Advice and clerking

• regular briefings and information sharing (electronically, face to face and virtually)
• provision of an information booklet for new Governors/Trustees to support their induction
• procedural advice on the statutory Governance functions during clerked meetings including the presentation of briefing papers (where appropriate)
• advice and information regarding agenda items and governance issues including terms of office and appointment/re-appointment of Governors/Trustees
• review and delivery of governance development briefings
• provision of draft policies for consideration and adoption
• guidance on policy and practice when dealing with complaints
• unlimited year-round telephone advice and support by professionally trained and experienced clerks on issues related to governance
• advice, support and provision of documentation in relation to the election of Parent and Staff Governors (where appropriate)
• liaison with the appropriate council regarding the nomination for a Local Authority Governor (where appropriate)
• liaison with the relevant Diocese regarding the appointment of Foundation Governors (where appropriate)
• liaison with appropriate services regarding bespoke training and development
• liaison with the Education Durham regarding additional support from Senior Leadership Advisors (where appropriate)

• clerking support and attendance of a clerk at meetings in accordance with the package purchased
• termly reminder and advice regarding the Headteacher’s termly report
• email and telephone contact to arrange termly and committee agendas
• production and circulation of all papers for termly Governing Body/Trust Board meetings and, where clerked, Committee meetings
• accurate, high quality minutes with a draft sent to the Headteacher / Chair for amendment/approval
• meeting action points produced and circulated to the Headteacher / Chair within 3 working days following the meeting
• follow-up actions and / or correspondence undertaken as instructed by the Governing Body/Trust Board
• maintenance of records relating to the Governing Body/Trust Board including full Governing Body/Trust Boards membership, committee membership, attendance (full termly and committee meetings)

In addition, a suitably qualified and experienced Clerk can also arrange, advise on and clerk meetings called specifically in relation to leadership appointments, staffing reductions, pay review meetings, complaints, Human Resource matters or pupil exclusions.  An additional charge will apply where meetings are outside of the package purchased.

All Governing Bodies/Trust Boards must have a Chair.  The Chair, supported by the Vice Chair is responsible for ensuring the effective functioning of the Governing Body/Trust Board and has a vital role in setting the highest of expectations for professional standards of governance.  It is the Chair’s role to give the Governing Body/Trust Board  clear leadership and direction, keeping it focused on its core functions.

EDGS offers a SLA which provides support to the Chair in their role as the HT’s Line Manager and as leader of the Governing Body/Trust Board

For further information on what this SLA offers please contact us.