Welcome to the AGBIS Governor Vacancies Board
This board is for our member schools to advertise any governor vacancies they have. If you are an AGBIS member school and would like to advertise your vacancy on this Board please get in touch on [email protected] and we will support you.
We also have a Clerk Vacancies Board, which you can view here.
There are currently vacancies in the following Schools:
- Palmers Green High School & Nursery
- West Buckland School
- St Martin's School
- Sir William Perkins's School
- St Mary's School, Colchester
- Highgate
- St George's School, Windsor
- Mount Kelly
- Walthamstow Hall
- Our Lady's Preparatory School
- Holme Grange School
- King's Ely
- Worth School
Please use the links above or scroll down to view details of the current vacancies and how to apply:
Palmers Green High School & Nursery
Vacancy: Multiple Governors
Location: North London
Description: Palmers Green High School is looking to recruit new Governors and is keen to hear from individuals who are interested in helping to guide the strategic direction of the school.
Palmers Green High School is an independent day school for girls aged 4-16. The school is a registered charity and company limited by guarantee, so Governors are also Trustees of the charity and Directors of the company. The Board of Governors currently comprises 11 Governors with a range of backgrounds and professional experience and includes former pupils. The Governing Body dedicates key strategic areas to sub-committees responsible for Education, Finance, Buildings, Risk and Health & Safety.
We would be particularly interested to hear from you if you have a background in Finance or Buildings/Estate Management, but this list is not exhaustive by any means. No previous governing experience is necessary and we would welcome expressions of interest in anyone interested in the education of young people.
All Governor roles are voluntary and subject to enhanced DBS and full clearance checks.
How to Apply: To learn more about the role of Governor at Palmers Green High School please contact Mrs Leonie Barnard, Bursar and Clerk to the Governors at [email protected].
Closing Date: On-going
Interviews: On-going
West Buckland Shool
Vacancy: Chair of Governors
Location: Barnstaple, Devon
Description: West Buckland School was founded in 1858 to bring education to rural families and it is these principles of inclusion and social mobility which are at the heart of the West Buckland ethos. We have a strong history of internationalism, attracting students from all over the world. We take pride in our multi-cultural community in which everyone feels like family, with life-long friendships being formed which span the globe. West Buckland strives to help all students to be the best they can be, offering equal rights and opportunities whilst respecting different strengths, abilities and interests.
The Board of Governors are looking to appoint a new Chairperson upon the retirement of the current Chair in 2025. The Chair’s role is to ensure that the governors work as an effective team to provide the best possible support to the School and oversee the delivery of the school’s strategy.
We encourage interest from individuals with a background in any sector, most likely with previous non-executive or executive board level experience. They must be highly supportive of the school’s Aims and Values with an appreciation of the current pressures facing independent schools. A commercial mind set would be beneficial as the school looks to consider future opportunities.
How to Apply: If you would like a further discussion on the role, in the first instance please contact the Bursar and Clerk to the Governors, Claire Candlish at [email protected]
St Martin's School
Vacancy: Multiple Governors particularly Finance and Legal
Location: Northwood, Middlesex
Description: St Martin’s School is looking to recruit new Governors and is keen to hear from individuals who are interested in helping to guide the strategic direction of the school.
St Martin’s is a Preparatory School for 400 boys aged 3 to 13 set in 12 acres of grounds in Northwood, Middlesex with extensive facilities.
St Martin’s offers a wide range of core and specialist teaching and are focussed on academic success and personal development with a strong emphasis on pastoral care. Our teachers are motivated, inspirational and creative. They are focused on bringing out the talents and abilities of each boy, fostering his strengths and stimulating his appetite for learning.
St Martin’s prepares boys for a large number of Independent Senior Schools which include Merchant Taylors’, Haberdashers’, Harrow, Westminster, Eton, St Albans, John Lyon and Aldenham Schools. The school has an excellent record in recent years of academic, sporting, music, DT and all-rounder scholarships.
The school is a registered charity and company limited by guarantee, so Governors are also Trustees of the charity and Directors of the company. The Board of Governors currently comprises 11 Governors with a range of backgrounds and professional experience and includes former pupils. The Governing Body delegates key strategic areas to sub-committees responsible for Teaching & Learning, Finance & Operations.
