Are you interested in shaping the strategy and character of your local Further Education College?

Do you have an interest in education and training?

Could you be a governor of Boston College?

We are always interested in hearing from members of the community who would like to join our Board of Governors and help us to achieve our vision ‘to be a brilliant college that transforms people’s lives and makes an outstanding contribution to the economic, social and cultural life of Boston and the surrounding areas.

Governors make an important contribution to the life of the College and its students, helping to ensure that it is well run and meeting the needs of the local community.

The College is keen that its governing body represents the local community. We want to ensure that we have people of different ages and from different backgrounds whose varied experience, skills and commitment can help us to ensure that Boston College is achieving its strategic priorities and meeting the needs of its stakeholders. You may have experience in business or finance, in community service, in the voluntary sector or have a background in education. There is no one type of person best suited to becoming a governor. The most important thing is that you have a genuine interest in the way that Further Education can and should meet the needs of the people it serves and a desire to contribute to the life of the College.

The Role of a Governor

The role of governor is a voluntary one and you will not be paid for taking on the role. However, there are considerable personal benefits to becoming a governor. Some people like to think that they are giving something back to their community. It is a way of gaining new skills and getting unique experience that may help to enhance your career. You will be taking responsibility with your fellow governors for a multi-million pound budget, for a large estate, for hundreds of staff and thousands of students. You will sometimes have challenging decisions to make where often there is a real tension between the values you may hold in wanting to provide first class learning opportunities and limited funding which is available. You will engage in serious debate and will undoubtedly learn much from the collective experience and backgrounds of the other governors.

If you would like to find out more, please check the role description. Further information can be obtained from our Clerk to the Corporation, Janet Hemmant at dfs@boston.ac.uk

How Do I Apply?

If you decide that you would like to apply to be a governor at Boston College, you should email the Clerk to the Corporation who will send you a Skills Audit form to complete. The process of appointment will be open and transparent. All applications for membership are considered by the Search Committee. Occasionally the number of candidates for appointment exceeds the number of vacancies and it may be the case that although personally suitable, you cannot be recommended for immediate appointment, either because there are no vacancies or there is an over-riding need for the Board to replace a particular skillset. The Search Committee will consider any gaps in experience or expertise by the existing members and will try to ensure that new appointments made will fill these gaps and enhance the quality of governance at the College. Issues such as an appropriate gender and ethnic balance of membership and how well membership reflects the communities served by the College will also be taken into account. The Board makes appointments after the Search Committee submits recommendations, following an interview with the applicant. The Search Committee will then decide which name is to be put forward to the Board for consideration and formal appointment. The standard term of office for members is four years but this can be varied at the Board’s discretion and new members are generally appointed for one year in the first instance. A CRB check will be carried out on new governors in order to comply with safeguarding arrangements as they potentially have access to young people and vulnerable adults.

It is an exciting time to become a governor as the Coalition Government believes strongly in the contribution that colleges make to the national skills agenda. The Government wants to give greater freedom and independence to FE colleges to make the right choices for their local communities. If you would like to ensure that Boston College is meeting the needs of its local community and helping to ensure that it goes from strength, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Governor Role Description

Main purpose of job:

To contribute to the academic direction, strategic planning and mission of the college; supporting the decisions of the corporation on the basis of collective responsibility.

Main duties and responsibilities

1. To comply with the provisions of the following documents as they apply to the role of members of the corporation:

• Instrument and Articles of Government.
• The Financial Memorandum.
• The Code of Conduct.
• College financial regulations and financial procedures.
• Standing orders.

2. To act in the best interests of the corporation of Boston College and to support the college’s mission and vision.

3. To undertake induction training on appointment to the role.

4. To read all papers sent prior to a meeting to ensure a full and informal debate and decision making process.

5. To give priority to attending meetings of the corporation and its committees and to make an active contribution at meetings.

6. To support decisions of the corporation and its committees once they have been reached even though individual governors may have spoken against a proposal during a debate at a meeting.

7. To attend occasional college events in order to gain an appreciation of the work of the college and to meet its staff and learners.

8. To commit to attend governor development sessions.

9. To participate in the annual review of performance of the corporation.

10. To promote the effective implementation of the college’s equality and diversity policies in relation to all aspects of the role.

11. To adhere to safeguarding and health and safety regulations.

12. To act as an ambassador of the college within the community.

Page Last Updated : 13/01/2012 11:41:51