Authors: The Governance Sub-Committee Date: November 2017 To be reviewed: Spring 2019 

Introduction  The Education (Jersey) Law 1999 (the “Law”) provides that Invited Governors are co-opted by the Parent Governors and the Staff Governors (each as defined in the Law). For the purposes of this policy, any reference to the Governing Body shall mean the Governing Body as a whole (comprising the Parent Governors, the Staff Governors and the Invited Governors of JCG and JCP). This policy is intended to support the Parent Governors and the Staff Governors (together the “Elected Governors”) and the other members of the Governing Body by providing guidelines for the process of appointing Invited Governors. 

Principles

1. The Board of Governors has delegated responsibility for the recruitment of Governors to the Board to the Governance Sub-Committee.
2. The Term of Office for a Governor is three years to be renewed once with the term of the Chairman being repeated on election (to a maximum of twelve years).
3. When deciding on the selection of the Chairman, it is to be borne in mind that the neutral role of the Chairman is an essential and necessary attribute for a strong and effective Governing Body.
4. It is accepted that to be effective the Chairman needs to ideally have had a period as the Vice Chairman.
5. It is the responsibility of the Governance Sub-Committee to ensure that effective succession planning is in place to achieve a smooth and supportive transition for the Governing Body and the College.
6. The Law does not specify a maximum limitation on the number of Invited Governors as this number will be determined by the needs of the College from time to time.
7. In considering the appointment of Invited Governors, the Governance Sub-Committee will:

• consider the skills set of the Governing Body in supporting the current and future needs of the College;
• consider the terms of office for Governors and succession planning strategies;
• consider the views of the Governing Body on the basis that a united board will ensure effectiveness; and
• acknowledge that all appointments are subject to the appointment by the Elected Governors as required by Law.

8. It is accepted that there could be special circumstances where a Governor may be asked to stay on longer; an example could be a major project that is under way which requires the particular skills of a Governor.
9. In considering the re-appointment of serving Invited Governors, regard should be given to the overall level of experience and expertise on the Board to avoid too many changes.
10. It is accepted that many changes of Governors over a relatively short period may not ensure full support or governance of the College.
11. Personal attributes which may be taken into account by the Governing Body in considering the appointment or re-appointment of Invited Governors might include the following:

·     Approachability ·     Empathy ·     Gravitas ·     Intelligence ·     Willingness to work as part of a team and build relationships of trust, respect and candour with fellow board members ·     Creativity ·     Enthusiasm for education and the College

·      Independence of thought and judgment ·      Openness and transparency ·      Willingness to play a full role in the life of the College ·      An understanding of  the difference between strategic direction and operational implementation ·      An understanding of the legal duties and responsibilities of governorship ·      Political insight without being political

  

Process for appointing Invited Governors

1. At its meeting during the Summer Term, the Governance Sub-Committee will review the terms of office for Invited Governors; succession plans for Governors and the skill set of the Governing Body.
2. Following such review, the Governance Sub-Committee will inform the Governing Body at its next meeting of the recruitment strategy to be implemented over the next year.
3. The Governance Sub-Committee will agree an appropriate job description for the Invited Governor that clearly sets out the specific experience and skills that the Governing Body requires. (An exemplar attached at Appendix A).
4. The Governance Sub-Committee will advertise the vacancy on the College website (see an example at Appendix B). The Sub-Committee will arrange for the link to the Governor vacancy to be circulated and advertised widely (see an example at Appendix C), via methods such as, but not limited to:-

• Governors’ personal contacts;
• the College Twitter and Facebook;
• targeted organisations e.g. IOD; and
• if deemed appropriate, advertised in the local media.

5. The Governance Sub-Committee will agree which Governors will short-list and sit on the interview panel for each Governor vacancy (the “Panel”), ensuring that the Elected Governors and the Governance Sub-Committee are represented.
6. Following the closing date, the Clerk to the Governing Body will circulate candidates’ CV and supporting statements to the Panel to enable them to short-list the candidates, copying the Chair of Governors, the Chair of the Governance Sub-Committee and Principal for their information.
7. Once the short-list for the vacancy has been agreed, the Governance Sub-Committee will inform the full Board of the short-listed candidates for information.
8. The Clerk to the Governing Body will invite the short-listed applicants for interview and will email the unsuccessful candidates thanking them for their interest.
9. The Panel will interview the short-listed candidates following which the Panel will:-

• inform the Governing Body of the intended Invited Governor, seeking prior ratification of the appointment from the Elected Governor;
• invite the successful applicant to join the Governing Body; and
• thank the unsuccessful applicants for their interest.

