Clerk to Governing Boards

About the role

Our Oxfordshire County Council Clerking Service operates as part of the Local Authority’s Governance Services, supporting schools. Governance professionals are sought by both LA maintained schools and academies.

Governing Boards play a key role in ensuring all pupils receive the highest standard of education. It is a statutory requirement that each board has a governance professional who supports the board’s strategic functions, including leadership and direction, culture and safeguarding, legal responsibilities, decision‑making and performance accountability.

In practice you will attend an average of 6 full Governing Board meetings per school per year (typically evenings). Each meeting lasts about two hours and requires an additional eight hours of work from home (agenda preparation, minutes, and administrative tasks). You are expected to support at least two boards, though many clerks manage more. Additional duties may include clerking committee and panel meetings or covering for other governance professionals.

All new governance professionals receive an initial training programme and ongoing briefings and training opportunities to develop the knowledge and skills needed for long‑term success.

Strong organisational skills, the ability to prioritise workload and excellent customer service skills are essential. You must be able to work independently, demonstrate a mature and committed approach, and possess excellent oral and written communication skills, high integrity and the ability to manage confidential matters. Previous experience with governing boards or schools is desirable, and you must be able to travel to schools to attend meetings.

Working with voluntary school governors from diverse backgrounds can be rewarding, and you will develop and maintain good working relationships, providing professional support and advice to strengthen school leadership.

• Culture of flexible working
• Technology to support agile working where role permits
• Up to 31 days holiday p.a. plus bank holidays
• Option to buy additional holiday
• Employee Assistance Programme, including health and wellbeing support
• Membership of the Local Government contributory pension scheme, with employer contribution up to 19.9%
• Enhanced family‑friendly policies
• Local and national discounts for shopping and travel
• Learning and development opportunities to support ongoing development

We are proud of a diverse workforce and accept everyone for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or maternity or family leave. We support staff through peer networks, education and safe spaces.

We guarantee interviews to disabled applicants, care leavers with further education, apprentices, and those transitioning from the Armed Forces within three years of leaving the service, provided they meet the essential criteria.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults, and all recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.

We discuss flexible working arrangements including flexi‑time, full‑time and part‑time, job sharing, nine‑day fortnights and annualised hours, depending on role and service requirements.

This post requires a Disclosure and Barring Service check under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975.

• Refer to the job description above.
• Refer to the job description above.