Head of Governance at The Dunstan Catholic Educational Trust
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About this Role
Head of Governance
Hours: 15 hours per week (2 days)
Contract: Permanent, term time plus 2 weeks
Working pattern: Hybrid and flexible
Salary: £57,775–£65,090 FTE (pro rata £19,868–£22,383)
Shape governance. Enable excellence. Influence the future.
This is an exceptional moment to join the Dunstan Catholic Educational Trust (DCET). Since opening in March 2022 as one of the first Catholic multi-academy trusts in the Clifton Diocese, we have grown rapidly - from six founding schools to thirteen thriving primary schools across the South West.
We now serve over 2,300 pupils, supported by 250 dedicated staff. And this is only the beginning.
With the Bishop’s ambitious vision, the Trust is entering a new phase of growth - expanding to over 25 schools, spanning primary and secondary education, and serving children from nursery through to 18.
This role sits at the heart of that journey.
The opportunity:
We are seeking an exceptional Head of Governance to lead, shape and elevate governance across our Trust. This is more than a technical role. It is a strategic leadership position with real influence.
You will be the trusted adviser to the Trust Board, bringing clarity to complexity, assurance to decision-making, and integrity to every aspect of governance. You will not simply support governance. You will define what outstanding governance looks like in a growing Catholic Trust.
You will work at the centre of the organisation, alongside trustees, executive leaders and governance professionals - ensuring that governance is not only compliant, but purposeful, intelligent and impactful.
Accountable to the Trust Board and line managed by the Chair, you will also lead and develop the Governance Support Team.
Your impact - In this role, you will:
Lead governance with clarity and purpose
- Design and deliver a high-quality, future-ready governance support model aligned to Trust growth
- Ensure governance structures are effective, proportionate and strategically focused
- Build capacity and capability across the governance function
Be the expert voice
- Provide authoritative advice on charity law, company law and the academy regulatory framework
- Guide trustees and leaders through complex, sensitive and high-stakes decisions
- Anticipate risk, surface key issues, and enable confident, informed governance
Strengthen board effectiveness
- Shape board composition, ensuring the right blend of skills, experience and perspective
- Lead recruitment, induction and ongoing development of trustees
- Support evaluation, succession planning and continuous improvement
Drive compliance and assurance
- Oversee company secretarial responsibilities and statutory compliance
- Lead on risk management, assurance frameworks and governance reporting
- Ensure governance is a driver of accountability, not just oversight
Enable a culture of excellence
- Promote best practice, thought leadership and continuous improvement in governance
- Coach and support the Chair and Trustees to maximise effectiveness
- Build strong relationships with the Diocese, DfE and sector partners
Who we are looking for:
You are a confident, credible and principled governance professional who:
- Brings deep knowledge of academy trust governance, charity and company law
- Has experience advising boards at a senior level
- Can influence, challenge and support with professionalism and integrity
- Understands risk, assurance and organisational accountability
- Thrives in complexity and anticipates issues before they arise
- Communicates with clarity, precision and authority
- Is committed to excellence, ethics and service
You will be equally comfortable operating strategically and attending to detail—whether advising the Chair, shaping governance structures, or ensuring the accuracy of board records.
What we offer:
- A flexible, hybrid working model that supports work-life balance
- A collaborative, values-led environment rooted in purpose
- Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme
- Strong professional development opportunities within a growing Trust
- Access to sector-leading CPD through organisations such as the Confederation of School Trusts and National Governance Association
- Generous annual leave, increasing with service
- A comprehensive and supportive handover from experienced governance professionals
Be part of something growing
This is a rare opportunity to shape governance in a Trust with ambition, momentum and purpose. To build systems that enable excellence. To influence decisions that impact thousands of children. To ensure that growth is matched by integrity, accountability and vision. Join us and help define what exceptional governance looks like.
For more information, please call our central office on 01278 226006 or email recruitment@thedcet.com
Closing date: 18th May 2026
Interview date: WC 3rd June 2026
The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, this role involves directly working with children and significant contact with children, and therefore we expect all staff and volunteers to share the same commitment. Please ensure a full work history is completed in your application form including any gaps of employment. Applicants will be required to complete satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check for this post prior to commencement. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974. The Trust is an equal opportunities employer.
If successfully shortlisted the HR Department will also be conducting an individual online search including social media platforms of your ‘name, education and employment’, to demonstrate due diligence following ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ guidance. The search will not form part of the actual shortlisting process and any concerns arising from the search will be discussed directly with you.
Related Documents
Contact Details
Sherilyn Steane
01278 226006
SSteane@thedcet.com
The Dunstan Catholic Educational Trust
Open Data obtained from: Department for EducationSomerset
TA6 7EE
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