Independent Governor

The Richmond and Hillcroft Adult and Community College Board determines the educational character and vision for the College. The Board approves the annual budget, capital and investment strategy as well as the College’s curriculum and quality strategy. The Board is the employer of the staff and management of the College.

The Board consists of a maximum of 17 members, who act as company directors as well as charity trustees. The Board normally meets five times a year. It may also meet on other occasions (e.g. during Governors’ Development Events, which are used to develop the leadership and other skills of the Board and to concentrate on strategic issues facing the College). There are also four committees: Audit, Finance and Resources, Quality and Standards and Search and Governance and governors will be asked to serve on at least one committee.

Governors are volunteers, who receive no pay in respect of their service. However Governors are allowed to receive expenses for costs incurred when fulfilling their role, such as travel and childcare costs. It is estimated that the time commitment for a governor serving on the Board and one Committee is approximately five hours a month.

In joining the Board you will gain the chance to contribute widely to the life of the College, get involved in thinking about its future direction, reflecting on educational issues and how they affect the local community. The Governor’s role can be summarised as:

- setting the College’s values, standards and aims, ensuring that its obligations to its stakeholders are met and that the necessary financial and human resources are in place to meet its objectives;
- providing the College with corporate leadership within a framework of effective controls that enable risks to be assessed and managed;
- providing sound and independent judgement in the stewardship of public funds so that a quality service may be provided and legal statutory duties can be discharged;
- ensuring that arrangements are in place for the appointment of the Principal and Clerk; and
- providing a framework for pay and conditions of all College staff.
- As a Board member, can I put aside personal interest and make decisions for the good of the College as a whole, respecting confidentiality and sharing collective responsibility?
- Do I understand and accept the “Standards of behaviour for those in public life”? (Selflessness, Integrity, Objectivity, Accountability, Openness, Honesty and Leadership)
- Am I able to put in time to attend meetings, to read the papers beforehand and to contribute to discussions?

There are certain rules within the College Articles of Association (the governing document) which stop people who are:

- bankrupt,
- have been convicted of certain crimes, or
- have been disqualified from being a company director or charity trustee

The College wishes the membership of the Board to encompass a wide variety of experience and cultural backgrounds. Applications will be particularly welcomed from those from a BME background as they are currently under-represented.