Independent Governor

JR United Kingdom; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job description

Role overview

The overall responsibility for ensuring that procedures, policies, and training are in place in CGS’s UK schools (including Bournemouth Collegiate School, Bosworth Independent School, CATS Cambridge, CSVPA, Guildhouse School, St Michael’s, and The Worthgate School), and that they are effectively managed and compliant with the law, lies with the proprietorial body. Responsibilities are outlined in the statutory guidance 'Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSiE) 2024'.

While the proprietor remains the accountable body, KCSiE recommends appointing governor members at the board level to provide guidance and leadership. The Independent Governor will collaborate with Head Teachers to ensure all schools and colleges meet legal and regulatory standards.

Independent Governors oversee management aspects such as strategy, policy, budgeting, and staffing. They support CGS schools to operate effectively, working alongside senior leaders and teachers to deliver excellent education. Attendance at governing body meetings is expected.

We are seeking to appoint two Independent Governors: one with commercial expertise in sales, school growth, and EBITDA enhancement; and another with experience in Ofsted/ISI inspections, senior/exec school leadership, preferably in a group of schools. Experience in EYFS is advantageous but not essential. These roles report directly to the Chair of Governors and the CEO.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the strategic oversight of the schools.
• Provide challenge, insight, and expertise to ensure compliance, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Support statutory responsibilities and decision-making, ensuring the schools operate in line with their mission, values, and legal obligations.
• Assist in monitoring and auditing practices and policies.
• Advise on financial targets.
• Collaborate effectively within the governing body, understanding the distinction between executive and governance roles.
• Make ethical, informed decisions fostering transparency and high standards.
• Lead internal audits to assess compliance with laws, regulations, and policies, including estates and ISI requirements.
• Support monitoring of ISI compliance and inspections.
• Organize audits of schools/colleges.
• Gather KPI data for meetings.
• Stay updated on regulatory and inspection changes, advising schools accordingly.
• Review and respond to exclusion appeals.
• Conduct complaints investigations as directed.

Person Specification

• Minimum five years of senior/executive school leadership experience.
• Deep knowledge of KCSIE and ISI requirements.
• Experience in school audits, safeguarding, and compliance, with ISI inspection familiarity; ISI inspector experience is desirable.

Our commitment to inclusion and diversity

We are dedicated to fostering diversity, inclusion, and belonging. Building on our core values—Pioneering, Persevering, People—we aim to host events, guest speakers, and focus groups to make CATS Global Schools an employer of choice.

And Finally

We are committed to diversity, inclusion, and belonging. All shortlisted candidates will complete a criminal declaration and undergo online checks, which may include social media screening.