Join the Board
91ÌÒÉ« is overseen by a Board of Governors (formally known as ‘the Corporation of Ealing, Hammersmith and 91ÌÒɫ’), which provides strategic direction and oversight of the College. The Board includes appointed independent (‘external’) governors, elected staff and student governors, and the CEO/Principal in an ex officio role. It is an exciting time to join us as a governor as we improve and innovate our curriculum to give students the skills they need to succeed.
In addition to meeting as the Board several times a year, governors specialise in certain areas to provide challenge and support to senior leaders. The Board has committees on Curriculum & Quality, Audit, Finance & General Purposes and Search, Governance & Remuneration. All governors are members of at least one committee, and some serve as ‘link’ governors to important cross-cutting areas.
Co-opted Committee members are appointed to a committee but not the Board and as such are not members of the governing body. The role suits somebody with the expertise and commitment to the purpose and vision, but not the ability to commit to the full governor role.
Expectations and Commitment
Governors bring their professional experience and personal attributes to bear in support of the college’s educational mission. The Board includes a wide range of experiences and professional backgrounds. It is not necessary to have worked in an educational setting in order to serve as a college governor – indeed, the college benefits from outside perspectives just as much as experience from other schools, universities and colleges.
What we expect is a commitment to the mission, vision and values of 91ÌÒÉ«, a willingness to make a full contribution and the ability to devote the time required to make that a reality. Taking into account preparing for and attending formal meetings, visiting the colleges, and attending training and networking events, this is likely to be around 6-10 hours per month. Formal meetings are a combination of in-person and online events.
Chair (and Vice Chairs)
The Chair and Vice Chairs play a critical role in the life of a college and are responsible for providing the Board with leadership and direction, setting high expectations and ensuring that governors work well together. They take a leading hand in the recruitment of senior college staff, work closely with the CEO/Principal and lead the process of performance management of governors and senior staff. The Chair also has a vital role in representing the Board internally to staff and students and the college externally to funding bodies, membership groups and at events. Vice Chairs support the Chair with these roles.
Taking into account preparing for and attending formal meetings, visiting the colleges and attending training and networking events, the normal commitment is expressed as being around 6-10 hours per month. The nature of the Chair’s role in working closely with the CEO/Principal and Director of Governance means that the likely commitment will be towards the upper end of that range and above it at certain points in the year.
Committee Chairs (and Vice Chairs of Committees)
Committee Chairs play a key leadership role in the college’s governance arrangements by leading the Board’s oversight in specified areas. The Board currently has four Committees, on Audit, Curriculum & Quality, Finance & General Purposes and Search, Governance & Remuneration. It is expected that Chairs will have specialist knowledge and experience to equip them to lead governor oversight in these areas. The role of Chair involves working closely with members of the college’s Executive and Senior Leadership Teams to understand and shape the flow of information from the ‘operational’ to the ‘strategic’ areas for which the Board is responsible. The role of Committee Chair therefore requires a modest (1-2 hours per month) additional time commitment above that of an external governor. Committee Chairs may also be more engaged externally on the college’s behalf by attending relevant meetings and events. Vice Chairs of Committees shadow and support Chairs in a developmental capacity with a view to taking up a Chair role as part of the Board’s succession planning arrangements.
Link governors
Link governors add value to the Board’s governance arrangements by providing cross-cutting oversight of defined areas for which the Board maintains ultimate responsibility such as safeguarding, and equality, diversity and inclusion. Link governors have regular contact with the senior member(s) of staff leading on their area and provide a sounding board and challenge outside of the formal structures within the college and Board. Link governors also play a role in enhancing the Board’s consideration of the subject in question by taking the lead and promoting understanding of the way in which the college seeks to meet its duties and responsibilities. The role of a link governor should involve a modest (1-2 hours per month) additional time commitment above that of an external governor, although the flow of work will increase and decrease in line with the college’s requirements.
Leadership
- The ability to think strategically about the future for further education
- A commitment to role model high standards of ethical leadership and act in accordance with the Seven Principles of Public Life
- Understanding the needs of and engaging with the college’s key stakeholders including learners, staff, employers and our communities
- The ability to provide constructive challenge and build consensus and understanding
- The ability and willingness to communicate effectively with a wide range of people and organisations
- Understands and engages with further education as part of a wider educational landscape*
- Inspires and motivates governors to work together to accomplish strategic Board and college goals*
Values/Behaviours
- Connects ideas from different sources and asks insightful questions
- Actively promotes the inclusion of a full range of perspectives to inform decision-making processes
- Communicates with openness and honesty
- Brings people together around a common vision in pursuit of the college’s strategic priorities
- Focused on the bigger picture and delivering results for learners
- Guides senior leaders to take evidence-based approaches to major issues*
- Encourages governors to contribute ideas and innovations from their perspectives*
Technical
- Understanding of the means by which the quality and performance of colleges is measured and assessed
- Appreciation of the facilities and systems involved in operating a large FE college with varied provision
- Understanding a college workforce and the complementary roles played by teaching and business support staff
- Understanding of the principles, methods and tools used for risk identification, assessment and mitigation
- An ability to interpret financial information and use it effectively to inform decision-making
- Understands and implements governance best practice in and beyond FE and ensures that external responsibilities are fulfilled*
- Uses appropriate techniques to develop and empower governors and senior postholders*
*Additional for Chairs and Vice Chairs
Register Your Interest
To register your interest in joining the board, please complete the form below:
Barons Court
London W14 9BL
what3words: ///duke.choice.level
Ealing
London W5 5EW
what3words: ///views.brick.kind
Southall
London UB1 1DP
what3words: ///bonus.begin.beats