We would be particularly interested to hear from you if you have a background in Finance/Accounting or Law. No previous governing experience is necessary and we would welcome expressions of interest in anyone interested in the education of young people.
All Governor roles are voluntary and subject to enhanced DBS and full clearance checks.
How to Apply: To learn more about the role of Governor at St Martin’s School and to discuss the process of appointment please contact Mrs Alison Curran, Bursar and Clerk to the Governors at [email protected].
Closing Date: On-going
Interviews: On-going
Sir William Perkins's School
Vacancy: Governor with professional experience in property management, surveying, or a related field
Location: Chertsey, Surrey
Description: Sir William Perkins’s School is an academically selective school for girls aged 11 to 18 based in Chertsey, Surrey, where student wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do and our overarching belief is that happiness at school is central to academic success.
As we celebrate our 300th anniversary year in 2025, this is an exciting time of strategic development at SWPS. Having taken the decision to admit boys from 2026, subject to regulatory approval, the school is embarking on a move towards full coeducation.
We are now looking for an additional member of the Governing Body with professional experience in property management, surveying, or a related field to enhance our current skills set and bring a new area of expertise to the Board.
The role:
As a School Governor with property and surveying expertise you will:
- Work with the Head and Senior Leadership Team to develop the strategy and direction of the School.
- Provide strategic advice on the maintenance, development, and improvement of school facilities.
- Support the long-term planning of school estates to meet the needs of students and staff
- Ensure that Governance of the School is effective, appropriate, and within the legal and regulatory framework of the independent education sector.
- Ensure sound financial management and investment.
- Provide support to the Head and Leadership Team while being prepared to challenge and question.
- Help oversee compliance with health and safety regulations and building standards.
Governors are expected to attend around three Governor Board meetings per year and, three Estates subcommittee meetings. These are generally held at the school, but on occasion via Teams. Governors should read thoroughly all supporting documentation and be familiar with the School’s ethos and policies. Mandatory training in areas such as Safeguarding and Compliance is required on joining the Board and must be kept updated throughout a Governor’s tenure. Occasional attendance at events such as open mornings and awards presentations is required in order to establish familiarity with the School.
This is a highly rewarding, pro-bono opportunity to contribute to the success of a thriving School. The role would suit people who are passionate about education and have sufficient time to commit to the role.
How to Apply: Interested parties should send a CV and covering letter to: Adrian Durand-Deslongrais, Clerk to Governors Sir William Perkins’s School - [email protected]
St Mary's School, Colchester
Vacancy: Governor
Details: St Mary’s School has been educating girls from Colchester and the surrounding areas since 1908 and as such has built a very strong reputation within our local community. Throughout this time, the school has grown in size and is now located on two sites. The Senior School is close to the town centre whilst the Lower School and Kindergarten enjoy a more rural location.
St Mary’s is a happy and thriving school and we are proud of each and every one of our pupils. We are proud of our diverse student population, and we are passionate to create a team of staff and governors reflective of this diversity.
The Senior Leadership Team at St Mary’s is small, and the positive and collective vision of the team has ensured the success of the school. Throughout its 115-year history, St Mary’s has benefited from the support and guidance of a highly committed Governing Body, which works with the School’s Senior Leadership Team to ensure that St Mary’s continues to provide a high quality education and a happy learning environment.
The Board of Governors comprises a combination of professionals, business leaders, members of the local community, former students, and the parents of former students, all of whom bring individual skills, insights, and experience.
St Mary’s is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All candidates must be willing to undergo child protection screening. All Governor roles are voluntary and subject to an enhanced DBS check.
How to Apply: If you are interested in joining the Governing Body, please contact our Clerk to the Governors, Molly Terry: [email protected]
Highgate
Vacancy: Associate Member to the Governing Body
Location: Highgate, North London
Closing Date: 7 March 2025
Description: Founded over 450 years ago, Highgate is one of the UK’s leading co-educational independent schools. Highgate is a place for learning and scholarship where we:
- Develop learning as an end in itself and as a way of living
- Are ambitious about what and how our pupils learn
- Cultivate confidence, creativity and risk-taking in our pupils as they study, in preparation for higher education and the world of work
- Value and promote different intelligences
We do this by being rigorous, engaged and learned as teachers; by recognising the distorting effect of exams; by promoting independence, buzz, aspiration and collaboration; by encouraging pupils to seek enjoyment in challenge and fun in their learning.
