We are currently recruiting for the role of Clerk to the Governors. Closing date for applications is Friday 5th January 2018. Interviews will be held on 9th January 2018.
Overview of the Role
The Clerk to Governors is a key role in supporting the govening body. In many schools the role is focused around record keeping and minute taking for meetings. In practice the clerk is responsible for a number of key matters related to the effective management of the governing body in addition to records and minutes.
The governing body of Kempsford School considers the Clerk role to be key to effective working and remunerates the role accordingly. Professional development and training opportunities are available to the clerk as well.
The governing body conducts much business electronically and familiarity with typical office software (e.g. Microsoft Word, Adobe PDF, etc.) is vital. A laptop is made available to the clerk for access to records and documentation, much of the role can be undertaken remotely without the requirement to be on the school premises.
Role and Accountability
The Clerk to the Governing Body is an independent officer of the Governing Body who is accountable to the Governing Body for all matters relating to his/her duties in this office.
The Clerk is responsible for the following functions:
- (a) advising the Governing Body with regard to the operation of its powers;
- (b) advising the Governing Body with regard to procedural matters;
- (c) advising the Governing Body with regard to the conduct of its business; and
- (d) advising the Governing Body with regard to matters of governance practice.
Services to be provided by the Clerk
- Advise the Governing Body so that it works within its powers and in accordance with relevant law, regulations and standing orders
- Plan and manage the work of the Governing Body to achieve the efficient conduct of its business
- Maintain a record of the Governing Body’s standing orders, and governor records, including membership, eligibility, attendance, etc. as required by national or local regulations
- Promote governance improvement
- Arrange for the search, appointment and induction of new members
- Provide governance support
Timing and Workload
There are six Full Governing body (FGB) meetings per year. For a clerk we assume that each meeting is at least 10 hours of work. We have also allowed for an additional 3 hours per short term (6 short terms per year) for records and paperwork maintenance. The minimum anticipated number of hours per year then is 78 hours.
Although it is considered best practice to have the “Clerk to Governors” also provide clerk services to sub-committee meetings it isn’t common and we generally rotate the clerking role and minute taking between committee members. There will be 7 additional formal meetings per year (4 Resources Committee and 3 Ethos Committee); based on past experience we suggest that they take 4-5 hours each (30m preparation, 1½ hours meeting, 3 hours writing up). Potentially that may be up to an additional 35 hours per year for the clerk in their role.
The exact hours will be by agreement with the governing body depending on the clerk’s availablity to cover the various meetings that are held across the year.
Application
For further details, to apply and for any questions that you might have please contact the Chair of Governors (Darren Jeffrey) via email at chair@kempsford.gloucs.sch.uk (alternatively contact the school office to be put in touch via telephone).