Job Description
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Clerk to the Governing Body (Governance Professional)
Salary: Negotiable, dependant on experience and qualifications
Contract type: Flexibility to appoint on self-employed, casual or agreed-hours basis
Start date: ASAP
Closing date: Midday on Friday 30th October 2026
Interview dates: Shortly following the closing date
The King Edmund School is seeking an organised, reliable and professional Clerk to the Governing Body to provide high-quality clerking and governance support to our Governing Body and its committees. This is an important role in supporting effective school governance, ensuring that meetings are well organised, decisions are accurately recorded and governors receive the information and procedural guidance they need to fulfil their responsibilities.
The successful candidate will work closely with the Chair of Governors, Headteacher and other members of the Governing Body. They will demonstrate excellent attention to detail, discretion and the confidence to provide impartial procedural advice. We welcome applications from experienced school clerks and governance professionals, as well as candidates with strong administrative, organisational and minute-taking skills who are interested in developing their expertise in school governance.
Key Responsibilities:
- Organise Governing Body and committee meetings, including scheduling, preparing agendas and circulating relevant papers.
- Attend meetings, take accurate and impartial minutes, and circulate draft minutes promptly.
- Maintain a record of decisions, actions, attendance and declarations of interest.
- Provide advice and guidance on governance procedures, constitutional requirements and relevant statutory responsibilities, seeking specialist advice where appropriate.
- Maintain the governance calendar, ensuring key deadlines, statutory requirements and policy reviews are monitored.
- Maintain accurate and confidential governance records and ensure documents are stored and shared appropriately.
- Support governor appointments, elections, induction, training and the maintenance of membership records.
- Work with the Chair of Governors to ensure meetings are effective and actions are followed up.
- Keep up to date with relevant guidance, legislation and developments in school governance.
- Support the administration of panels or hearings where required and where appropriately trained.
What We're Looking For:
The successful candidate will have excellent written communication and minute-taking skills, strong organisational ability and a professional approach to confidential information. They will be able to work independently, manage deadlines and communicate effectively with governors and senior leaders. Experience of school governance or clerking would be an advantage, but is not essential for a candidate with the right transferable skills and willingness to undertake appropriate training.
Why Join King Edmund School?
This is a school with immense potential and a powerful sense of purpose. You will be joining a supportive and committed team and will play a valuable part in ensuring our students are able to complete their examinations in a calm, fair and positive environment. If you are dependable, conscientious and enjoy working with young people, we would be delighted to hear from you.
Come and be part of something extraordinary!
The school offers an extensive support programme, including mentor/buddy system, Initial Teacher Training support for Early Career Teachers (ECTs) or for those seeking Qualified Teacher Status (QTS / QTLS), a system of twilight training sessions, as well as excellent development opportunities. Staff benefits include free car parking, onsite gymnasium and swimming pool as well as staff recognition schemes.
We also welcome and encourage telephone calls on 01702 560904 to register an interest or to find out more about the school and the role. If you wish to arrange an informal conversation or visit to the school prior to interview, we would be delighted to welcome you to KES prior to the closing date, to offer you the opportunity to get a real sense of the school first hand.
To arrange a visit, please email your request to Mrs Andrea Atkins - HR Manager at recruitment@kes.essex.sch.uk and provide your availability, as well as a contact telephone number.
The King Edmund School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All appointments will be subject to a satisfactory completion of safeguarding checks.
The King Edmund School is committed to creating a diverse workforce. We'll consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to sex, race, religion, belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, pregnancy, maternity, age, disability, marriage, or civil partnership.
Information about the School
The King Edmund School is a co-educational comprehensive school for students aged 11 to 19. KES, as it is better known to staff and students, is an Ofsted rated ‘Good’ single academy trust in Rochford, Essex, which serves a geographically and socially diverse area.
In the school's last Ofsted report in 2024, KES was awarded ‘Good’ and their values and ethos were clearly recognised in the findings. Students learn a well-designed and balanced curriculum that meets their needs and teachers have strong subject knowledge.
The school's values foster a supportive environment where everyone is encouraged to achieve their Personal Best. High aspirations, academic success, and a commitment to excellence are promoted. The inclusive community celebrates diversity, ensuring all students feel valued and respected. A safe, caring space is provided for students to grow, taking pride in their achievements both inside and outside of school.
Phase one of a multi-million-pound project to renovate the school, part of the Department of Education’s Rebuilding Schools for the Future initiative, is set to open in September 2025. The new two-storey building will feature 17 general classrooms, Art and Technical rooms, as well as new office space, meeting rooms, and a modern school hall, providing state-of-the-art facilities for students to learn in. Phase two begins this year and will redevelop the remainder of the school site over the next few years.
The school provides exceptional pastoral care and SEND provision through its dedicated teams, who are committed to helping students achieve their best results. With a traditional approach to uniform, behaviour, and work, the school maintains high standards while also prioritizing strong support for students and actively involving parents in these aspects of school life.
Students are rewarded for their achievements, inside and outside of school, through a House system. Each July those students who have displayed the most effort and progress over the past year are celebrated at an Awards Evening held at the prestigious Cliffs Pavilion in Southend. The school also takes part in the Jack Petchey Achievement Awards scheme.
Sixth Form students have their own block with a common room, canteen and IT Suite. Students have the choice of studying A levels, Level 2 and 3 vocational courses, as well as a T level in Education and Early Years.
Staff strive for every student to have high aspirations and they are relentless in their drive to support students to achieve well academically. However, their deeper passion is for all students, regardless of their ability, to reach their full potential.
Students leave KES ready to embrace the next chapter of their young lives, whether that be studying a degree at a Russell Group university when they leave Sixth Form, or starting an apprenticeship when they leave at the end of Year 11.
In the next academic year, KES will have facilities amongst the finest in the country and certainly nothing comparable locally, a huge incentive for both new staff and students to join the school.
To find out more about Life@KES, please visit our Social Media pages:
www.facebook.com/thekingedmundschool
www.instagram.com/thekingedmundschool