New Governor Induction The Clerk to the Governing Body will arrange for the newly appointed Governor to be DBS checked and to complete any relevant training (such as on-line safeguarding). All newly appointed Governors shall receive a full induction that will include:

• a meeting with the Principal and Head Teacher;
• a tour of the College;
• accompanying a member of the College Senior Leadership Team on a learning walk at JCG and JCP;
• attending one of each of the Governor sub-committee meetings; and
• receiving an information pack containing:
  • the Governing Body’s Expectations for a Governor
  • the Law
  • the Education Department’s Governors’ Handbook
  • the Governing Body’s meeting reports and minutes for the last year
  • Information on the College (Prospectus, etc.)
  • Synopsis of all current Governors
  • Information about the Governing Body’s sub-committees

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Appendix 1

Jersey College for Girls is keen to recruit a Governor, with financial acumen, to complement its existing cohort of Governors.  The successful applicant will ideally have a recognised financial qualification as well as significant experience of financial management and control in a financial, commercial or non-profit environment.  The term of office is for a minimum of three years, renewable by mutual agreement. As well as attending the five full Governors’ meetings held during an academic year, the applicant will sit on the Governing Body’s Finance and Property Sub-Committee, which meets four times an academic year. The specific responsibilities of the Finance sub-committee include:

1. in accordance with the procedures established by and policies of the Minister, to assist in planning expenditure for the College to include the approving and monitoring of the College’s annual budget;
2. in accordance with legislation and the Education Department’s policies, to establish formal procedures and timetables for planning the budget to ensure all relevant factors are considered;
3. to consider and approve detailed estimates by the Principal of expenditure and income required in advance of each financial period;
4. to ensure identifiable links between the College’s annual budget, the School Development Plan and the College’s 6 year strategy;
5. to monitor planned expenditure against budget for the year;
6. to monitor adherence to the financial directives issued from the States of Jersey Treasury, including those directives which relate to the limits of the Principal’s and Head Teacher’s delegated authority powers to authorise expenditure and to vire monies;
7. to monitor each budget allocation in the light of known activity and to monitor and advise on correction of over or under spends;
8. to consider and propose to the full Governing Body for approval the level of fees required for the provision of education in each school for the school year and then submit such proposal to the Minister of Education for his/her approval;
9. to agree and review the Payment of Fees policy;
10. to review the planned maintenance programme for the school;
11. to monitor and advise on property matters involving Property Holdings, including matters relating to the tenancy agreement [and the service level agreement] between the College and Property Holdings;
12. to review, agree and monitor any tenders for maintenance/repair/new work in excess of £20,000;
13. to monitor and evaluate contractual works for repairs, maintenance/renewals and new building works in excess of £20,000;
14. to liaise and consult with other sub- committees where necessary; and
15. to periodically review the Terms of Reference for the Finance and Property Sub-Committee.

This is an honorary position and is unpaid.  In return for your time and commitment, you will gain experience of working on a board with other committed volunteers, the opportunity to help our devoted leadership team achieve the vision they are working towards, and see tangible outcomes in the form of a happy, thriving, and growing College for our students.

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Appendix 2

Jersey College for Girls is keen to recruit a Governor, with financial acumen, to complement its existing cohort of Governors.  The successful applicant will ideally have a recognised financial qualification as well as significant experience of financial management and control in a financial, commercial or non-profit environment.  The term of office is for a minimum of three years, renewable by mutual agreement.  This is an honorary position and is unpaid. As well as attending the five full Governors’ meetings held during an academic year, the applicant will sit on the Governing Body’s Finance and Property Sub-Committee, which meets four times an academic year. The College has a number of exciting challenges ahead of it including the development of fields into a sports field and green space; fulfilling the international project that will culminate with admitting international students in to the senior school as well as improvements to the existing provision. In return for your time and commitment, you will gain experience of working on a board with other committed volunteers, the opportunity to help our devoted leadership team achieve the vision they are working towards, and see tangible outcomes in the form of a happy, thriving and growing College for our students. Applicants who wish to be considered for this role should submit a full CV, explaining their background and professional qualifications and why they believe they are particularly suited for the role, to Lisa Biddlecombe, Clerk to the Board of Governors, at [email protected].  All applications will be acknowledged and those candidates who are shortlisted will be invited in for more detailed discussions.  The closing date for applications is Wednesday 25 October 2017.

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Appendix 3

Jersey College for Girls is keen to recruit a Governor, with [financial acumen], to complement its existing cohort of Governors.  The successful applicant will ideally have a [recognised financial qualification as well as significant experience of financial management and control in a financial, commercial or non-profit environment].  This is a voluntary position and is unpaid. For further information on the role, how to apply and to view a copy of the job description please visit our website https://jerseycfg.wpengine.com/about-us/employment-opportunities/ or contact [Mrs Lisa Biddlecombe], Clerk to the Board of Governors, at [email address] or tel. [516208].  The closing date for applications is [ ].