Independent Governor

About CATS Global Schools

CATS Global Schools is a leading education group committed to inspiring the next generation of world shapers. With a history dating back to 1899, our group brings together 16 institutions comprising independent boarding schools, an Arts school, English language schools and a variety of summer programmes in the UK, US, Canada and China. Each year, we provide 18,000 students around the globe with the education they need to develop real-life skills for the future. We are dedicated to academic excellence and our students benefit from our well-developed links to over 40 top global universities.

We create a positive learning environment where every student is empowered to make a contribution to shape their world. This is made possible because of the commitment of our pioneering, persevering people who do the very best for our students.

Role overview

The overall responsibility for ensuring that procedures, policies and training are in place in CGS’s UK schools lies with the proprietorial body. The responsibilities are set out in the statutory guidance Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSiE) 2024. The Independent Governor will work alongside the Head Teachers and will support the schools, ensuring all Schools and Colleges meet all legal and regulatory requirements.

Independent Governors are responsible for overseeing the management side of a school: strategy, policy, budgeting and staffing. They will support the schools within CGS to run as effectively as possible, working alongside senior leaders and supporting teachers to provide excellent education to children. Independent Governors will be expected to attend governing body meetings.

We are currently looking to appoint two Independent Governors; one will have commercial insight and knowledge of delivering sales, school growth and increasing EBITDA and one will have experience of Ofsted/ISI as an inspector and will have experience in senior/exec school leadership and ideally have held an executive role in a group of schools. Experience of EYFS would be advantageous but not essential.

These roles will report directly to the Chair of Governors and the CEO.

Responsibilities

• To contribute to the strategic oversight of the schools
• To provide appropriate challenge, insight and expertise to ensure that the schools meet compliance and keep children and staff safe and continue to deliver and improve.
• To support the governing body’s statutory responsibilities and decision making processes ensuring that the schools operate in accordance with their mission, values and legal obligations.
• To support the monitoring and audit of practice and policies.
• To support and advise on the school’s financial targets.
• To be a team player in the governing body and to understand the difference between the roles of the executive and governors.
• To make ethical and informed decisions promoting a culture of transparency and high standards.

With respect to wider statutory compliance:

• Lead internal audits to assess compliance with laws, regulations, and internal policies, identifying areas of risk and non-compliance.
• Support the Chair of Governors to monitor and advise on ISI compliance and support inspections where necessary.
• Arrange Governors audits of Schools/Colleges.
• Collate KPI data for Governors meetings.
• Be alert to regulatory and inspection methodology changes.
• Review and respond to appeals against exclusion.
• Conduct complaints investigations as directed by the Chair of Governors.

Person Specification

• At least five years of Senior/Executive School Leadership Experience.
• In depth knowledge of KCSIE.
• In depth knowledge of ISI and other statutory compliance requirements.
• In depth Knowledge of the ISI Framework.
• Experience of carrying out school audits/monitoring visits for safeguarding and compliance and experience of ISI inspections.

Our commitment to inclusion and diversity

We are committed to diversity, inclusion and belonging. Building on our core values - Pioneering, Persevering, People - we pledge to deliver a series of events, guest speakers, and focus groups to make CATS Global Schools an employer of choice.

All shortlisted candidates will be required to complete a criminal declaration form and will be subject to online checks which may include social media.