee, to be known as the staff disciplinary and dismissal committee—

Reading this document does not replace reading the official text published on legislation.gov.uk. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. We assume no responsibility for any inaccuracies arising from the conversion of the original CLML XML to this format.

This text is published under legislation.gov.uk's own terms of reuse, not a Legalize or public-domain licence. legislation.gov.uk
Open Government Licence v3.0 (attribution required)
© Crown and database right. Derived from content available under the Open Government Licence v3.0 from legislation.gov.uk.