Clerk to Governors

**St David’s High School, Saltney**

**Clerk to the Governing Body**

Introduction

The clerk to the governing body will be accountable to the governing body, working effectively with the chair of governors, the Headteacher and the governing body in accordance with the statutory duties of a clerk.

The clerk may take on additional accountability for advising the governing body on constitutional matters, duties and powers within the current legislative framework for school governance.

He/she will secure the continuity of governing body business and observe confidentiality requirements.

Meetings

The clerk to the governing body will:
Work effectively with the chair and Headteacher before the governing body meeting to prepare a purposeful agenda which takes account of Wales Government and local authority issues and is focused on school improvement;
Produce, collate and distribute the agenda and papers so that recipients receive them at least seven clear days before the meeting

Record the attendance of governors at the meeting and take appropriate action regarding absences and those were apologies not accepted by the governing body

Advise the governing body on governance legislation and procedural matters where necessary before, during and after the meeting

Take notes of the governing body meetings to prepare minutes, including indicating who is responsible for any agreed action

Record all decisions accurately and objectively with timescales for actions

Send drafts to the chair and Headteacher for amendment /approval by the chair

Copy and circulate the approved draft to all governors within the timescale agreed with the governing body

Keep a minute book, or file of signed minutes, as an archive record;
Liaise with the chair, prior to the next meeting to receive an update on progress of actions agreed previously by the governing body

Following the approval of the minutes at the next meeting, make available at the school a copy of the signed minutes for public inspection

Chair that part of the meeting at which the chair is elected annually.

Membership

The clerk will:
Maintain a database of names, addresses and category of governing body members, their term of office and statutory training records

Initiate a welcome pack/letter being sent to newly appointed governors including details of terms of office

Maintain copies of current terms of reference and membership of committee and working parties and nominated link governors eg Literacy; Numeracy

Advise governors and appointing bodies of expiry of the term of office before term expires so elections or appointments can be organised in a timely manner

Inform the governing body and local authority of any changes to its membership

Maintain governor meeting attendance records and advise the governing body of non-attendance of governors

Advise that a register of governing body pecuniary interests is maintained, reviewed annually and lodged within the school

Check with the local authority, that DBS has been successfully carried out on any governor in accordance with governing body policy.

Professional Development

The clerk should:
Complete the statutory training program for Clerks to Governing Bodies

Attend any briefings and participate in professional development opportunities

Keep up-to-date with current educational developments and legislation affecting school governance

Discretionary functions

The clerk may be asked to perform as part of their duties any of the following:
Clerk some or all statutory and non-statutory governing body committees

Assistt with the elections of parent, teacher and staff governors

Maintain a file of relevant Wales Government and local authority documents;
Maintain archive materials

Assist with the preparation of the Annual Report to Parents, assembling the statutory information and copying and distributing the report

Prepare briefing papers for the governing body, as necessary

Help to produce a Governing Body Year Planner, which includes an annual calendar of meetings and the cycle of agenda items for meetings of the governing body and its committees.

Advice and information

Advise the governing body on procedural issues

Have access to appropriate legal advice, support and guidance

Advise on the regulatory content of the school prospectus and Annual Report to Parents

Ensure that statutory policies are in place, and that a file is kept in the school of policies and other school documents approved by the governing body

Maintain records of governing body correspondence.

**Job Type**: Part-time

**Salary**: £10.21 per hour

**Benefits**:

- On-site parking

Ability to commute/relocate:

- Chester: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred)

Application question(s):

- Do you have experience in School Governance or Local Authority Administration?
- Do you have strong organisational skills?

**Education**:

- GCSE or equivalent (required)

**Experience**:

- Administration: 1 year