Local Governing Committee Support Officer
The Park Academies Trust is looking for an Local Governing Committee (LGC) Support Officer to join our central governance team. Are you looking for a new challenge? Are you organised and efficient, with experience of providing support to a school board?
This is a rewarding opportunity to make a difference.
Details of role: Part time, permanent role working 20 hours per week (52 weeks). The postholder will be required to work flexibly, with some meetings being held during the day but the majority held in the evening. Some home-working may be possible with agreement.
Salary: £25,600 to £29,411 gross per annum pro rata . Actual salary will be £13,837 to £15,897 gross per annum. (dependent on experience)
Job Purpose:
To act as a strategic governance professional, supporting the Local Governing Committee (LGC), Principal / Headteacher, and Trust Governance Team to ensure effective, ethical, and impactful governance that improves pupil outcomes.
The role combines:
- Expert procedural and legal advice
- Strategic governance enablement
- Risk and assurance coordination
- Insight-led support to decision-making
The Governance Officer plays a central role in enabling the LGC to fulfil its delegated responsibilities within the Trust’s Scheme of Delegation and to operate as part of a coherent MAT governance system.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Strategic Governance Support
- Support the LGC to focus on strategic priorities, ensuring alignment with Trust vision, values, and improvement plans
- Work with the Chair and Principal / Headteacher to ensure agendas:
- Prioritise impact on pupil outcomes
- Enable robust challenge and accountability
- Avoid operational detail
- Provide independent, professional advice on governance effectiveness, committee dynamics, and decision-making
- Support the LGC in self-evaluation, impact assessment, and continuous improvement
2. Governance Advice, Compliance and Ethics
- Advise on governance legislation, statutory guidance, and Trust policies
- Act as the LGC’s ‘constitutional conscience’, ensuring compliance with:
- Academy Trust Handbook
- Scheme of Delegation
- Terms of Reference
- Ensure governance practice reflects high standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability
- Provide guidance on conflicts of interest, ethical conduct, and governance best practice
3. Risk, Assurance and Escalation
- Support the LGC in understanding and discharging its role within the Trust’s risk and assurance framework
- Ensure alignment between LGC activities and:
- Trust risk registers
- Key assurance areas (safeguarding, SEND, finance, estates)
- Identify and escalate emerging risks and concerns to the Head of Governance and Policy
- Track and monitor assurance reporting and follow-up actions
4. Data, Insight and Decision Support
- Work with leaders to ensure governors receive clear, concise and meaningful information
- Help shape meeting papers to:
- Highlight key risks, trends, and performance issues
- Support evidence-informed challenge
- Support governors to interpret data and ask effective strategic questions
- Ensure decisions are clearly linked to:
- Trust priorities
- Performance outcomes
- Risk considerations
5. MAT Governance Coordination
- Act as a key link between the LGC and Trust governance structures
- Ensure effective two-way communication and escalation
- Promote consistency of governance practice across the Trust
- Support clarity of roles between:
- Trust Board
- Executive leaders
- Local governance
6. Meeting Management and Professional Clerking
- With the Governance Team, plan and coordinate an annual cycle of governance business aligned to Trust priorities
- Prepare meetings in collaboration with the Chair and Principal / Headteacher
- Ensure timely circulation of high-quality papers
- Attend meetings and:
- ensure quoracy
- guide procedure
- record attendance and interests
- Produce accurate, concise, impact-focused minutes that clearly capture:
- challenge
- decisions
- actions
- Maintain a decision and action tracker, ensuring follow-up
7. Governance Effectiveness and Development
- Support the recruitment, induction, and development of governors
- Maintain oversight of:
- Skills audits
- Succession planning
- Role allocation
- Coordinate and evaluate governor training and development programmes
- Contribute to external reviews of governance and improvement plans
8. Digital Governance and Information Management
- Utilise digital governance platforms (eg GovernorHub) to improve efficiency and transparency
- Promote effective and secure digital governance practices
- Ensure compliance with:
- GDPR
- Data protection requirements
- Support innovation in governance processes, including use of digital tools and automation
9. Stakeholder Engagement and Transparency
- Ensure statutory governance information is accurate, accessible, and meaningful
- Support the LGC in maintaining transparent and accountable governance
- Facilitate appropriate communication between governance and stakeholders
- Support analysis of complaints, feedback, and stakeholder voice to inform governance
10. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)
- Support the LGC to:
- Promote inclusive governance practices
- Monitor diversity of governance structures
- Embed EDI considerations into governance processes and decision-making
11. Membership and Governance Administration
- Maintain accurate records of:
- membership
- terms of office
- attendance
- declarations of interest
- Manage governor appointments and elections in line with statutory requirements
- Ensure compliance with:
- DBS requirements
- eligibility criteria
- Maintain policy schedules and ensure timely review
12. Professional Development
- Undertake continuous professional development to maintain up-to-date knowledge of governance and education policy
- Engage with professional networks and best practice guidance
- Contribute to the development of governance practice across the Trust
Person Specification
Qualifications and Professional Development
Essential
- Evidence of relevant professional development in governance / clerking
- Commitment to ongoing CPD and keeping up to date with education governance
Desirable
