Clerk to Council

Clerk to Council

Wycombe Abbey seeks an organised, professional and highly discreet Clerk to Council to provide effective clerking and governance support to the School’s Council and its committees. This pivotal role ensures the smooth and compliant operation of the governing body, supporting strong governance in a leading independent school. Working closely with the Chair of Council, governors and senior leaders, the post holder will play a central role in enabling effective decision‑making and oversight.

Reports to: Chair of Council (with operational liaison with the Headmistress).

Contract: This is a part‑time, permanent contract. The first three months will be a probationary period.

Hours of Work: A total of 600 hours across the year (approx. 0.36 FTE), predominantly during term time. This role requires the post holder to adopt a flexible approach to working hours to match the rhythm of Council business. They must also be able to attend all meetings of Council, its committees and subsidiaries. Meetings are usually held at the School, or occasionally in London, but the successful candidate will be able to work from home or the School at other times.

As Clerk to Council, you will play a crucial role in supporting the governance framework of the School. Responsibilities include preparing agendas and papers, advising on governance processes, attending meetings, producing accurate minutes, maintaining statutory and governance records, and supporting compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. This role is ideal for a highly organised individual with excellent attention to detail, sound judgement and the ability to handle confidential matters with professionalism and discretion.

• Enrolment in the School’s generous pension scheme
• Fee school remission at Wycombe Abbey and selected prep schools
• Generous CPD training and development scheme
• Free parking
• Free meals
• Free use of the Sports Centre
• Free eye tests
• Access to the Employee Assistance Programme

Wycombe Abbey is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be subject to an enhanced DBS check. It is an offence to apply for this role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity with children.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore all applicants are required to declare all unspent convictions and conditional cautions that are not protected as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2020).

We are an equal opportunities employer. Registered Charity No. 310638.

Wycombe Abbey is a Disability Confident Committed Employer.