Clerk to the Governors

Department: Administration

Employment Type: Permanent

Working Hours: 1½ days per week on average, flexibility is required

Commencement: January 2026

Salary: Competitive, dependant on experience

Pension Scheme: Support Staff

Holiday: 30 days plus bank holidays.

Fringe Benefits: Free meal during term time, EAP programme, membership of BUPA Cash Plan Scheme, discounted membership of School Sports Centre & Golf Course, discounted rate to Layard Theatre productions, Cycle to Work Scheme, free parking

Probationary Period: 6 months

Selection Process: Formal Interview

Closing Date: 12 November 2025

Clerk to the Governors

We are seeking a part-time Clerk to the Governors to manage and support the work of the Governing Body (GB) of the Canford Schools Group. The Clerk will play an essential part in the continuing development of our effective and successful GB, helping to ensure that our schools continue to flourish under effective leadership and governance.

The focus of the role is to provide proactive advice to the Governors on constitutional and procedural governance matters, and to provide effective administrative support to the GB, its committees and Working Groups (WGs). The Clerk will report directly to the Chair of Governors and work closely with the Head and Chief Operating Officer (COO - Bursar).

The position is for 1½ days per week on average, although flexibility will be required as working hours will vary depending on the cycle of governance meetings. Meetings are timetabled well in advance to enable pre-planning.

The starting salary will be dependent on experience and maybe higher for exceptionally qualified candidates. We would welcome a conversation with potential applicants regarding their salary expectations; please feel free to contact us using the details at the bottom of the advert. 

BACKGROUND:

The recently established Canford Schools Group currently governs 2 schools: Canford School, an independent boarding and day school for pupils 13 to 18, and Dumpton School, a day preparatory school.  Canford was founded in 1923 by Reverand Percy Warrington who aimed to develop boys’ character and prepare them for life, a mission that continues to guide the school’s ethos today.  Canford became fully co-educational in 1995.  Dumpton School was founded in 1903 in Broadstairs, Kent as a boy’s boarding school.  The school relocated to Wimborne in 1945, is now a co-educational day preparatory school, feeding a variety of senior schools, including Canford.

NATURE OF THE ROLE: 

Reporting to the Chair of Governors and working closely with the Head and Bursar, the Clerk will provide support services and advice to the Governing Body (GB), Governors, their committees and Working Groups (WG) to ensure corporate compliance and effective governance.

Based at: Canford School, where a workspace will be available, although some of the role can be carried out at home.  Attendance will be required at all GB and committee meetings which are usually based at Canford School in Wimborne.  Attendance will also be required at the annual Strategy Day. 

DUTIES

GB Meetings and Proceedings

Working closely with the Executive Assistant to the Bursar.

  • Set a programme of meetings well in advance, serve the GB (4 meetings a year) and the committees/WGs (currently 15 meetings a year), prepare, commission and circulate papers in good time, using the governors’ section of the school’s website as much as possible, and follow up on action items.
  • Convene and attend all GB, committee and WG meetings, record attendance, take notes and prepare minutes for signature, and record all decisions.
  • Serve as necessary any WGs that may be set up from time to time.
  • Arrange and attend the annual Strategy Day.
  • Maintain and update all terms of reference for committees and WGs.
  • Ensure that GB and committee meetings are properly constituted, and meetings are quorate.
  • Ensure that GB sponsored policies are updated regularly according to schedule, using e-mail for agreement as appropriate to the amount of GB business and significance of any changes.

Legislative Updates and Training

  • Provide regular updates to Governors on regulation and guidance pertaining to their statutory obligations and governance.
  • Advise Governors, the Head, Bursar and senior leaders on company law and governance matters and reply to queries on statutory and procedural matters.
  • Ensure that the Governing Instrument meet the needs of the schools and advise the Chair of appropriate or necessary amendments.
  • In connection with the Bursar and support staff Directors, liaise with legal advisors to ensure Governors are fully apprised of the legal implications of their decisions where relevant.

Governors and Relationships

  • Be accountable to the Governors, working closely with the Chair of Governors, committee Chairs, the Head, Bursar and other stakeholders.
  • Maintain a record of the skills matrix of the GB, working with the chair of the ESG Committee on arrangements for appointments.
  • Organise and serve any panels of governors that may be necessary to hear appeals or deal with formal grievances, parental complaints etc.
  • Keep the Governors’ portal on SharePoint (or any successor computer system) up to date in liaison with the Executive Assistant to the Bursar.

Statutory Documentation

  • In conjunction with Bursar & Director of Finance, ensure that statutory annual returns and other filings are sent to Companies House, and that the schools’ responsibilities to the Charity Commission are met.
  • Ensure that the register of interests for governors is maintained and that all potential conflicts are declared at the commencement of all governance meetings.
  • Liaise with Bursar & Director of Finance on preparation of annual report and accounts.
  • Coordinate periodic audits of governance as recommended by AGBIS and initiated by the Chair.

No job description can fully cover all aspects of such an appointment and therefore the successful person must be flexible and willing to take on other reasonable responsibilities and tasks in order to fulfil the role.

 KNOWLEDGE / EXPERIENCE 

  • Educated to degree level (E)
  • Company secretary or Corporate Secretariat qualifications or relevant experience (E)
  • Legal professional qualification (D)
  • A proven track record of supporting board(s) with non-executive members and committees (D)
  • A proven track record in delivering as required (E)
  • Experience of minute taking and ability to compile well-written, concise documents and letters (E)
  • Experience of working in the charity sector and/or educational sector (D)
  • Understanding of the educational sector, charity law and public benefit (E)
  • Good working knowledge of legislation, regulations or guidance pertaining to governance as published by Charity commission, companies house, ISC, HMC, AGBIS, ISBA, ISI and other bodies (E)
  • Highly motivated, personable and energetic (E)
  • IT-literate with good standard of knowledge of Microsoft Office, Databases and understanding of the use of AI in governance (E)
  • Ability to plan, organise and prioritise to ensure that deadlines are met (E)
  • Excellent written and communication skills (E)
  • A good employment record with references (E)
  • Ability to provide clear, objective and impartial advice (E)

The closing date for applications is Wednesday, 12th November 2025 and we anticipate that interviews will take place w/c 17th November 2025.

For a confidential discussion about the position please contact the Bursar, David Brook, on 01202 847551 or bursar@canford.com.

 

Canford School is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion in all areas of our community and encourages applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

Canford School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

All successful job applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening.

 

Apply now