The QCA Board consists of a minimum of 8 members and a maximum of 13, as set out in the 1997 Education Act. In addition the Chief Executive is an ex-officio member. Board members are appointed by the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families. Members are non-executive directors, who are independent of the day-to-day running of the QCA.

The Board is responsible for supervising and directing the organisation's affairs. It:

• sets the three year strategy for the business
• agrees the Annual Operating Plan proposed by the QCA Executive and senior management team
• regularly monitors the performance of the QCA Executive and senior management team against agreed key result areas
• provides input and advice to the Executive on major strategic and operational issues
• approves policy advice to be submitted to Ministers
• ensures that all governance and fiduciary responsibilities are discharged.

Conditions of Appointment

Time Commitment

Board members are likely to be appointed for initial periods of three years. Membership is part-time (up to 15 days per year). The Board meets around seven times per year, with additional meetings for the Board Standing Committees.

Remuneration

Membership is unpaid, but the Authority meets travelling and subsistence expenses. In addition the Authority compensates members' employers up to a maximum of £153 per day, in respect of costs which they necessarily incur as a result of members' absence on Authority business.

Code of Practice

Members are expected to observe the Authority's Code of Practice, which requires them to abide by the principle of collective responsibility, not to make use of privileged information drawn from the Authority's deliberations, and not to speak or write publicly about the Authority’s business without the prior agreement of the Chairman.