Willow Brook Primary School, Colchester, Essex
Professional services
Term time
Fixed Term Contract
(Y)Our Opportunity
We are looking for a dedicated Governor to join our supportive and collaborative team. We are seeking someone with professional experience, gained in any sector, who is passionate about the role that education can play in changing the lives of young people. Our Governors are from a range of backgrounds and work closely with the school leadership team, they are responsible for overseeing the strategic direction, policies, and overall performance of our school.
The most important qualities for any Governor are a commitment to the welfare and achievement of the children, a desire to make a positive contribution to the school, common sense, and a willingness to commit time to the role. Many of the functions of the governing body are statutory or have a legal framework. To carry out our core strategic roles, Governors need to be able to think strategically, challenge, monitor, but also support.
Role specification:
Willow Brook Primary School is part of TKAT, a Multi-Academy Trust. The Trust is a charity, and its Board of Trustees must ensure that it complies with its charitable objectives, which relate to the provision of education in its schools. As such, it is the Trust Board that is accountable for the performance of the Academies in the Trust, and in turn, it is held to account by the Department for Education.
The Trust has chosen to appoint committees for each of its Academies, and these are known as Local Governing Bodies (LGBs). The LGB's responsibilities are set out here in the TKAT scheme of delegation.
The specific tasks and responsibilities of our LGBs can be summarised as
* Represent the Academy's local community and stakeholders by ensuring that the Academy's policies and practice meet the community's needs
* Ensure that the Academy's long-term vision reflects the needs of its community beyond current post-holders, and is in line with TKAT's vision and values
* Support Directors of Education to improve Academy outcomes
* Support the Headteacher to ensure staffing is efficient and effective
There are normally 6 governing body meetings per year, plus very occasional short meetings for the pay committee. It is expected that Governors attend as many in-person meetings as possible, although some meetings may be virtual.
Investing in our governors is a priority for us, and we can offer you:
* A comprehensive induction programme
* Excellent ongoing governor and education CPD, and opportunities to network with other schools and governors across the Trust
* Friendly and supportive environment, where everyone is committed to a Work/Volunteer/Life Balance
* Access to Trust resources and materials to support governance
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early should we receive a significant number of applications.
About Willow Brook Primary School
Willow Brook Primary School currently has 198 pupils ranging from 3 – 11 years. At Willow Brook we ensure every child receives a well-rounded education, develops a lifelong love of learning and achieves their best. Our latest Ofsted Report (Nov 2022) recognised that children in Nursery and Reception classes are immersed in language. We are at the heart of the local community, to find out more visit our website here.
To discover what makes Willow Brook so incredible, please arrange a visit by contacting the school office on or email -
Safeguarding
TKAT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Offers of employment will be subject to the full safer recruitment process, including an enhanced disclosure and barring service check.
Flexible working
TKAT recognises the value of enabling our employees to develop their career and balance this with their commitments and interests outside of work. In TKAT we promote flexible working practices and opportunities to promote a positive work life balance.
Our Commitment - Equal, Inclusive, Diverse
TKAT is committed to inclusion, diversity and equality of opportunity by encouraging and welcoming differences, listening to individual experiences, aspirations and accomplishments and learning how to grow better together. We welcome applications from all suitable candidates, regardless of any protected characteristic.
Access to interview
Be Who You Are at TKAT - should you be selected and invited to interview please let us know if you require us to adapt the recruitment process to enable you to participate as your authentic self. We want applicants to be able to engage with us in ways that support who they are and we are committed to making adjustments within the recruitment process and within the workplace.