- Accredited governance qualification (eg NGA / Chartered Governance Institute)
- Experience of working in a Multi-Academy Trust environment
Knowledge and Understanding
Essential
- Understanding of:
- School / MAT governance structures and roles
- Academy Trust Handbook and statutory guidance
- Safeguarding, SEND, and key compliance frameworks
- Knowledge of committee procedures, constitutional governance, and decision-making processes
Desirable
- Understanding of:
- Risk management and assurance frameworks
- How governance contributes to school improvement and pupil outcomes
- Data dashboards and educational performance metrics
- Awareness of Ofsted expectations of governance
Skills
Essential
- Excellent written communication (ability to produce concise, accurate minutes)
- Strong organisation and planning skills
- Ability to interpret guidance and apply it in practice
- Strong interpersonal skills; ability to build relationships with:
- chairs
- senior leaders
- governors
- High level of discretion and confidentiality
- Confident use of digital systems (eg governance platforms, MS Office)
Advanced (highly desirable)
- Ability to:
- Analyse and summarise complex information and data
- Identify key issues, risks, and gaps in papers
- Support strategic conversations and challenge
- Confidence to advise and influence senior stakeholders
- Ability to manage multiple governance streams across a MAT
- Digital fluency in paperless governance and information systems
Experience
Essential
- Experience of:
- Clerking or governance administration
- Supporting formal meetings and minute-taking
- Working with senior stakeholders
Desirable
- Experience in a MAT or complex governance structure
- Experience of:
- Supporting complaints / exclusions panels
- Coordinating policy review cycles
- Governance development or training programmes
Highly valuable
- Experience of:
- Supporting board effectiveness reviews
- Working with performance or risk information
- Contributing to governance across multiple schools
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Professional, impartial, and highly trustworthy
- Able to remain independent and objective
- Detail-focused with strong accuracy
- Proactive and able to work independently
Desirable
- Strategic mindset
- Confidence to act as a ‘critical friend’
- Resilient and able to work in complex, evolving governance environments
- Commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion in governance
Role Impact
The Governance Officer will:
- Strengthen accountability and challenge
- Improve decision-making quality
- Enhance efficiency and effectiveness of governance
- Ensure the LGC contributes to better outcomes for pupils
Job scope: The post holder has no direct line management responsibilities.
No job description can be exhaustive and the duties may alter in practice or over time. The post holder is expected to use their professional judgment to ensure that the role continues to evolve and develop in line with the Trust’s changing requirements.
In accordance with the provisions of GDPR, jobholders should take reasonable care to ensure that personal data is not disclosed outside the Trust procedures, or use personal data held on others for their own purposes. In accordance with the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, ensure requests for non-personal information are dealt with in accordance with the Trust's written procedures.
This organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment.
Staff must work in accordance with the Trust Safeguarding and Child Protection Statement and school Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy and understand their role within that Policy.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Strategic Governance Support
- Support the LGC to focus on strategic priorities, ensuring alignment with Trust vision, values, and improvement plans
- Work with the Chair and Principal / Headteacher to ensure agendas:
- Prioritise impact on pupil outcomes
- Enable robust challenge and accountability
- Avoid operational detail
- Provide independent, professional advice on governance effectiveness, committee dynamics, and decision-making
- Support the LGC in self-evaluation, impact assessment, and continuous improvement
2. Governance Advice, Compliance and Ethics
- Advise on governance legislation, statutory guidance, and Trust policies
- Act as the LGC’s ‘constitutional conscience’, ensuring compliance with:
- Academy Trust Handbook
- Scheme of Delegation
- Terms of Reference
- Ensure governance practice reflects high standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability
- Provide guidance on conflicts of interest, ethical conduct, and governance best practice
3. Risk, Assurance and Escalation
- Support the LGC in understanding and discharging its role within the Trust’s risk and assurance framework
- Ensure alignment between LGC activities and:
- Trust risk registers
- Key assurance areas (safeguarding, SEND, finance, estates)
- Identify and escalate emerging risks and concerns to the Head of Governance and Policy
- Track and monitor assurance reporting and follow-up actions
4. Data, Insight and Decision Support
- Work with leaders to ensure governors receive clear, concise and meaningful information
- Help shape meeting papers to:
- Highlight key risks, trends, and performance issues
- Support evidence-informed challenge
- Support governors to interpret data and ask effective strategic questions
- Ensure decisions are clearly linked to:
- Trust priorities
- Performance outcomes
- Risk considerations
5. MAT Governance Coordination
- Act as a key link between the LGC and Trust governance structures
- Ensure effective two-way communication and escalation
- Promote consistency of governance practice across the Trust
- Support clarity of roles between:
- Trust Board
- Executive leaders
- Local governance
6. Meeting Management and Professional Clerking
- With the Governance Team, plan and coordinate an annual cycle of governance business aligned to Trust priorities
- Prepare meetings in collaboration with the Chair and Principal / Headteacher
- Ensure timely circulation of high-quality papers
- Attend meetings and:
- ensure quoracy
- guide procedure
