Newham Sixth Form College

ROLE DESCRIPTION OF THE CHAIR OF CORPORATION

PURPOSE OF ROLE:

To provide leadership to the Corporation in exercising collective responsibility for financial probity, the proper conduct of its business and in fulfilling its statutory duties and responsibilities.

MAIN DUTIES

STATUTORY DUTIES

1. The Chair is required to lead the Corporation in the delivery of its statutory duties outlined in the Instrument and Articles of Government which currently are:

(a) The determination and periodic review of the educational character and mission of the institution and the oversight of its activities. (b) Publishing arrangements for obtaining the views of staff and students on the determination and periodic review of the educational character and mission of the institution and the oversight of its activities. (c) Approving the quality strategy of the institution. (d) The effective and efficient use of resources, the solvency of the institution and the Corporation and safeguarding their assets. (e) Approving annual estimates of income and expenditure. (f) The appointment, grading, suspension, dismissal and determination of the pay and conditions of service of the holders of senior posts and the Clerk, including, where the Clerk is, or is to be appointed as, a member of staff, the Clerk’s appointment, grading, suspension, dismissal and determination of pay in the capacity of a member of staff. (g) Setting a framework for the pay and conditions of service of all other staff. LEADERSHIP

1. Responsible for providing effective leadership to the Governing Body; for ensuring that the view of members are sought; meetings are conducted efficiently and for accepting the recommendations of the majority governors for matters requiring urgent decisions at inquorate meetings. 2. Develop the Corporation as a team, utilise the variety of skills brought to it by all governors. 3. Maintain the Boards awareness of the distinction between governance and management. Keep the focus on strategic issues. 4. Ensure that the Corporation addresses equality and diversity issues that its composition reflects its community and that member’s skills mix is such that it supports the achievement of the College Development Plan.

STANDARDS OF CONDUCT

1. Work with the Principal, Clerk and others as appropriate to ensure that all governors adhere to the requirements of the Instrument and Articles of Government, Code of Conduct, Role descriptions, requirements to declare interests and act with integrity. 2. Work with the Clerk to identify and manage any conflicts of interest. 3. Act fairly, impartially and in the best interests of the Corporation and College.

MANAGING CORPORATION BUSINESS

1. Agree Agenda’s in conjunction with the Clerk and Principal. 2. Approve draft minutes prior to publication. 3. Decide whether to use a second or casting vote if there is an equal division of votes. 4. Call ‘special’ meetings, at short notice if an item of business necessitates this action. 5. Check that agreed actions are followed up between meetings. 6. Act on behalf of the Corporation between meetings where unforeseen and urgent business renders this absolutely necessary and report to the next meeting. (See Footnote 2. Below) 7. Apply the seal to relevant Corporation documents, with the prior approval of the Board.

PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT

1. Ensure that the Board set challenging, SMART teaching, learning and assessment KPI’s and monitor College performance against them. 2. Promote robust self-assessment of the work of the College, Board and its members (including attendance at meetings, adherence to the Code of Conduct and CPD participation). HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

1. Line manages the Principal and Clerk to the Corporation. 2. Undertake the duties assigned to the Chair within College discipline, suspension, dismissal and grievance procedures. 3. Ensure that the Principal and Clerk are appraised and undertake relevant CPD.

ADVOCACY

1. Act as an ambassador and spokesperson for the Corporation. Ensure that public statements made on behalf of the Corporation are consistent with its decisions and discussed with the appropriate people, normally the Principal. 2. Represent Corporation at external events and promote its work and mission.

FOOTNOTES

1. This document is subject to periodic review to ensure compliance with current legislation, funding agency requirements and best practice. 2. For the purposes of ‘MANAGING CORPORATION BUSINESS, number 6, “urgent” is defined as having to make a decision relating to the wellbeing of the Institution, staff and/or students in a time frame that prohibits a Governing Body meeting being held. ROLE DESCRIPTION OF THE VICE-CHAIR OF CORPORATION

PURPOSE OF ROLE:

To act in accordance with the Governor’s Role Description; support and in her/his absence, carry out the full duties of the Chair. Maintain a high level of strategy knowledge and understanding in readiness to be able take over the role of the Chair outlined below. To provide leadership to the Corporation in exercising collective responsibility for financial probity, the proper conduct of its business and in fulfilling its statutory duties and responsibilities.

MAIN DUTIES

STATUTORY DUTIES

1. The Chair is required to lead the Corporation in the delivery of its statutory duties outlined in the Instrument and Articles of Government which currently are:

(a) The determination and periodic review of the educational character and mission of the institution and the oversight of its activities. (b) Publishing arrangements for obtaining the views of staff and students on the determination and periodic review of the educational character and mission of the institution and the oversight of its activities. (c) Approving the quality strategy of the institution. (d) The effective and efficient use of resources, the solvency of the institution and the Corporation and safeguarding their assets. (e) Approving annual estimates of income and expenditure. (f) The appointment, grading, suspension, dismissal and determination of the pay and conditions of service of the holders of senior posts and the Clerk, including, where the Clerk is, or is to be appointed as, a member of staff, the Clerk’s appointment, grading, suspension, dismissal and determination of pay in the capacity of a member of staff. (g) Setting a framework for the pay and conditions of service of all other staff. LEADERSHIP

1. Responsible for providing effective leadership to the Governing Body; for ensuring that the view of members are sought; meetings are conducted efficiently and for accepting the recommendations of the majority governors for matters requiring urgent decisions at inquorate meetings. 2. Develop the Corporation as a team, utilise the variety of skills brought to it by all governors. 3. Maintain the Boards awareness of the distinction between governance and management. Keep the focus on strategic issues. 4. Ensure that the Corporation addresses equality and diversity issues, that its composition reflects its community and that member’s skills mix is such that it supports the achievement of the College Development Plan.

