WeST Governance Officer

Westcountry Schools Trust, Ivybridge, PL21 0JA

11 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  September 2025

• Closing date

  28 July 2025 at 9am

• Date listed

  17 July 2025

Job details

• Job role:
  • Administration, HR, data and finance
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: £32,654.00 - £35,235.00 Annually (Actual)

WeST Governance Officer job summary

Governance Officer – Join the WeST Family

Westcountry Schools Trust (WeST) is a tight-knit family of 31 schools—8 secondary and 23 primary—working together across the South West. We are ambitious for every child and committed to delivering excellence through collaboration, innovation, and shared values. As we continue to grow and strengthen our governance structures, we are seeking a dedicated and skilled Governance Officer to join our central team.

About the Role

This is a pivotal role supporting the effective operation of local governance across our Trust. As Governance Officer, you will:

• Coordinate and clerk meetings for our WeST Community Councils (WeST CCs), ensuring smooth agenda-setting, accurate minutes, and compliance with statutory requirements.
• Provide expert advice and guidance to governors and school leaders, supporting recruitment, induction, and ongoing development of WeST CC members.
• Organise and clerk governor panels for exclusions, suspensions, and complaints, ensuring fairness and adherence to legal frameworks.
• Strengthen local accountability and community engagement by facilitating two-way communication between schools and the Trust Board.
• Champion best practice in governance and contribute to the continuous improvement of our governance service.

What We’re Looking For

We’re seeking someone who is:

• Highly organised, with excellent attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• A confident communicator, able to build strong relationships with stakeholders at all levels.
• Experienced in governance or clerking within the education sector (or similar), with a sound understanding of statutory requirements.
• Skilled in using digital tools (e.g. Microsoft 365, GovernorHub) to support efficient administration.
• Committed to our values of compassion, aspiration, integrity, and collaboration.

This role is available on a hybrid basis and, whilst there is an indicative full time working pattern across the year (of 37hpw) we are happy to discuss a variety of flexible working options that might suit the right candidate.

Please note that this vacancy may close early if we identify and appoint a suitable candidate before the advertised closing date, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

Procedures

All appointments are subject to pre-employment checks. That means:

• We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. A copy of our Child Protection Policy & Safeguarding Policy is attached.
• Your identity will be confirmed by sight of original, official documents such as a Birth Certificate, Passport etc. in line with the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996.
• Original documents relating to all the qualifications you have listed on your application form must be supplied.
• Your employment history will be thoroughly examined and clarification will be sought where there are gaps or other discrepancies arising from information provided either by you as the candidate or your referee.
• References will be used to check dates of employment and your relevant experience. A minimum of two written references will be taken up and these references will be requested before the interview.
• References should cover the last 3-5 years’ work history, as a minimum.
• An online search of shortlisted candidates will be conducted in accordance with Part Three ‘Safer Recruitment’ of Keeping Children Safe in Education statutory guidance.
• The identity of referees and information relating to disclosures will be verified.
• You will be required to provide details of any relevant unspent or spent convictions in accordance with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) (Amendment) Order 1986.
• An enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be requested. Please note that it is an offence to apply, offer or accept to do any work with children (paid or unpaid) if disqualified from working with children. Applicants will be challenged where inconsistencies exist. Please be aware that a firm offer of appointment will only be made after receipt and verification of all satisfactory checks. Westcountry Schools Trust will carry out these checks and should you fail these checks, our offer of employment will be withdrawn.

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

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 school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

About Westcountry Schools Trust

• Type: Multi-academy trust
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/westcountry-schools-trust

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