FE Governor

SGOSS - Governors for Schools; Weymouth; On-site; GBP 100,000 - GBP 125,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Weymouth is seeking three new governors to join the board. Responsibilities include providing strategic leadership, ensuring compliance, and improving educational outcomes for learners. Ideal candidates will have experience in FE curriculum, governance, and land management. Volunteering offers personal career development and the chance to make a meaningful impact in education.

Benefits

Meaningful community involvement

Personal career development opportunities

Qualifications

• Applicants with FE sector experience and a strong understanding of quality and standards are sought.
• Experience in corporate or public sector governance is welcome.
• Previous governance experience in education is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership ensuring compliance and sustainability.
• Contribute to outcomes for learners.
• Join committees relevant to skills and experience.

Skills

FE curriculum and student data

Farm, land-based and livestock management

Governance and assurance

Job description

Overview

Weymouth and Kingston Maurward College is based across two campuses, with differing provision across academic, vocational and land-based courses, ranging from agriculture and animal care to construction and creative arts. The college contributes to the local community and economy by developing successful partnerships to ensure students acquire the skills needed. The two legacy colleges merged in August 2024, and the corporation board are supporting the continuing integration and further strategic progression following the merger.

With a 2025 Ofsted rating of ‘Good’, the College has a strong contribution to regional skills needs and supports learners through career‑focussed, hands-on learning. Facilities include an animal park, restaurant, hair and beauty salon and children’s nursery.

In the short-to-medium term, new governors will join the corporation board in strategic planning relating to the newly merged college status, with opportunities to offer new experiences to students and widen horizons in an area with high deprivation. Fostering resilience and helping learners be ready for the world of work are key aspects of the College’s purpose. Harmonisation and systems development projects are underway as part of the merger. In the longer term, the board will focus on further strategic change to support learners and the local context.

Weymouth and Kingston Maurward College has a turnover of circa £27m, employs 683 staff and has over 3,100 learners in total. The College is seeking individuals who want to make an impact in a large learning environment.

The College’s requirements

The College Corporation board at Weymouth and Kingston Maurward College is seeking three new governors with the following skills and experience:

• FE curriculum and student data
• Farm, land-based and livestock management
• Governance and assurance

Applicants with FE sector experience and a strong understanding of quality and standards are sought. The successful candidate will ideally bring FE experience and be confident reframing this with a governance outlook. Farm management experience is sought for the large rural farm and Kingston Maurward campus, with experience in livestock and estates management. A logical, analytical approach with a good governance understanding is required; experience in corporate or public sector governance is also welcome.

The Corporation offers an induction programme and buddy scheme for new governors and will provide development support beyond essential skills. Candidates passionate about improving education outcomes in a rural context are encouraged to apply. Previous governance experience in education is desirable; experience in change management and HR functions will support strategic aims.

Time commitment and meeting schedule

On average, governors commit about two days a month to the role, including meetings, preparation, committee involvement and site visits. The board currently estimates at least two days per month. Typical meetings include six Full Governing Body (FGB) meetings per year and each committee meeting at least three times per year, plus a strategic planning and governors’ development day annually. All meetings take place at Weymouth College, DT4 7LQ or Kingston Maurward, Dorchester, DT2 8PY. From time to time committee meetings may be remote, but FGB attendance in person is necessary.

Meeting dates and times are reviewed annually. Currently, FGB meetings are on Mondays at 4pm. A full board strategy day in November and a spring term governor training and development day also occur. Each candidate will join one or more committees relevant to their skills and experience. The following committee schedule applies:

• Finance & Resources – Monday 2pm
• Audit & Risk – Wednesday 2pm
• Search, Governance & Remuneration – Tuesday 2pm
• Quality & Student – Monday 2pm
• Estates – Tuesday 4pm

What does the role include?

Governors work together as a board to provide strategic leadership, ensuring the College Corporation or company remains legally compliant, financially sustainable and capable of delivering value for public funds. FE College Corporations/companies operate as independent charitable institutions, with governors acting as charity trustees and the governing board accountable for overall performance. The principal regulator is the Secretary of State for Education; the Department for Education (DfE) works with the FE Commissioner and sector stakeholders for governance regulation and support. Where needed, support is provided by the Commissioner’s advisers and National Leaders of Governance for FE. For further information on governance, refer to the FE governor resources linked within this description.

What are the benefits?

Volunteering on a College Corporation board is a meaningful way to shape learners’ lives and strengthen education in the local community. Governors help set strategic direction and hold executives to account, contributing to outcomes for learners. This is also an opportunity for personal career development and giving back to education.

Further information

You can also find public information about the College on the Get Information About Schools page: https://get-information-schools.service.gov.uk/Establishments/Establishment/Details/130653. The College reference number is 130653. After applying, you can access free eLearning, An Introduction to Further Education Governance, at: https://governorsforschools.org.uk/fe/the-role-of-a-further-education-governor/. The Department for Education has governance guidance for FE settings at: https://governorsforschools.org.uk/fe/recommended-fe-reading/. For questions, please contact the FE Recruitment Team at [e-mail].