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- Tasks: Lead governance structures for a new Pathway Trust and support the Board and Executive team.
- Company: Join Castle School Education Trust, a vibrant family of schools dedicated to educational excellence.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous pension scheme, and discounts on tech and gym memberships.
- Why this job: Shape the future of education during an exciting transformation period with real impact.
- Qualifications: Proven senior management experience in governance, compliance, and leadership skills.
- Other info: Flexible working hours and commitment to staff development in an inclusive culture.
The predicted salary is between 44000 - 62000 £ per year.
Location: Alveston, South Gloucestershire
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours: Full Time
Salary: CSET 3 (£52,414 FTE)
Posted: 4th February 2026
Start Date: As Soon As Possible
Expires: 22nd February 2026 11:59 PM
Job ID: 1533003
Closing date: Sunday 22 February 2026
Interviews: 5 March 2026
Location: You will work across 2 sites as required; Marlwood and Worle, with some hybrid working supported.
Working hours: up to 37 per week. Flexible working hours are welcomed.
Shape the future during a defining era of transformation. This is a unique opportunity to lead during an exciting period of change. Working initially across two multi-academy trusts, you will play a central role in designing and establishing the governance structures for the intended new Pathway Trust. As the lead governance professional, you will provide crucial support to the Board and Executive team, ensuring our governance is robust from inception.
About the role
Acting as Company Secretary and a trusted strategic adviser, you will ensure our decision-making is rigorous and our compliance absolute. Your core responsibilities will include:
- Strategic Design: Lead the design and implementation of frameworks, accountability structures, and practices for the new Pathway Trust.
- Crucial Support & Advisory: Act as the primary advisor to Trustees, the CEO, and executive leaders on risk, compliance, and governance effectiveness.
- Team Leadership: Line manage the governance function and the Trust’s Project Manager to deliver on cross-functional projects, including school conversions and legal changes.
- Assurance & Compliance: Provide strategic oversight of high-risk areas including complaints, whistleblowing, and information governance, ensuring statutory compliance and organizational learning.
About you
To navigate this complex and changing landscape, we are looking for a senior professional with expert knowledge of academy trust governance. You will bring:
- Experience: A proven track record at senior management level, with specific experience acting as a Company Secretary and managing complex complaints and compliance frameworks.
- Leadership: Strong people management skills with the ability to develop teams and oversee the work of clerks and support roles.
- Influence: Excellent communication skills, capable of providing professional challenge and influencing stakeholders at the highest level.
- Knowledge: Comprehensive understanding of the regulatory framework affecting education (including Safeguarding and the Equality Act) and charity law.
Castle School Education Trust (CSET) is a vibrant family of schools united by one powerful ambition: to deliver a great education for every child. Spanning four secondary and five primary schools across South Gloucestershire, we’re proud of our strong track record in school improvement, rising pupil numbers, and consistently improving outcomes. Each of our schools has a distinct identity shaped by the community it serves—and we celebrate that uniqueness while sharing expertise, resources, and support across the Trust.
You will be joining us at an exciting time, as we work collaboratively with eleven schools from TPLT in North Somerset, with an aim to join to form Pathway Trust in the future.
We can offer you:
- Commitment to CPD and development of all staff including collaborative support and instructional coaching to allow employees to thrive
- Commitment to inclusivity and fostering of diversity
- Values and vision that are lived not laminated
- Open and honest culture
- Generous Local Government pension scheme
- Up to 30% discount with Microsoft & Dell
- Discounted gym membership
- Life Assurance - 3 x Death in Service
- Cycle to work scheme
- Dedicated counselling service
In order to apply for this role please complete an application form by 23.59, 22nd February. Interviews are due to take place on 3rd March. Please let us know if you require any adjustments as part of the process.
Please know that depending on the number of applications received we may decide to close the advert early. If you do not hear from us by a week after the closing date then please assume that you have not been shortlisted for an interview.
Join us in Providing a Great Education for Every Child
CSET is committed to equal opportunities and encourages applicants from all backgrounds and communities, as we recognise the importance and benefit this has for our pupils.
Safeguarding Statement: CSET is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All roles across the trust have a varying level of responsibility for ensuring safeguarding practice, with some roles holding significant responsibility and involving working with children on a daily basis in regulated activity. Regardless of the level of responsibility and involvement in each role, we expect all staff, visiting professionals and volunteers to share this commitment.
Head of Governance NEW employer: CSET Sports Partnership
Contact Detail:
CSET Sports Partnership Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Governance NEW
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education sector, especially those involved in governance. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about opportunities that might not even be advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the organisation's current governance structure and any recent changes. This shows you're genuinely interested and ready to hit the ground running!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions, especially around compliance and risk management. We want you to feel confident and articulate when discussing your expertise!
✨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 are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Governance NEW
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the Head of Governance role. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this role involves team leadership, don’t forget to include examples of how you've successfully managed teams or projects in the past. We want to see your ability to influence and guide others!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate a well-structured application that’s easy to read!
Apply Through Our Website: Remember to submit your application through our website by the deadline. It’s the best way to ensure it gets to us directly, and we can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at CSET Sports Partnership
✨Know Your Governance Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of academy trust governance, compliance frameworks, and the regulatory landscape affecting education. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're not just familiar with the role but also passionate about it.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific situations, like managing complex complaints or ensuring compliance in high-risk areas. Think of examples from your past experience where you've successfully navigated similar challenges and be ready to share those stories.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Head of Governance, you'll need to demonstrate strong people management skills. Prepare to discuss how you've developed teams in the past and how you plan to lead the governance function effectively. Highlight any successful projects you've overseen that required collaboration across different teams.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Your ability to influence stakeholders is crucial. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely, especially when discussing complex topics. Remember, it's not just what you say, but how you say it that can make a lasting impression.
