Joan Sallis replies:  If you have been appointed vice-chair I am sure your colleagues must think highly of you but I’m afraid I must disappoint you. No employee of the school may legally be appointed chair or vice-chair of the governing body or chair of one of its committees. Your colleagues have been in error in electing you and will have to repeat the procedure. This is not your fault.  The head and chair should be familiar with the law.  It sounds as if you will be quite relieved anyway! Good luck.