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Governing board roles

The role of vice chair

What the vice chair role involves and how to make the most out of it.

Guidance
15/06/2026
people woman thinking with her laptop on her lap holding pen and paper

The vice chair shares the leadership of the board, making the role of chair more manageable. Often, the vice chair is an aspiring chair and could form part of succession planning.

While the role can vary greatly between individual schools and trusts, the purpose is to:

  • act as a sounding board for the chair
  • share tasks with the chair when agreed, ensuring a manageable workload
  • be the chair's deputy in times of absence

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