Clerk for Local Governance

Thank you for your interest in the post of Clerk for Local Governance. This is a critically important role for our Trust. 

We are looking for dynamic individuals to join our central team, to work with Trustees, Governors and the Executive, in achieving our strategic and statutory responsibilities. Working alongside our Operations Director and the Governance, Compliance and Operations team, you will support us in driving forward Governance and Compliance across the Trust. The role combines the opportunity to demonstrate impact both within and across schools. 

This role is newly established due to a re-organisation of Governance and a decision to bring Clerking in-house. We are very flexible with regard to the post being full or part time in order to accommodate strong candidates, although the full time role would cover all 9 LGBs. Thee role can be offered flexibly and we support hybrid working. 

The priority will be to support the Chairs of the LGBs but additional duties will be included, should the post holder work full time. These duties will fall under the Governance, Compliance and Operations team and will be discussed at interview. We are ideally looking for candidates with recent Clerking experience, who are flexible in their approach. This role will require travel to each of the allocated school sites, to support the meetings. 

Each of our nine schools has a LGB which provides support and challenge to our school leaders. They also monitor the quality of provision and the outcomes that children achieve, with a focus on safeguarding, special educational needs and supporting the most disadvantaged. Crucial to the effective functioning of each of these LGBs is the role of a Clerk for Local Governance, who will provide excellent support, guidance and advice to the LGB. 

This role will work alongside other clerks within the Trust’s Central Governance, Compliance and Operations Team, as well as with governors and the Executive to deliver a high quality, efficient and effective clerking service across the Trust. We are seeking candidates who have the experience and expertise to directly contribute to the success of each LGB. 

We are looking for Clerks who can support, advise and proactively guide us in the performance of our role. Hence the individual will need to have a good understanding of the requirements and expectations of the LGB, the credibility and manner to quickly earn the respect, confidence and trust of governors, the ability to quickly gain an understanding of the Trust’s constitution and the regulatory context in which we operate and succinctly, promptly and accurately minute the issues under discussion at our meetings.

Our Clerks are instrumental in providing professional guidance and advice to the LGBs, supporting meetings and ensuring that they receive comprehensive and effective administrative support in line with the Trust and NGA standards.

Whilst the role can be hybrid, LGB meetings are face to face. You will be required to attend LGB meetings and PEX panels in-person, however other elements of the role can be hybrid. There are 4 LGB meetings per school across the year, plus additional panels such as exclusions and hearings. In addition, the Clerks will support across the Trust to ensure compliance and effective operations. The details of this aspect of the role will be discussed at interview and will be determined by the hours offered. The most important aspect of the role is to be an effective Clerk to our LGBs.

Due to the nature of the role, work hours may vary. An ability to work flexibly would be an advantage. Some LGBs meeting occur during the early evening but this should not be a reason not to apply as there is flexibility with this.

Reporting

This role will report into the Governance Professional for the Trust who is currently the Operations Director.