- record attendance and interests
- Produce accurate, concise, impact-focused minutes that clearly capture:
- challenge
- decisions
- actions
- Maintain a decision and action tracker, ensuring follow-up
7. Governance Effectiveness and Development
- Support the recruitment, induction, and development of governors
- Maintain oversight of:
- Skills audits
- Succession planning
- Role allocation
- Coordinate and evaluate governor training and development programmes
- Contribute to external reviews of governance and improvement plans
8. Digital Governance and Information Management
- Utilise digital governance platforms (eg GovernorHub) to improve efficiency and transparency
- Promote effective and secure digital governance practices
- Ensure compliance with:
- GDPR
- Data protection requirements
- Support innovation in governance processes, including use of digital tools and automation
9. Stakeholder Engagement and Transparency
- Ensure statutory governance information is accurate, accessible, and meaningful
- Support the LGC in maintaining transparent and accountable governance
- Facilitate appropriate communication between governance and stakeholders
- Support analysis of complaints, feedback, and stakeholder voice to inform governance
10. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)
- Support the LGC to:
- Promote inclusive governance practices
- Monitor diversity of governance structures
- Embed EDI considerations into governance processes and decision-making
11. Membership and Governance Administration
- Maintain accurate records of:
- membership
- terms of office
- attendance
- declarations of interest
- Manage governor appointments and elections in line with statutory requirements
- Ensure compliance with:
- DBS requirements
- eligibility criteria
- Maintain policy schedules and ensure timely review
12. Professional Development
- Undertake continuous professional development to maintain up-to-date knowledge of governance and education policy
- Engage with professional networks and best practice guidance
- Contribute to the development of governance practice across the Trust
Person Specification
Qualifications and Professional Development
Essential
- Evidence of relevant professional development in governance / clerking
- Commitment to ongoing CPD and keeping up to date with education governance
Desirable
- Accredited governance qualification (eg NGA / Chartered Governance Institute)
- Experience of working in a Multi-Academy Trust environment
Knowledge and Understanding
Essential
- Understanding of:
- School / MAT governance structures and roles
- Academy Trust Handbook and statutory guidance
- Safeguarding, SEND, and key compliance frameworks
- Knowledge of committee procedures, constitutional governance, and decision-making processes
Desirable
- Understanding of:
- Risk management and assurance frameworks
- How governance contributes to school improvement and pupil outcomes
- Data dashboards and educational performance metrics
- Awareness of Ofsted expectations of governance
Skills
Essential
- Excellent written communication (ability to produce concise, accurate minutes)
- Strong organisation and planning skills
- Ability to interpret guidance and apply it in practice
- Strong interpersonal skills; ability to build relationships with:
- chairs
- senior leaders
- governors
- High level of discretion and confidentiality
- Confident use of digital systems (eg governance platforms, MS Office)
Advanced (highly desirable)
- Ability to:
- Analyse and summarise complex information and data
- Identify key issues, risks, and gaps in papers
- Support strategic conversations and challenge
- Confidence to advise and influence senior stakeholders
- Ability to manage multiple governance streams across a MAT
- Digital fluency in paperless governance and information systems
Experience
Essential
- Experience of:
- Clerking or governance administration
- Supporting formal meetings and minute-taking
- Working with senior stakeholders
Desirable
- Experience in a MAT or complex governance structure
- Experience of:
- Supporting complaints / exclusions panels
- Coordinating policy review cycles
- Governance development or training programmes
Highly valuable
- Experience of:
- Supporting board effectiveness reviews
- Working with performance or risk information
- Contributing to governance across multiple schools
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Professional, impartial, and highly trustworthy
- Able to remain independent and objective
- Detail-focused with strong accuracy
- Proactive and able to work independently
Desirable
- Strategic mindset
- Confidence to act as a ‘critical friend’
- Resilient and able to work in complex, evolving governance environments
- Commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion in governance
Role Impact
The Governance Officer will:
- Strengthen accountability and challenge
- Improve decision-making quality
- Enhance efficiency and effectiveness of governance
- Ensure the LGC contributes to better outcomes for pupils
Job scope: The post holder has no direct line management responsibilities.
No job description can be exhaustive and the duties may alter in practice or over time. The post holder is expected to use their professional judgment to ensure that the role continues to evolve and develop in line with the Trust’s changing requirements.
In accordance with the provisions of GDPR, jobholders should take reasonable care to ensure that personal data is not disclosed outside the Trust procedures, or use personal data held on others for their own purposes. In accordance with the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, ensure requests for non-personal information are dealt with in accordance with the Trust's written procedures.
This organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment.
Staff must work in accordance with the Trust Safeguarding and Child Protection Statement and school Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy and understand their role within that Policy.
Job Types: Part-time, Permanent
Pay: £25,600.00-£29,411.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Employee discount
- On-site parking
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Swindon SN25 2ND