1. Work with the Principal, Clerk and others as appropriate to ensure that all governors adhere to the requirements of the Instrument and Articles of Government, Code of Conduct, Role descriptions, requirements to declare interests and act with integrity. 2. Work with the Clerk to identify and manage any conflicts of interest. 3. Act fairly, impartially and in the best interests of the Corporation and College.

MANAGING CORPORATION BUSINESS

1. Agree Agenda’s in conjunction with the Clerk and Principal. 2. Approve draft minutes prior to publication. 3. Decide whether to use a second or casting vote if there is an equal division of votes. 4. Call ‘special’ meetings, at short notice if an item of business necessitates this action. 5. Check that agreed actions are followed up between meetings. 6. Act on behalf of the Corporation between meetings where unforeseen and urgent business renders this absolutely necessary and report to the next meeting. (See Footnote 2. Below) 7. Apply the seal to relevant Corporation documents, with the prior approval of the Board.

1. Ensure that the Board set challenging, SMART teaching, learning and assessment KPI’s and monitor College performance against them. 2. Promote robust self-assessment of the work of the College, Board and its members (including attendance at meetings, adherence to the Code of Conduct and CPD participation). HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

1. Line manages the Principal and Clerk to the Corporation. 2. Undertake the duties assigned to the Chair within College discipline, suspension, dismissal and grievance procedures. 3. Ensure that the Principal and Clerk are appraised and undertake relevant CPD.

ADVOCACY

1. Act as an ambassador and spokesperson for the Corporation. Ensure that public statements made on behalf of the Corporation are consistent with its decisions and discussed with the appropriate people, normally the Principal. 2. Represent Corporation at external events and promote its work and mission.

FOOTNOTES

1. This document is subject to periodic review to ensure compliance with current legislation, funding agency requirements and best practice. 2. For the purposes of ‘MANAGING CORPORATION BUSINESS, number 6, “urgent” is defined as having to make a decision relating to the wellbeing of the Institution, staff and/or students in a time frame that prohibits a Governing Body meeting being held. GOVERNOR ROLE DESCRIPTION

PURPOSE OF ROLE:

Exercise collective responsibility as part of the Corporation for its financial probity, proper conduct of Corporation business, compliance with statutory duties and responsibilities.

MAIN DUTIES

STATUTORY DUTIES As a member of the Corporation, exercise collective responsibility for delivery its statutory duties including those outlined in the Instrument and Articles of Government which currently are:

(a) The determination and periodic review of the educational character and mission of the institution and the oversight of its activities. (b) Publishing arrangements for obtaining the views of staff and students on the determination and periodic review of the educational character and mission of the institution and the oversight of its activities. (c) Approving the quality strategy of the institution. (d) The effective and efficient use of resources, the solvency of the institution and the Corporation and safeguarding their assets. (e) Approving annual estimates of income and expenditure. (f) The appointment, grading, suspension, dismissal and determination of the pay and conditions of service of the holders of senior posts and the Clerk, including, where the Clerk is, or is to be appointed as, a member of staff, the Clerk’s appointment, grading, suspension, dismissal and determination of pay in the capacity of a member of staff. (g) Setting a framework for the pay and conditions of service of all other staff.

1. Adhere to the requirements of the Instrument and Articles of Government, Code of Conduct, role description, requirements to declare timely and accurate interests. 2. Work with the Clerk to identify and manage any conflicts of interest. 3. Act fairly, with integrity, impartially and in the best interests of the Corporation and College at all times. 4. Make an effective contribution to discussion at meetings. 5. Take collective responsibility for all decisions of the Corporation and its committees. 6. Support and promote the College’s Mission statement. 7. Understand and respect the distinction between the roles of governance and management. Focus on strategic issues rather than operational detail.

COMMITMENT 1. Prepare properly by reading all Agendas and related papers in advance of the meetings. 2. Attend all meetings of the Corporation (See Code of Conduct) and of any of its committees to which you have been appointed. 3. Support the College outside of meetings by attending events that it organises (e.g. prize giving, open evenings ,exhibitions of students work, meetings with Ofsted, Parent Voice events) 4. Attend Governor Induction, review days, training and development events in order to keep up to date and competent in the delivery of governor responsibilities. 5. Maintain a clear understanding of the college’s strategic direction, work (particularly in relation to teaching, learning and assessment), finances and use of other resources.

AUTHORITY 1. Recognise that individual governors have no specific powers and should not take on any responsibilities outside of meetings unless they are authorised by the Corporation to do so.

1. Together with other Corporation members, collectively set challenging (SMART) key performance indicators (including in relation to teaching, learning and assessment) and monitor College performance against them. 2. Contribute to the robust self-assessment of the work of the College, Board and its members (including attendance at meetings, adherence to the Code of Conduct and CPD participation). ADVOCACY

1. Act as an ambassador for the College and its work, but do not make statements on behalf of the Corporation unless specifically authorised to do so. 2. Represent Corporation at external events and promote its work and mission to the Community.

EMPLOYER

1. The Corporation is the employer and as such governors should be aware of the policy and procedures for the: 2. Appointment, grading, appraisal, determination of pay and conditions of Senior Post holders and the Clerk as outlined. 3. Setting the framework for the appointment, grading, suspension, dismissal and determination of the pay and conditions of other staff.

FOOTNOTES

This document is subject to periodic review to ensure compliance with current legislation, funding agency requirements and best