Clerk to Governing Body

Salary: £26,539 - £27,196 per annum pro rata 
Contract type: Casual 
Working pattern: Casual 

Closing date: Midday, Friday 12 April 2024
Interview date: Monday 15 April 2024

How to apply:  Please complete an application form from our website Vacancies - Diocese of Chichester Academy Trust (dcat.academy) and send the completed form to HR team at hr@dcat.academy.

Who to contact if you have a query: please contact Danni Gregory, Trust Governance Professional on 07513 826002 or email dgregory@dcat.academy.

 Are you looking for a flexible and rewarding role? 

We are a thriving Trust on the south coast of England with an exciting opportunity for a Clerk to provide support to our Local Governing Body (LGB) schools in one or all of the following areas of East Sussex: Hastings, Northiam and Newick.  This role is a flexible, rewarding position that provides an interesting insight into the strategic aims and plans to constantly improve the education and welfare of local children. 

Applicants need to be reliable, confident, good with people and with an interest in school governance. You will need skills in good administrative practice and experience of minute taking. You will also need to be confident in the use of Word, Excel and e-mail and have access to a computer and the internet.  An understanding of confidentiality is essential for this role.  

Responsibilities will include:

• Working effectively with the chairs of the LGB, headteachers and other local governors to secure the continuity of Governing Body business. 
• Advising on procedural and legislative matters to ensure the LGB works to the legal framework and Trust scheme of delegation. 
• Completion of tasks including the preparation and circulation of papers, attendance at meetings and minute taking and maintaining a business calendar, including policy reviews.   

It is not essential to have previous clerking experience, although this would be helpful.  We are interested to hear from applicants that either hold a relevant award (BTEC level 3 in Clerk to the Governing Board or equivalent) or would be prepared to work towards a recognised accreditation.

Applicants must have a high level of ICT skills and confidence in communicating with people at all levels.  We are committed to staff development and opportunities for further CPD will be fully supported. If you believe you have the skills and attitude to thrive in this role, then we want to hear from you. 

Please see below a testimonial from a current clerk sharing their experience in the role.

When I started clerking, I was working in the NHS as a Surgical PA.  Long hours, strangely very little interaction with people, and I never saw my other half.  I happened to see an advert on a board for a Clerk to Governors.  I had never heard of this role, and I had no idea that schools had a Governing Body!  I got in touch with the Headteacher and was hooked.  I left my NHS role 2 months later.  Clerking is an incredible job.  It fits completely within my home circumstances.  I started with two schools and really became passionate about what the Governors were trying to do for the school and the role they played in holding leaders to account. Meetings can be worked around your lifestyle a fair amount (there does have to be a degree of flexibility on both sides) and the meetings are usually a very positive place to be.  The work outside of the meetings, which is the main part of the role, can be done to fit in with children and partners. It is a wonderful role which I can recommend to anyone.

Salary and Hours

You will be employed on a zero-hour contract and will be paid an hourly rate for attendance at LGB meetings, time taken in preparing for the meetings (e.g. agendas and minutes) and any other relevant administrative work or attendance at training courses directly supporting your role.

Salary - East Sussex Single Status, Grade 7, sp 18-19, £24,614 -£25,271 pro-rata (pay award pending) Travel expenses will be met, but this will be discussed in more detail at interview. 

Candidates should submit:

• A completed application form (CVs will not be acceptable)
• Completed applications should be sent to the HR team at  hr@dcat.academy.
• Informal discussions about the role are welcomed, please contact Danni Gregory, Trust Governance Professional on 07513 826002 or email dgregory@dcat.academy.

Closing Date: Friday 12th April at midday
Interview Date w/c Monday 15th April 2024

As an inclusive employer, it is important to us that our recruitment processes are inclusive and accessible.  Trust will consider reasonable adjustments and access needs throughout all stages of the recruitment process. If this is something that would be supportive to you, please contact our HR Team at hr@dcat.academy 

The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Successful candidates will be required to complete an enhanced DBS check upon appointment.

More information about the Trust can be found on our website.  Please see the attached application pack for further details about DCAT, the role including job description and person specification.