How to become a clerk to governors in Oxfordshire

Every governing body must employ a clerk to governors

How a clerk can make a difference

This is a key paid position of the governing body. Research shows that an effective clerk can make a substantial contribution to the efficiency of a governing body, enabling them to fulfil their roles more comprehensively and effectively. It is a professional role, involving a lot more than just minute-taking.

The purpose of the clerk’s role is to:

provide advice to the governing body on governance, constitutional and procedural matters.
provide effective administrative support to the governing body and its committees.
ensure the governing body is properly constituted.
manage information effectively in accordance with legal requirements.

Desirable skills

Desirable skills for a clerk include being able to write agendas and accurate concise minutes, having good ICT skills, being able to organise their time, work to deadlines, organise meetings and keep records.

Personal attributes include being able to maintain confidentiality, being able to remain impartial, having a flexible approach to working hours, having good interpersonal skills, being able to work at times convenient to the governing body, including evening meetings and being able to travel to meetings.

The job offers flexible working hours, often evening work, and an interesting insight into the world of education, particularly leadership and management within our schools.

How schools employ clerks

Schools can choose either to buy into the Local Authority Clerking Service, which provides the school with a quality assured, well-trained clerk at all governing body meetings of the full board throughout the year, or they can employ clerks independently by advertising and appointing to their own school staff structure.