Question: In a previous Q&A (complaints against the head), where the head and chair were making decisions without consulting the governors, you reckoned that the rest of the governors were being too timid. But if the complaints policy sets out a procedure involving first and appeals committees to hear formal complaints, then the members surely can't be involved in any decision about whether a complaint should be heard by a committee?

Joan Sallis replies: In speaking of a committee I meant whatever committee the complaints policy referred to. A complaints policy is whatever the governing body laid down for the purpose. I thought I had said that any complaints had to be considered by a committee and that is what I meant. Chats between the head and chair don’t constitute a decision. Whatever procedure you laid down when you first set up all your systems has to be followed. Governors outside those committees play no part. I don’t know whether your policy said that the first and appeals committees should appoint their own chairs or whether they were named, but go right ahead with the procedures.

Do read what I said in another answer this week about the muttering culture, however – it may possibly apply to you too and you will never progress within it if you don’t have firm formalities. Can’t your LEA, in the form of your governor services manager, help you?