Governance Clerk — Remote Support to Governors

Teaching Vacancies; Devon and Torbay; Hybrid; GBP 23,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

Woodlands School in Plymouth, in the South West of England, is seeking a Governance Clerk to support the Governing Body with professional advice, robust admin systems and confidential information management.

You will advise on governance legislation, prepare agendas and minutes, maintain records of membership and training, coordinate elections and disclosures, and ensure compliance with statutory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Advise the Governing Body on governance legislation, constitutional requirements and meeting procedures.
• Act as the main point of contact for governors on procedural and governance matters.
• Keep governors informed of relevant legal, regulatory or school-status changes and seek specialist advice where needed.
• Promote effective governance practice, including self-evaluation, succession planning and skills development.
• Support the review and approval of statutory policies and the annual governance calendar.
• Provide induction information and guidance for new governors and governors taking on additional roles.
• Maintain an annual meeting and work planner, including required agenda items and governance deadlines.
• Work with the Chair, Headteacher and School Business Manager to prepare focused agendas for Governing Body and committee meetings.
• Circulate agendas and supporting papers at least seven days before meetings, unless exceptional circumstances apply.
• Confirm that meetings are quorate and record attendance, apologies and declarations of interest.
• Produce clear and accurate draft minutes, including decisions, actions, responsible persons and timescales.
• Send draft minutes for review, circulate approved drafts to relevant people and follow up agreed actions.
• Maintain accurate records of governor membership, terms of office, categories, appointments and vacancies.
• Alert governors and appointing bodies before terms of office expire and support parent and staff governor elections.
• Provide procedural support for the election of the Chair and Vice‑Chair, including chairing the relevant part of the meeting where required.
• Maintain registers of business and pecuniary interests and support appropriate Disclosure and Barring Service checks.
• Maintain records of attendance and training, issue reminders and advise the Chair of any potential disqualification or compliance concern.
• Coordinate skills audits and identify training or recruitment needs.
• Maintain accurate governance records, including contact details, terms of office, committee membership, terms of reference and nominated governor roles.
• Keep the Key Governors Hub, Get Information about Schools (GIAS) record and relevant governance information up to date.
• Maintain signed minutes, correspondence, approved policies, guidance and archive records in line with retention and confidentiality requirements.
• Publish or share governance information with the school website, local authority or other bodies as required or agreed.
• Respond appropriately to governance enquiries from staff, families and external contacts, referring operational matters to the correct person.
• Clerk statutory appeal committees or panels where this forms part of the agreed role; otherwise support the Governing Body to arrange suitable clerking.
• Prepare briefing papers and contribute to governor training where appropriate.
• Undertake other reasonable governance‑related duties agreed with the Governing Body.
• Keep up to date with education, governance and legislative developments.
• Complete relevant training and participate in performance management.

Job description

Woodlands School in Plymouth, in the South West of England, is seeking a Governance Clerk to support the Governing Body with professional advice, robust admin systems and confidential information management.

You will advise on governance legislation, prepare agendas and minutes, maintain records of membership and training, coordinate elections and disclosures, and ensure compliance with statutory requirements.