Governor in Surrey

ABOUT THE ROLE

Job purpose: To be responsible for the administration and management of the charity, under the Charities Act 2011.

Reporting to: Chair of Governors

Commitment: Preparation, participation and attendance at all full governing body meetings and at least one committee. Full governing body meetings are held three times a year, and committees will be three or four per year. Training and strategy meetings are also expectations, as well as participation in panels from time to time. We welcome all governors to attend events at the school when they can, and to be known members of the school community. An overall time commitment is likely to be in the region of 10-15 days per academic year.

Salary: Unpaid, but reasonable expenses may be claimed.

Term: Fixed term for three years in the first instance; this term can be extended for a further three years.

Applications: Please send CV and covering letter to the Chair via recruit@daneshillschoolc.o.uk. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, with a final closing date of 29th June.

Role Summary: Governors are a vital element of the management of the Trust. As a group of individuals with a breadth of specialist skills and professional knowledge, the governing body take decisions about the Trust’s future direction and strategy, as well as ensuring that the School is compliant and well-managed, delivering an excellent education to the pupils in its care. Danes Hill School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We expect all staff to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to the receipt of an enhanced DBS check, Charity Commission criteria, as well as other statutory checks. Online checks of publicly available information will be carried out for shortlisted candidates, in line with KCSIE 2025.

Role Specification:

• Always act in the best interests of the Trust
• Uphold the Trust’s values
• Ensure that decisions are made in the Trust’s best interests
• Respect the distinction between governance and operational management
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive or commercially confidential information
• Act as an ambassador and advocate for the Trust and Danes Hill School
• Support the Trust in relation to professional knowledge and expertise as appropriate
• Contribute to and approve the Trust’s mission and strategic vision, through engagement with, and approval of, the strategic and development plans.
• Ensure that appropriate underpinning strategies are developed and in place to deliver the long term aims, across finance, estates and human resources.
• Monitor the School’s performance, using key performance indicators and benchmarked against similar schools where possible.
• Ensure that appropriate systems of accountability and control are in place to manage identified risks.
• Manage the appointment, performance and reward of the Head of Danes Hill School.
• Ensure that the Trust has in place systems to meet its legal obligations in relation to the Independent School Standards Regulations, charity law, equalities, health and safety and finance.