Clerk to the Governors
Sherwood Foundation School, Wallington, Surrey, SM6 7NP26 days remaining to apply
Start date details
As soon as possible
Closing date
4 December 2025 at 11:59pm
Date listed
7 November 2025
Job details
Job role
- Other support roles
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern
- Part time: 15 hours per week Term Time plus one week Flexibility to work when convenient for the governing body, including evening meetings
Contract type
- Permanent
Full-time equivalent salary
- £45,750 - £49,056
Actual salary
- £16,542-£17,738
Pay scale
- Grade P03, Point 32-35
What skills and experience we're looking for
Job Title: Clerk to the Governors
Grade: Grade P03, Points 32-35
Hours: 15 hours per week, Term Time plus one week (39 weeks)
Education/Qualifications: GCSE/Functional Skills
Responsible to: Chair of Governors
JOB DESCRIPTION
The purpose of the role is to provide advice and guidance to the governing board of governors, constitutional and procedural matters. The clerk will contribute towards the efficient functioning of the governing board and its committees by providing:
- Administrative and organisational support such as ensuring meetings are convened, minutes and records of attendance at the meeting are taken and kept;
- Guidance to ensure that the board works in compliance with the appropriate legal and regulatory framework, and
- Advice on procedural matters relating to the operation of the board.
Key Responsibilities:
Provide advice to the governing board:
- Advise the board on its core functions and Department for Education governance advice,
- Advise the governing board on governance legislation and procedural matters where necessary before, during and after meetings.
- Inform the governing board of any changes to its responsibilities as a result of a change in school status or changes in the relevant legislation.
- Offer advice on best practice in governance, including on committee structures both at board and academy level.
- Advise the governing board on best practice in relation to its scheme of delegation for governance.
- Ensure that statutory policies are in place, and the business team revise these when necessary.
- Advise on the annual calendar of governing board meetings and tasks.
- Contribute to the induction of governors taking on new roles, in particular chair of the board or chair of a committee.
- Identifies priorities, anticipates issues which may arise and draws these matters to the chair’s attention and proposes recommendations.
Effective Administration of Meetings:
- In consultation with the Chairman and Executive Head, and having regard to previous decisions of the governing body, prepare a focused agenda.
- Produce, collate and distribute the agenda and papers so that recipients receive them at least seven clear days and preferably ten days before the meeting
- Maintain a register of attendance and report this to the governing body
- Attend meetings of the full governing body and ensure minutes are taken, including indicating who is responsible for agreed actions. Record all decisions accurately and objectively with timescales for actions.
- Take follow up actions as instructed by the governing body, including the drawing up of draft minutes for approval by the Chair.
- Circulate draft minutes in the time scale agreed by the governing body.
- Ensure that the composition of the school governing body includes required parent representation.
- Participate in, and contribute to the training of governors in areas appropriate to the clerking role.
- Maintain archive materials.
- Prepare briefing papers for the Governing Body and committees, 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.
- Clerk all Governing Body committees as and when required
Manage Information:
- Advise governors and appointing bodies in advance of the expiry of a member’s term of office and impact of this on the board’s capacity and skills mix.
- Advise the governing board on the DfE’s recommendations and guidance in relation to members
- Establish, in discussion with the board, open and transparent vacancy filling processes and procedures for election and appointment so elections or appointments can be organised in a timely manner.
- Ensure Disclosure and Barring (DBS) has been carried out in liaison with the HR department on any member when it is appropriate to do so.
- Maintain a record of training undertaken by members of the governing board.
Additional Services:
- Clerk any statutory appeal committees/panels the governing board is required to convene: Maintain a file of relevant Department for Education (DfE), local authority and church authorities (if appropriate) guidance documents.
- Maintain archive materials.
- Conduct skills audits and advise on training requirements.
- Perform such other tasks as may be determined by the governing board from time to time.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential on appointment
Knowledge
- A good understanding of the regulations and legislation around schools
Experience
- Experience of working in an administrative role
- Experience of writing agendas and taking concise minutes of meetings.
Occupational Skills
- Good organisational skills and ability to work to deadlines
- Ability to maintain confidentiality
- Ability to remain impartial
- Ability to work on own initiative
Qualifications
- GCSE Maths and English or Functional Skills
- Ability to demonstrate a willingness to attend appropriate training and development
Other Requirements
- Flexibility to work at times convenient to the governing body, including evening meetings
- Enhanced DBS Clearance
Desirable on appointment
Knowledge
- Knowledge of Data Protection legislation
- Knowledge of governing body procedures and educational legislation and guidance
- Understanding of role of governing bodies.
- Knowledge of Legislation & good practice in respect of school governance.
Experience
- Report writing skills
Qualifications
- To have already attended or make a commitment to attend the National Training Programme for Clerks or its equivalent
What the school offers its staff
Local Government Pension Scheme
Employee Assistance Programme, Health Assured
Benenden Health
On site parking
Competitive Salary
Further information about the job
Commitment to safeguarding
Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.
Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.
Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children
You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.
Applying for the job
This job requires you to download an application form, you will be able to upload the application once complete.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
Upload additional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About Sherwood Foundation School
- School type
- Special school, ages 2 to 19
- School size
- 183 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 2 to 19
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Sherwood Foundation School website
- Email address
- recruitment@sherwoodpark.org.uk
- Phone number
- 02046280808
Sherwood Park is an extremely popular foundation special school for pupils with severe/ profound and complex learning difficulties and/or disabilities (SLD/PMLD) and those on the autism spectrum (ASD) who have complex needs.
Sherwood Park is a split-site school with campuses in Wallington (SLD/PMLD) and Carshalton (ASD/Complex Needs).
Arranging a visit to Sherwood Foundation School
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email recruitment@sherwoodpark.org.uk.
School location
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