Boards were first appointed in 1973 as part of a general reorganisation of local government and are reappointed every four years. Their role is one of establishing practical and advisory systems to support schools and colleges. Their duties include, among other things, ensuring that there are sufficient schools of all kinds and colleges of further education to meet the educational needs of their areas. Boards are wholly responsible for the schools and colleges under their management. In addition, they are responsible for the costs of capital works at controlled schools, the maintenance of voluntary maintained school premises, for providing equipment in those schools and meeting their running costs through the local management of schools.
Boards are also responsible for the school meals service in maintained schools.