Statutory policies for maintained schools
Information for governing bodies and governance professionals (clerks) on the policies and documents they must have.
This is not intended to be a complete list of policies. Unless otherwise stated in relevant statutory or non-statutory guidance, it is up to governing bodies to decide whether and how to delegate the creation, maintenance and approval of policy documents within their school or federation.
Governing bodies remain accountable for these documents and the policies and procedures contained within them.
The list includes a link to where schools can find guidance and, where available, a model policy. Governing bodies should consider seeking advice from their local authority.
Sector organisations can provide advice and, in some cases, model policies. These include from:
- Local authority governor services
- National Governance Association
- GovernorHub
- Catholic Education Service
- Church of England Education Office
Governing bodies of maintained schools must have policies on:
- admissions arrangements – school admissions code
- behaviour and written statement of principles – keeping children safe in education and behaviour and discipline in schools: guide for governing bodies
- careers guidance – careers guidance for education providers
- charging and remissions – charging for school activities
- data protection privacy notice – data protection: privacy notice model documents
- equality objectives – Equality Act 2010: advice for schools
- governors’ allowances – see part 6 of our guidance on School governance regulations 2013
- health and safety – health and safety advice for schools
- premises management – good estate management for schools
- relationships and sex education and health education – relationships and sex education and health education
- safeguarding and child protection – keeping children safe in education
- school attendance – working together to improve school attendance
- school complaints – school complaints: guidance for maintained schools
- school exclusions – school suspensions and permanent exclusions
- school uniforms – developing and implementing a school uniform policy and cost of school uniforms
- special educational needs and disability – SEND code of practice: 0 to 25 years
- staff behaviour and grievance – staffing and employment: advice for schools and keeping children safe in education
- support for pupils with medical conditions – supporting pupils with medical conditions at school
- teachers’ pay – school teachers’ pay and conditions
- teachers’ performance and capability – model policy for teachers’ appraisal and capability
Review cycle
It is recommended that governing bodies review these policies annually. This is with the exception of the equality objectives policy which can be reviewed every 4 years.