Clerk to the Governing Body

School and Governor Support provide support for the clerking of governing bodies and promotes effective clerking through:

• Supporting the appointment of governing body clerks
  including the placing of advertisements, acting as a first point of contact for interested applicants, advising governing bodies on selection procedures and issuing on behalf of governing bodies appointment letters and contracts to new clerks.
  
  
• Training and accreditation
  including full induction training and the opportunity for clerks to receive accreditation through Information for School and College Governors (ISCG).
  
  
• Providing a link between governing body clerks and the Local Authority
  through a team of Governing Body Support Officers (GBSO) which advises governing body clerks on all matters that relate to their role and responsibilities.
  
  
• Providing cover clerks on request
  to service the meetings of those governing bodies that are temporarily without a permanent clerk or whose clerk is unable to attend a meeting.
  
  
• The payment of governing body clerks on behalf of governing bodies
  managing the system used by governing body clerks to claim and receive their fee for clerking duties.
  
  The Local Authority recommends a minimum annual fee for clerking duties (paid in termly instalments) that is based on a standard contract. However, governing bodies are free to set their own fee, which takes into account additional meetings and duties not included in the standard contract. The GBSOs provide advice to those governing bodies who wish to amend the contract and fee paid to their Clerk.
  
  A Governing Body must appoint a clerk to each of its committees although this does not have to be the Clerk to the Governing Body. The Local Authority recommends that the Governing Body appoints a clerk that is paid and is suitably qualified.
  
  
• Issuing Information and Advice
  throughout the year, as appropriate, School and Governor Support issues written advice to governing body clerks on matters ranging from Governing Body membership records, to the deadline dates for the claiming of fees.

A model job description for the position of Clerk to the Governing Body is available to download from eBriefing.

For further information or queries that relate to clerks for school governing bodies, please contact Governor Support.