At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Board of Governors to shape the future of education for young people.
- Company: Scarborough Sixth Form College, a thriving post-16 education centre on the beautiful Yorkshire coast.
- Benefits: Opportunity to make a lasting impact and contribute to community development.
- Why this job: Be a pivotal leader in education, influencing student outcomes and community growth.
- Qualifications: Strategic thinking, strong judgement, and exceptional communication skills required.
- Other info: Applications welcomed from diverse backgrounds, especially finance, legal, and education sectors.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Lead with purpose as Chair of the Board of Governors at Scarborough Sixth Form College, helping to shape the future for young people and the wider community.
Time commitment: c. 1 – 2 days per month
Location: Scarborough, North Yorkshire
Applications close: 9 a.m. Monday 23rd February 2026
About Scarborough Sixth Form College:
Set on the beautiful Yorkshire coast, Scarborough Sixth Form College is a thriving centre of post‑16 education and ambition set in the heart of the North Yorkshire coast. With around 1,000 students and a modern, spacious campus, the College combines a supportive, inclusive environment with a strong focus on academic achievement, personal growth and future‑ready skills. Our mission is clear: to inspire and educate students so they fulfil their potential, enjoy successful careers and lead fulfilling lives grounded in ambition, integrity, respect and enjoyment; a mission which drives our staff to constantly strive for excellence.
At the heart of our strategy is a commitment to offering a broad, flexible curriculum that empowers students to design a programme tailored to their goals. Students can choose from a diverse range of A Levels, T Levels, Applied General qualifications and GCSEs, which they can mix and match to build a pathway bespoke to their aspirations. This curriculum breadth supports progression into top universities, apprenticeships or employment across a wide variety of sectors.
Scarborough Sixth Form College is a community with an outstanding culture of achievement and progression, continually evolving its offer to meet local and national needs while celebrating student success and aspiration at every turn. Our efforts across our wider delivery and support were recognised by Ofsted in our more recent inspection in 2023 where we were graded as ‘Good’ overall and ‘Outstanding’ for the support we provide to learners with high needs.
About the role:
With the current Chair, Rachel Dolby, stepping down after three successful years in the role, we are seeking to appoint a new Chair who can lead our board into the future and work with our leadership team, led by Phil Rumsey, to navigate the challenges and opportunities that will undoubtedly need to be faced in the years ahead. The Chair of our Governing Body plays a pivotal leadership role at Scarborough Sixth Form College. In this role, you will provide strategic direction, help ensure robust governance and offer principled oversight to ensure the College fulfils its mission and statutory responsibilities.
Working in close partnership with both our Principal and Clerk, the Chair enables the Governing Body to operate effectively, ethically and collaboratively in the best interests of students, staff and the wider community. Through strong leadership and constructive challenge, the Chair has a significant impact on the long‑term sustainability, effectiveness and culture of the College. This is an influential role offering the opportunity to make a lasting difference to educational outcomes and opportunities for young people across the region.
Who we are looking for:
- You will bring the ability to think strategically, maintaining a clear focus on the College’s medium and long‑term objectives and intervening constructively when focus or alignment is lost.
- As an effective Chair, you will demonstrate strong judgement and a clear understanding of governance boundaries, respecting the distinct yet complementary roles of governors, the Principal and the senior leadership team.
- Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills are essential, enabling you as Chair to lead meetings with confidence, guide discussion, encourage participation and ensure that debate remains focused on the issues that matter most.
- The ideal candidate will be committed to ethical leadership, able to identify and address ethical dilemmas, manage ambiguity and challenge inappropriate pressure or behaviour. They will demonstrate resilience, confidence and integrity, maintaining their commitment in the face of challenge or opposition.
- Experience of working in complex organisations and contributing to effective governance will be highly valued, alongside a commitment to continuous personal development and reflective practice.
- Above all, the Chair will show a genuine empathy with, and understanding of, the ambitions and needs of young people, ensuring that student outcomes remain central to all strategic decision‑making.
- Whilst the postholder does not need to have experience of, or be an expert in, sixth form education, it is vital that they have a genuine passion for education, training and its impacts on local communities. Additionally, a strong relationship with Scarborough or a demonstrable understanding of the challenges faced by the local communities would be useful.
- Applications are especially welcomed from individuals with backgrounds in finance, legal and audit. We will also welcome applications from those based across the breadth of the education sector, local charities and from within locally based businesses.
Peridot Partners and Scarborough Sixth Form College are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and our client expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references before any final offer can be made.
Please click 'Apply on website’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the candidate profile and register your interest to apply.
Chair of the Board of Governors employer: Business & Human Rights Resource Centre
Contact Detail:
Business & Human Rights Resource Centre Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Chair of the Board of Governors
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education sector or local community. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities you might not find on job boards.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Scarborough Sixth Form College thoroughly. Understand their mission and values, and think about how your experience aligns with their goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion for education! When you get the chance to speak, share your vision for the future of young people and how you can contribute to their success.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step.
We think you need these skills to ace Chair of the Board of Governors
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Education: When writing your application, let your passion for education shine through! Share your thoughts on how you can make a difference in the lives of young people and the community. We want to see your genuine interest in shaping futures.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills: As Chair, you'll need to lead with purpose. Make sure to showcase your leadership experience and how you've navigated challenges in the past. We’re looking for someone who can inspire and guide others, so don’t hold back!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications and fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and what we’re looking for in a candidate.
How to prepare for a job interview at Business & Human Rights Resource Centre
✨Understand the College's Mission
Before your interview, take some time to really grasp Scarborough Sixth Form College's mission and values. This will help you align your answers with their goals and demonstrate your genuine passion for education and community impact.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
As a potential Chair, you'll need to think strategically. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully navigated challenges or led initiatives that align with the College's long-term objectives. This will show your capability to lead effectively.
✨Demonstrate Ethical Leadership
Be ready to discuss how you've handled ethical dilemmas in your previous roles. The interviewers will be looking for your ability to manage ambiguity and challenge inappropriate behaviour, so share specific instances where you've upheld integrity.
✨Engage with Interpersonal Skills
Your communication skills are key in this role. Practice leading discussions and guiding debates on relevant topics. Show that you can encourage participation and keep conversations focused on what truly matters for the students and the community.