PSA Chair

Role of the PSA Chair

Information provided by Parentkind

It’s best practice to have the role of the PSA Chair filled. If your PSA’s Chair leaves mid-year, or if you’re finding it difficult to recruit someone into the role, the job can be done by other committee members taking it in turns to chair your meetings. The PSA Chair (or any other committee member) may not step down if doing so leaves less than the minimum number of committee members required by your constitution.

Some associations have Co-Chairs or Joint-Chairs. In this case, both individuals are equally responsible for fulfilling the role and should take it in turns to chair meetings. They should decide before the start of the meeting who will chair it, and who will hold the casting vote.

A Vice-Chair is different to Co-Chairs or Joint-Chairs. If you have a Vice-Chair, they will deputise for the PTA Chair, and would step into the role of PTA Chair if they are absent or step down. The skills required for a vice-Chair are the same as for the Chair.

Main purpose of PSA Chair

The PSA Chair directs your committee’s meetings, making sure everyone’s views are heard, and that everyone is involved in the meeting. They should make sure all committee members are familiar with the association’s constitution, model policies if applicable, and their role and responsibilities as a committee member (and trustee, if your PSA is registered as a charity). The PSA Chair also holds the casting vote where there is tied vote. This usually defers the decision to the following meeting, allowing committee members more time to consider and discuss the matter.

Duties and responsibilities of the PSA Chair

  • Prepares for meetings (with the Secretary) 
  • Invites committee members, parents, and staff to PSA committee meetings 
  • Suggests items for the agenda 
  • Identifies outstanding items from the last meeting 
  • Prepares introductions for any new committee members attending 
  • Sets the ground rules for meetings, and makes sure they are inclusive and efficient 
  • Delegates tasks to other committee members and volunteers, and checks they’re completed 
  • Liaises with the school, and requests a​‘wish list’ for the PSA committee to use when deciding which projects to fund 
  • Ensures the committee fulfils its role in respect of the governance of the association as set out in its constitution – for example, holding an AGM, electing committee members, working with the Treasurer to ensure annual returns are completed if the PSA is registered as a charity 
  • Ensures any decisions made are clear, fit the objectives of the association, and are made by agreement of the committee as per your PSA’s constitution
  • The PSA Chair cannot make decisions alone: all decisions must be made by the whole PSA committee
  • Writes the annual report for the association (with the Secretary)
  • Writes the Chair’s report for the AGM
  • Can be a signatory on the PSA bank account (along with at least one other committee member)
  • Makes sure the association is GDPR-compliant.

Key Skills:

  • Confident and assertive – able to control meetings and call them to order when necessary, making sure everyone has an opportunity to speak
  • Able to remain impartial – ensures contributions are brief and that everyone’s views are respected
  • Calm, friendly and approachable – as the main point of contact for the PSA for all members, the PSA Chair must be inclusive, and make sure everyone feels welcome
  • Organised and able to delegate – most PSAs organise a lot of activities. The PTA Chair should make sure the workload is shared and that tasks are completed as agreed