Governance Officer - Exceed Academies Trust

KIRKLEES COUNCIL ARE ADVERTISING THIS ROLE ON BEHALF OF EXCEED ACADEMIES TRUST.

Location: Based at Horton Park Primary School, however regular travel between Trust academy sites as required. Flexibility to work from home as required.

Core purpose

Working with the Governance Manager and wider Trust Central Team, the Governance Officer will support in ensuring effective governance practices throughout the Trust. The Governance Officer will provide governance support to Local Advisory Boards (LAB) across the Trust, working effectively with Chairs of Governors, Headteachers and LAB members to ensure that governors fulfil their roles and responsibilities in relation to the Trust’s overarching governance arrangements, within the Trust’s Scheme of Delegation and Articles of Association. The postholder would also support with providing advice and guidance to the Members and the Board of Trustees, as required, and would assist with the development and delivery of Trust-wide governance briefings, communications, recruitment, and training.

Duties and responsibilities

Advice and Information

• Advise governors on Trust governance regulations and procedural matters where necessary before, during and after meetings
• Ensure that the Local Advisory Boards are fully aware of their roles and responsibilities and support them in fulfilling these
• Support the Local Advisory Boards in adhering to best practice in governance, including in respect of their individual and collective performance
• Support the Governance Manager in monitoring and ensure that statutory policies are in place and are adhered to
• Work with the Governance Manager to prepare the annual calendar of governance meetings and advise governors accordingly
• Actively support new (and existing) governors to ensure that they are comfortable and confident in their roles and encourage completion of regular governing training opportunities
• In association with the Governance Manager, support governors, as required, who are taking on new roles, such as that of Chair or a Link role
• Seek timely and appropriate legal and governance advice and guidance, through the Governance Manager and other sources, as required
• Support the Governance Manager in assisting schools with general parental/community complaints and exclusion procedures
• Provide support to schools on matters of compliance such as website statutory requirements through ongoing reviews and checks

Effective Administration of Governance Meetings

• Work with Headteachers and Chairs of Governors to prepare clear agendas in line with Trust requirements
• Distribute the agenda and papers according to the agreed timetable and distribution processes
• Ensure that meetings are quorate, and that Governors operate within the remit of the Scheme of Delegation and Terms of Reference
• Attend meetings and prepare clear and accurate minutes of those meetings, including objective records of all decisions and agreed actions
• Send draft minutes to the Chair and Headteacher for amendment/approval, circulating the approved draft to all governors within the timescale agreed 
• Record the attendance of governors at meetings and take appropriate action, in liaison with the Governance Manager, regarding absence
• Set up and administer governor panels, with the support of the Governance Manager, including panel hearings for complaints, exclusions, staff discipline

Records Management and Administration

• Maintain accurate Local Advisory Board records, including agendas and meeting papers, signed minutes, board members, terms of office and link roles/responsibilities
• Ensure that Governors’ details are kept up to date on the DfE website
• Work with the Governance Manager regarding governor recruitment and succession planning as necessary
• Advise Governors and the relevant appointing bodies in advance of the expiry of a Governor’s term of office, in order that elections or appointments can be organised in a timely manner
• Initiate welcome letters and induction packs for newly appointed governors
• Assist schools with elections of parent and staff governors
• Ensure governors maintain and regularly update (as a minimum annually) their declarations of interest and produce collated Registers of Interests for the schools ensuring that they are published appropriately
• Ensure that Disclosure and Barring (DBS) checks are carried out as required, in collaboration with the school and the Trust HR Team
• Encourage governor training and development and signpost it, liaising with the Governance Manager
• Maintain a record of training undertaken by Governors individually and collectively, ensuring adherence to any agreed requirements
• Ensure that copies of statutory policies and other school documents approved by the LAB are maintained at the school and that documentation/information regarding governance which is posted on the schools’ websites is accurate and up to date
• Support Local Advisory Boards in respect of reviews of skills and effectiveness

Personal Development

• Undertake appropriate and regular training and development to maintain his/her knowledge and improve practice
• Keep up to date with current educational developments and legislation affecting school governance
• Participate in regular performance management processes
• Perform such other tasks as may be determined from time to time.

Relationships

The post-holder should take considerable pride in their work and the strength of their working relationships.  They need to be adaptable, work flexibly, possess excellent written and verbal communication skills, use their own initiative, and have exceptional attention to detail.

Working Practices

There is a flexible approach to working from home. A driving license is required. The post-holder will need their own car, insured to cover business use.  Expenses will be paid for business travel. You will be required to work flexibly to support the needs of the Trust as some early evening work is required due to the nature of the role. However, meeting cycles/dates are generally known well in advance.

N.B. The duties and responsibilities highlighted in this job specification are indicative and may vary over time.  Post holders are expected to undertake other duties and responsibilities relevant to the nature, level and scope of the post and the grade has been established on this basis.

Recruitment process                     

If you would like to discuss this opportunity in further detail, please contact Emma Hendry, Chief HR Officer on 07967 390793 or email emmahendry@exceedacademiestrust.co.uk

Exceed Academies Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff within the Trust to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be required to undertake an enhanced DBS check and to register with the DBS update service.

Please return completed application forms by email to: recruitment@exceedacademiestrust.co.uk

Interviews will be held: Week of 18th July 2022