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Governing board roles

The circle model: governing without committees

How the circle model approach works in practice and the key points to consider when deciding whether to use it.

Guidance
12/06/2026
seven people in a meeting talking around a table

The circle model of governance is where a governing board has no committees and so conducts all its business in full board meetings.

It applies to maintained school governing boards as they are not required to establish any committees. Trust boards must establish an audit and risk committee and will usually have academy committees (commonly known as local governing bodies), however may still use the principles of the circle model of governance for its business in all other matters.

This page covers:

  • choosing the right structure
  • how the circle model works
  • its advantages and disadvantages
  • working parties and panels

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