Become a Governor

About the role of Governors

Our Governors play a crucial strategic role in the success of the college.  Working collectively, they ensure that the college meets its statutory responsibilities, maintains high standards of education and delivers value for public money.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Strategic Leadership: Setting the college’s vision, ethos and strategic priorities
  • Accountability: Monitoring and challenging the college’s performance, including student outcomes, safeguarding, equality and diversity, and financial health.
  • Support and Oversight: Providing constructive challenge to the Principal and leadership team alongside informed support.
  • Compliance and Assurance: Ensuring the college complies with legal and regulatory requirements (e.g. Ofsted, DfE, Charity Commission)
  • Financial Stewardship: Overseeing budgets and ensuring effective use of resources and public funds.

Governors attend meetings of the full Governing Body (typically twice per term) and contribute to one or more committees aligned with their expertise (e.g. Audit, Remuneration, Search and Governance).  Individual governors also serve as ‘Focus Governor’ where they can most directly contribute their professional expertise in support of the senior leadership team.  All formal meetings take place on Monday evenings at 5pm and dates are agreed for the full year in advance to support diary planning.

Benefits of serving as a Governor

Becoming a governor provides a unique opportunity to make a real difference in young people’s lives and contribute to your local community whilst also enhancing your own professional and personal development.

Benefits include:

  • Personal fulfilment: Contribute to the success and wellbeing of young people at a crucial stage in their lives.
  • Professional development: Gain insight into the governance and strategic leadership of a large, complex organisation – valuable in any career.
  • Networking opportunities: Collaborate with professionals from diverse backgrounds in a collegiate and respectful environment.
  • Training and support: Access to high-quality induction and training programmes to help you succeed in the role.
  • Community engagement: Play a part in shaping the future of education in your area.

Current Vacancies

We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences.  You do not need to be an expert in education, but you should bring curiosity, commitment and integrity to the role.  No previous governance experience required – just a willingness to learn, contribute and work as part of a team.

The Corporation is currently seeking to recruit a number of new governors with the expertise and experience to contribute to the strategic leadership of the college.  We are especially interested in individuals with experience in the following areas:

  • Audit and compliance
  • Special Educational Needs and Disability within Education
  • Safeguarding within Education
  • Careers and skills within Further Education
  • Previous experience of operating at board level

However, if you’re a strategic thinker with good communication and interpersonal skills, we’d love to hear from you!

More information about these specific roles can be found below:

Governor Vacancy – new member to join the Audit committee

We are looking to appoint a new governor to our Audit committee who has board-level or senior management experience in organisations with strong governance structures.  The ideal candidate will have experience in public sector, charity, education or regulated environments and a background in audit, finance, law, governance or risk management.

The Audit committee plays a vital role in scrutinising the risks the college is exposed to, and the control measures it has in place to mitigate these risks.  The committee ensures that the college has effective systems of internal control, governance and risk management, and advises the Corporation on all internal and external audit matters.

Find out more

Governor Vacancy – Safeguarding

We are looking to appoint a new governor with the experience and expertise to support the strategic approach to Safeguarding within the college.  The ideal candidate will have a background and expertise in Safeguarding at a senior level within education or similar field.  Experience in the context of the 16-19 sector would be ideal but not essential; a willingness to learn about the further education sector is critical.

The Safeguarding Focus Governor plays an important role in ensuring oversight and scrutiny of the safeguarding (including Prevent) policy, procedures and practice on behalf of the Corporation.  The Focus Governor will meet regularly with the Designated Safeguarding Lead to ensure that appropriate systems and procedures are in place to cover all aspects of the safeguarding agenda and to ensure that all statutory governing body responsibilities are met.

Find out more

Governor Vacancy – SEND

We are looking to appoint a new governor with experience and expertise to support the strategic approach of the college to SEND.   The ideal candidate will have a background in education, social work, youth work, healthcare or a related SEND field.  Experience in the context of the 16-19 sector would be ideal but not essential; a willingness to learn about the further education sector is critical.

The SEND Focus Governor will be the Corporation’s champion for learners with SEND and those with inclusion needs.  They will support and challenge the college to ensure that no learner is treated less favourably, denied opportunity or left behind because they have additional needs.  They will also support and challenge the college to ensure that staff have high aspirations and expectations of all learners with SEND.  The Focus Governor will meet regularly with the SENCO to ensure that appropriate systems and procedures are in place to ensure that all statutory governing body responsibilities are met.

Find out more

How to apply

Please click here to register your interest

  • Suitable candidates will be invited to attend an interview with a panel of governors.
  • The successful candidate will be subject to DBS checking.
  • This College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
  • Cirencester College welcomes applications from all sectors of the community and is an equal opportunities employer.