Strategic School Governor — Part-Time Volunteer in Maldon

We are looking for a dedicated Appointed School Governor to join our supportive and collaborative team. We are seeking someone with professional experience, gained in any sector, who is passionate about the role that education can play in changing the lives of young people. Our governors are from a range of backgrounds and work closely with the school leadership team, they are responsible for overseeing the strategic direction, policies, and overall performance of our school.

The most important qualities for any governor are a commitment to the welfare and achievement of the children, a desire to make a positive contribution to the school, common sense, and a willingness to commit time to the role. Many of the functions of the governing body are statutory or have a legal framework. To carry out our core strategic roles, governors need to be able to think strategically, challenge, monitor, but also support.

Heybridge Primary School is part of TKAT, a Multi-Academy Trust. The Trust is a charity, and its Board of Trustees must ensure that it complies with its charitable objectives, which relate to the provision of education in its schools. As such, it is the Trust Board that is accountable for the performance of the Academies in the Trust, and in turn, it is held to account by the Department for Education.

The Trust has chosen to appoint committees for each of its Academies, and these are known as Local Governing Bodies (LGBs). The LGB's responsibilities are set out here in the TKAT scheme of delegation.

• Represent the Academy's local community and stakeholders by ensuring that the Academy's policies and practice meet the community's needs
• Ensure that the Academy's long-term vision reflects the needs of its community beyond current post-holders, and is in line with TKAT's vision and values
• Support Directors of Education to improve Academy outcomes
• Support the Headteacher to ensure staffing is efficient and effective

There are normally 6 governing body meetings per year, plus very occasional short meetings for the pay committee. It is expected that Governors attend as many in-person meetings as possible, although some meetings may be virtual.

Investing in our governors is a priority for us, and we can offer you:

• Excellent ongoing governor and education CPD, and opportunities to network with other schools and governors across the Trust
• Friendly and supportive environment, where everyone is committed to a Work/Volunteer/Life Balance
• Access to Trust resources and materials to support governance

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early should we receive a significant number of applications.

About Heybridge Primary School: Heybridge Primary School currently has 405 pupils ranging from 4 - 11 years. We have a bright modern building, which is well equipped and is set within unusually generous grounds with playing fields and gardens. We are a friendly and engaging school with strong connections amongst our local community.

If you are ready to make a significant, positive impact on the lives of young people, we want to hear from you. As this is a voluntary position, you do not have to complete our full application form.

To find out more and apply please arrange a visit by contacting the school office on 01621 854082 or email governance@tkat.org.

Safeguarding: TKAT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Offers of employment will be subject to the full safer recruitment process, including an enhanced disclosure and barring service check.

TKAT recognises the value of enabling our employees to develop their career and balance this with their commitments and interests outside of work. In TKAT we promote flexible working practices and opportunities to promote a positive work life balance.

Our Commitment - Equal, Inclusive, Diverse: TKAT is committed to inclusion, diversity and equality of opportunity by encouraging and welcoming differences, listening to individual experiences, aspirations and accomplishments and learning how to grow better together. We welcome applications from all suitable candidates, regardless of any protected characteristic.

Access to interview: Be Who You Are at TKAT - should you be selected and invited to interview please let us know if you require us to adapt the recruitment process to enable you to participate as your authentic self. We want applicants to be able to engage with us in ways that support who they are and we are committed to making adjustments within the recruitment process and within the workplace.

Information about the School: Heybridge Primary School currently has 396 pupils ranging from 4 – 11 years. We have a bright modern building, which is well equipped and is set within unusually generous grounds with playing fields and gardens. We are acknowledged as a friendly school within our local community and benefit from easy access to local amenities.

In December 2012 we converted to Academy status and became part of the highly prestigious Kemnal Academies Trust (TKAT). The School shares good links with other primary and secondary schools in the Maldon area, so can provide wider learning experiences and networking opportunities with our neighbours and also schools within the TKAT family.

All appointments are subject to safer recruitment requirements to ensure the safeguarding of children and young people. All positions will involve appropriate checks and clearances.