Clerk to Governors

Job title: Clerk to Governing Body

Salary: C1 £28,598 - £31,022 (pro-rata approx. £8,800 per annum)

Hours: 11.25 per week

Contract: Permanent

Location: Home based with a requirement to attend meetings in-person in schools

As a clerk to governors you'll thrive on supporting schools and governing boards to make a difference to the education of children in Leeds.

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.

About you

As a clerk to governors, you will bring to the role:

• A keen interest in education
• Accurate minuting skills
• The ability to organise yourself and others
• An eye for detail and being a great listener
• Strong commitment and motivation

About the role

As a clerk to governors, following training, you'll become a governance professional who provides accurate, comprehensive minutes that evidence effective governance. You'll also offer support and signpost development opportunities to governing boards - the strategic leaders of our schools. In return you'll be highly valued, meet some of the most interesting people from all walks of life, gain a deep understanding of our education system and know you play an important part in the education of children. You'll have responsibility for up to ten schools and clerk approximately 50 meetings per year. You'll need to be flexible and well organised because you'll be attending meetings on different days and times each week. You'll be based at home, with secure IT equipment provided, but will attend meetings in schools across the city. Most of the 530 hours per year occur in term time freeing clerks up for the school holidays.

The role is integral to the Governor Support Service - a successful team that really makes a positive impact on the lives of children.

What we offer you

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

• a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
• membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
• flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
• a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
• a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

How to apply

Please complete the online application form.

Read our guidance for further advice on completing your application.

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact our team. Call 0113 3785213 or email education.governors@leeds.gov.uk.

This is a rolling advert and interviews will take place regularly determined by number of applicants.

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.
This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Please ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job Description

Job purpose

To ensure that a professional clerking service is provided to a number of school governing boards, including the provision of professional and timely advice on procedural, legal and constitutional matters and duties and powers, working within the current legislative framework and that excellent customer service is provided and confidentiality requirements are observed.

Responsibilities

• To work from home using IT equipment provided by the local authority, liaising with IT support as necessary (own internet access is required)
• Adhering to strict administrative protocols in order to meet the service's and data protection requirements.
• Produce and distribute the agenda and papers for meetings of the governing body in an efficient and timely manner to meet the stringent requirements of legislation and the service level agreement.
• Advise the governing body on governance legislation and procedural matters where necessary before, during and after meetings.
• Attend and take detailed notes of governing body meetings and prepare minutes that record all decisions accurately and objectively with timescales for actions together with evidence of governors fulfilling their strategic role.
• Maintain an up to date database of governing body memberships and terms of office
• Pre-empt vacancies and support governors with recruitment
• Ensure that the governing body complies with regulations regarding appointments and resignations to the governing body.
• Ensure that the governing body is aware of statutory policies and statutory responsibilities and give appropriate advice and guidance to enable the governing body to meet them.
• Support governor learning and development at meetings/sessions.
• Ensure the senior officer is aware of good practice or any issues that may affect the performance of the governing body
• Deputise for other clerks to governing bodies as required.

Essential requirements

It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.

• Assimilate complex information
• Provide appropriate advice and information for a wide audience
• Communicate effectively in both written( including word processing), email correspondence and spoken word
• Use databases, spreadsheets and templates
• Work to deadlines and balance conflicting priorities / needs
• Work on own initiative
• Organise, clerk meetings and record key information accurately
• Present information clearly and produce standard letters and minutes
• Work as a team member to ensure that services are effective and maintain good channels of communication
• Time management to ensure deadlines are met at all times, including hot spots throughout the year
• To develop good customer relations
• To motivate others

Essential Behavioural and other Characteristics

• Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
• Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
• Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
• Carry out all duties having regard to an employee's responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
• Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities.
• Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
• Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
• Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
• Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity policies of Leeds City Council.
• Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.
• The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.

Desirable requirements

It is desirable that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates are not required to meet all the desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between candidates.

• Have proven skills in clerking governance meetings
• Knowledge of governance procedures and regulations
• Knowledge of meeting procedures (notice, quorum, confidentiality etc)
• Geographical knowledge of Leeds and ability to travel between different school sites
• A basic knowledge and understanding of the context of the education system
• A full driving license.