Question: Just to clarify a point in regard to the question about assistant headteachers in "Governing body's involvement in internal promotion".

Although the Guide to the Law does only talk about HT's and DHTs in regard to GB involvement in those appointments, in fact The Staffing Regulations 2003 (which are the statutory basis) actually do mention AHTs.

They say: "Appointment of assistant heads 1.6 - Assistant heads are members of the leadership group, but their selection does not fall under the normal expectation to be delegated to the head teacher. It is open to the governing body to decide how such posts may be filled within the statutory arrangements, which may include delegation to an individual governor or a group of governors. In either case this may include the head teacher, but where not involved in determining the appointment the head teacher has a right to attend to offer advice."

In other words, this is firmly in the province of the Governing Body and this will be so regardless of this being an acting position or a permanent one.

Hope this helps. It also demonstrates the need to return all relevant Regs to the actual Guide to the Law, though hopefully this issue will be resolved when it moves to a CD rather than a hard copy.


Joan Sallis replies: Thank you for this. I agree that the delay in harmonising the Guide and subsequent regulations is tiresome and, as all readers know, I am totally opposed to even a suggestion that governors should not be represented in all staff appointments, particularly such an important one as Assistant Head. I am glad to have this opportunity to say it again.

The school where I am a governor would not dream of appointing any teacher without representation of governors and I think senior management there would say without hesitation that this is a valuable help and protection. Something not often mentioned is that it makes a huge difference when there is a governor commitment to new staff. I have been in school in the last few days for other reasons and it was a special delight to greet three NQTs whom we had spent a whole difficult day earlier this year selecting from a large field.

September 22, 2006