Group Secretary and Governance Lead

Location: Repton and Repton Prep, with occasional travel across RFS UK schools.

Contract: Permanent, year-round role

Hours: Full-time - 40 hours per week

Defined Contribution Pension Cycle to Work and Electric Vehicle Salary Sacrifice Schemes

Job Introduction

Repton School is looking to appoint a Group Secretary and Governance Lead. The Group Secretary and Governance Lead is accountable for provision of the Group Secretariat function, driving best-in-class governance, including corporate, charity and regulatory compliance and support to the Repton Group. They will have experience and good working knowledge of all applicable legislation, regulations and guidance and will ensure systems are in place to communicate key updates and associated training. The Group Secretary and Governance Lead is also accountable for the successful provision of all services of Clerk to the Governing Body to schools within the group, and for the provision of support and advice to any other Clerks within the group, as required.

The closing date for applications for this role is 28th July 2026. Should you wish to complete an offline application form, or should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact a member of the HR team.

Main Responsibilities

• Company Secretary & Governance: Act as Company Secretary for the Repton Group, incorporating all entities including RFS Schools within the UK. Provide timely and effective governance and high standards of reporting. Act as a trusted adviser to the Board and senior executives on governance, charity and company obligations.
• External Legal Support: Recognise when specialist external advice is required and advise senior management accordingly. Ensure there is a suitable portfolio of external advisors in place for advice on specialist matters, with relationships well maintained and support cost effective. Regularly review the provision and quality of external legal advice and recommend changes as necessary. Own and manage the annual legal budget for the group.
• HR Support: Provide hands on support as required for complex employment issues e.g. grievance, disciplinary, redundancy. Ensure for all new Governors, formal identity checks, right to work in UK checks, DBS disclosure check or equivalent and completion of all declarations of responsibilities, or similar, as required.
• Other: Continuously review and improve all processes and working practices to ensure efficiency and effectiveness. Amend any relevant legal or governance processes in line with any changes to legislation, reporting requirements etc. Effective contribution made to organisational decision making (operational and commercial). Demonstrable cross-team working, willing and able to support peers and colleagues across the Executive, Operational and Academic communities, as required.

About Repton School

Repton is the ancient capital of Mercia, and the School, founded in 1557 from a bequest from Sir John Port of Etwall, was established on the site of a 7th century Anglo Saxon Benedictine abbey and latterly a 12th century Augustinian priory and the School today incorporates many of the original buildings from the estate. The School has over one thousand pupils across the Prep and Senior School, making it large enough to achieve excellence in and out of the classroom, yet small enough for individuals to grow and succeed. Repton and Repton Prep have always enjoyed a very close relationship and in 2020, the schools became a through-school. At Repton Senior, each pupil, whether day or boarding, is a member of a House. Academic standards are high and creative activities, including music, art, drama and design, flourish. The School has a national profile in sport, in particular in football, hockey, cricket and swimming. Our pupils thrive both in and out of the classroom and they develop the skills, qualities and values that will lead to a successful life. Repton was one of the first British schools to set up overseas schools with the establishment of Repton School Dubai in 2007, and the development of a community of international schools is key to Repton's future vision. Currently, Repton has schools in Dubai (2), Abu Dhabi (2), China, and Egypt, with plans to open a further four more over the next few years. Repton also includes five schools in the UK (Repton, Repton Prep, St Wystan's, Vinehall and Marlborough House) with the ambition to grow its UK family of schools.