• Governance Professional 

  Reports to: Trust Governance Professional  and Chief Operating Officer

  Pay range: £25,584 - £27,269 full time salary per annum, plus 14% holiday enhancement p/h 

  Part-time hours: zero hour contract, approximately up to 5 - 20 hours per week depending on number of schools

   

  Black Pear Trust is a growing multi-academy trust based in Worcestershire; we currently comprise of 8 schools but are an ambitious and growing Trust who are proud support many other schools with professional Governance Services.  

  As part of our ongoing commitment to education we are expanding our Trust central team; the post of Governance Professional will help us to deliver a strong and effective governance support service to the growing network of schools we support. 

  We seek a colleague who will work with our existing governance team to support governing bodies using strong administrative and organisational skills to support effective and efficient governance that in turn supports senior and executive leaders in making a difference to children’s lives. 

   

  Details 

  This post is part-time, around 5 - 20 hours per week during term time – depending on the number of schools the successful candidate chooses to support. 

  Meetings take place in a variety of schools where you would attend to take minutes and provide advice to Governors or Trustees. Those meetings usually occur during the evening but some can be at other times. You will also be required to complete other administrative tasks to support Governing Bodies/Trust Boards. 

  The role of Governance Professional is predominantly home-based but travel to meetings will be required. The role is intended to be term-time only but some flexibility is required. 

  Previous experience would be a distinct advantage, but full training could be provided for the right candidate.  

  You must have own transport, stable internet access and a means to secure confidential papers. You must be computer literate with excellent communication skills, highly organised and self-motivated. 

  Principal Accountabilities 

  Prepare meeting agendas in consultation with the chair of trustees or chair of governors and CEO or headteacher. Ensure statutory and standard items are included on the agenda at the relevant meeting. Issue agendas, papers and notices of all governance meetings within the legal timescale. 

  Attend governance meetings to take accurate minutes of the meeting and provide advice and guidance. Minutes should reflect clearly the discussions and decisions taken.

  Circulate draft minutes within an agreed timescale. 

  Administer the organisation and clerking for governor panels such as pupil discipline, staff grievance, staff discipline and complaints within the trust and/or other schools supported via an SLA. 

  Maintain a suitable record of signed minutes, meeting papers, terms of reference, approved policies, a schedule of policy review dates, attendance records, acceptance of apologies, the current Articles of Association or Instrument of Government and other relevant documentation. Archive information at agreed periods. 

  Update and maintain high level knowledge of and liaise with the local authority (LA) and Department for Education (DfE) as appropriate on issues relating to governance, in order to advise trustees or governors on relevant procedural matters, policy issues and current/relevant legislation and statutory requirements. 

  Give advice and support to new trustees or governors and those taking on new roles such as chair. 

  When appropriate, provide advice and feedback to governors in meetings. 

  Actively participate in training sessions to share best practice across the team. 

  Provide high level administrative support to the chair of governors, e.g.: produce a Governance Planner that shows all meetings and main actions for the governing body and committees at different points in the year. 

  The post holder is responsible for ensuring that the trust’s equalities policy is fully implemented in all areas of his/her work as is the trust’s health and safety policy and agreed codes of practice and that he/she works within the confines of GDPR. 

  Your duties will be as set out in the above job description but please note that the trust reserves the right to update your job description, from time to time, to reflect changes in, or to, your job. You will be consulted about any proposed changes. 

  The list of duties in the job description should not be regarded as exclusive or exhaustive. There will be other duties and requirements associated with your job and, in addition, as a term of your employment you may be required to undertake various other duties as may reasonably be required. 

Maintain records of current governors, including names, addresses, areas of responsibility, membership of committees and terms of office, ensuring information is always accurate. Ensure governors have signed a declaration of eligibility and completed an annual declaration of pecuniary interests.  

Liaise with the governing body/LA/Diocese when governors’ terms of office are due to come to an end. Administer elections for new parent governors and staff governors when required, overseeing the democratic process in line with government requirements. Provide relevant information as agreed by the governing body, (including the Guide to the Law) for all new governors. 

Educated to minimum of NVQ Level 3 or equivalent 

Experienced administrator and record keeper