In a maintained school, yes — on the principles, at least.
Before the governing body makes or revises the written statement of general principles the head teacher must have regard to, it must consult the head, staff, parents and pupils. It picks which staff and how, so this is a duty to consult, not a vote or a veto. Academies are not covered by this section.
updated 8 Jul 2026last checked 2 Aug 2026
What the source actually says
The governing body’s duty to produce the statement in the first place:
“In particular, the governing body— (a) must make, and from time to time review, a written statement of general principles to which the head teacher is to have regard in determining any measures under section 89(1)”
— Education and Inspections Act 2006, s.88(2)(a), current text as revised legislation
And the consultation that has to happen first:
“Before making or revising the statement required by subsection (2)(a) the governing body must consult (in such manner as appears to them to be appropriate)— (a) the head teacher, (b) such other persons who work at the school (whether or not for payment) as it appears to the governing body to be appropriate to consult, (c) parents of registered pupils at the school, and (d) registered pupils at the school.”
— ibid., s.88(3) legislation
Two limits sit inside that sentence. The manner of consulting is the governing body’s own choice, and so is which of the people who work at the school get consulted — “as it appears to the governing body to be appropriate”. The duty is to consult, and the statute attaches no procedure, no minimum period and no requirement to act on what it hears.
The section also fixes which schools it reaches:
”“ relevant school ” means— (a) a community, foundation or voluntary school, (b) a community or foundation special school, (c) a maintained nursery school, (d) a pupil referral unit, or (e) a school approved by the Secretary of State F1 …under section 342 of EA 1996 (approval of non-maintained special schools);”
— ibid., s.88(5) legislation
Academies are not on that list, so an academy’s consultation practice comes from its own policy or funding agreement, not from s.88.
Your school may still require it
Being consulted is not the same as being agreed with. Once the statement of principles is settled and the head has determined the measures under it, your school can require you to apply the policy exactly as written, however you answered the consultation — and it can lawfully go further than the law requires in what it asks of you.
See also Does my school have to have a behaviour policy? and Can my school ban me from searching pupils or using reasonable force?.