Community Governor

Job Description

LOCAL GOVERNOR

The role of a local Governor:

The individuals on a Local Governing Body (LGB) are called Governors (while the individuals on the Board of Trustees are called Trustees). The LGB is collectively accountable to the Trustees for the performance of the institution that it oversees and is accountable for decisions that it makes under delegated authority from the Trustees.

The term fo a local governor would usuallybe approximately four years.

The role of a local Governor is not to:

• Manage day to day College operations - that is the role of the College Principal and senior staff; the role of Governors is to set strategy and hold the Principal to account for delivery of that strategy and performance.
• Assess the quality of teaching, or the quality of individual staff - that is the role of the Principal through teaching and learning and performance management processes; the role of Governors is to ensure that students are making appropriate progress and that educational and HR outcomes are as expected.

Requirements of Governors

There are four key requirements for each Governor:

1. Be compliant

• Ensure that you are, and remain, compliant with the requirements of the Articles of Association regarding eligibility to be a Trustee as if you were a Trustee.
• Ensure that you always comply with these expectations for Governors, as set out in the Code of Conduct for Trustees and Governors.
• Ensure that you comply with policies of the Trust that apply to Governors, including the Scheme of Delegation, Financial Procedures, and the policy and practice regarding conflicts of interest.

2. Be prepared

• Understand the College through reading, discussion, and meeting the Principal and Chair of the LGB.
• Read the legal framework for the College and the operations of the Trust by reading material issued to you (e.g. Articles of Association, Academy Trust Handbook, Scheme of Delegation, Ofsted inspection framework) and seek clarification where necessary.
• Reading sector briefings and educational news articles in the press.
• Commit to training and development opportunities organized by or through the Trust or College.

3. Actively participate

• Attend meetings of the LGB.
• Participate in the College visit programme to get to know the College and so to benefit you in your role as Governor.
• Read all papers for meetings in advance of the meetings and then ask questions of either clarification or that aid further understanding and so help discussion about the decisions required.
• Contribute at meetings, ensuring that you speak, act, and vote in what you believe to be the best interests of the College.

4. Act appropriately

• Operate as a member of a team.
• Respect confidentiality of information and opinions and the need for the LGB to have in-depth and private discussions.
• Act within the framework of the policies of the Trustees, LGB and legal requirements.
• Respect all LGB collective decisions and support them in public.

Likely time commitment for Governors

In terms of the time commitment, for those Governors besides those with specific roles, it is likely to be:

• 6 full LGB meetings a year, which are usually in the evening.
• Undertake one or two Governor visits to the College annually.
• Attendance at training or strategy events where required.
• Attendance at any necessary Governor panels (such as for staff matters) - these are set up as required and are not expected to be required often.
• The Principal may request attendance from Governors at events for staff or students and Governors are encouraged to attend if possible.

Person specification for Governors

An effective Governor will demonstrate:

• A commitment to securing the best educational outcomes for all students.
• A commitment to the vision, values, and objectives of the College.
• Understanding of the role of a Governor and experience of non-executive governance.
• A commitment to the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of being a member and adhering to Nolan's seven principles of public life.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, both in person and via electronic communication (including email and video / audio conferencing).
• An ability to evaluate and make use of a wide range of information and data, to question effectively in a manner that encourages reflection and helps move discussion forward.
• Impartial and evidence-based decision making.
• The capacity to develop specific knowledge and understanding of the College and its community.
• A sense of fairness.
• A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Tact and diplomacy.
• An ability to behave as a member of a team.
• An ability to respect confidentiality.
• A commitment to participate in training and self-evaluation

All enquiries and applications shoudl be sent to clerk@colchsfc.ac.uk

Information about the School

The Sixth Form College, Colchester is one of the largest and most successful 16-19 providers of general sixth form education in the country Our aim is to provide broad, high quality academic and general education programme Currently we have over 3000 full time students on roll and the importance of the development of each individual student is recognised. Operating as a young adult environment the College provides a bridge between the worlds of school and of higher education or employment. In September 2024 the Sixth Form College, Colchester and Long Road Sixth Form College, Cambridge merged and formed The Sixth Form Colleges Trust.