The role:
This is an opportunity to apply to serve as an Associate Member (Safeguarding) of the Highgate School Governing Body. The current membership of the Governing Body may be viewed here: https://www.highgateschool.org.uk/about/staff-and-governors/
While all Governors have individual and corporate responsibility for their duties, a number have lead responsibilities, and the specific responsibility of the Associate Member we are seeking is to support Safeguarding.
Following the recent retirement of an Associate Member who attended Safeguarding Committee meetings and supported the Safeguarding governor, the School is seeking to appoint a new Associate Member within the next few months.
Details of the responsibilities of the role may be viewed in the Job Description (JD Safeguarding Associate Member ). The term of office associated with this role is 5-years, however, there could be scope within that period for the Associate Member to transition to a role of Governor with Safeguarding Lead on the Governing Body.
There are generally four Safeguarding committee meetings each year (held remotely in the evenings and in term-time, usually starting at 5pm and lasting around 1-2 hours).
If you feel that you have experience which would be relevant to this role, please apply as described below.
To assist with our search, we have engaged Mrs Joanna Grant Peterkin. Joanna is a former Head of St George’s, Ascot and has worked with several independent schools on leadership appointments. She currently has responsibility for reporting on safeguarding as an external Visitor at a London college. Joanna knows Highgate well and she also knows the qualities and attributes required of an independent school governor/associate member and educational charity trustee.
Joanna will review all applications received and will recommend to the Governing Body a long list of applicants to be considered for interview.
The first round of interviews will take place during the week commencing 21 April 2025 with a second round taking place in the following week.
How to apply: The Associate Member role is voluntary and subject to an enhanced DBS and full clearance checks. To apply, please send a letter of interest together with a CV to [email protected] for the attention of Joanna Grant Peterkin.
If you do wish to submit your expression of interest via post, please address this to Joanna Grant Peterkin c/o Bursary, Highgate School North Road N6 4AY, marked “private and confidential”.
St George's School, Windsor
Vacancy: Governors
Location: Windsor
Description: The Board of Governors of St George’s School Windsor Castle is seeking to recruit new members to join us in the strategic leadership of this vibrant and diverse community. St George’s School, Windsor Castle, an IAPS school, is an integral part of the College of St George with close links with Windsor Castle, making the very most of our special location.
Our school has existed since 1348. Our long heritage of educating the Choristers of St George’s Chapel continues to be a core function of the school. Our school values of Kindness, Honesty and Courage, and our express aim to ensure our students are ‘Real World Ready’ form the very foundation of this successful and innovative Prep School for over 300 students aged 3 – 13. Our committed staff contribute hugely to the success, warmth and happiness of the school. In turn, a tremendous spirit of friendship, mutual trust and collaboration exists at St George’s.
Our Board seeks governors with a range of backgrounds and experiences, who can share their knowledge and expertise to support the School’s values and strategic aims. We would like to hear from you if you have:
- Time to contribute to the school
- Experience of strategic thinking
- An open and enquiring mind
- The ability to look at issues objectively
- A willingness to join in debate and to make informed judgements
Governors set the strategic vision, constructively challenging current processes and use their unique perspective to support senior leaders in a variety of ways. Governorship also represents an opportunity to develop additional professional leadership and collaboration skills, all while making a real impact on children’s education. Previous governance experience is not required as training will be made available. Experience in the following areas would be of particular interest:
- Safeguarding
- Finance and Accounting
- Estates & facilities
- HR
- Prep and primary education
Time commitment
It is expected that all Governors attend 3 Council meetings a year, one sub-committee each term and an annual strategy day. We encourage governors to visit the school to get to know the staff, understand the school and represent the board, particularly at key school events. Governors serve an initial term of 5 years with the option to serve a second 3 year term and, if desired, a final 2 year term.
Safeguarding
The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including Disclosure and Barring Service checks and other checks relevant to the role of Governor.
How to Apply: If you are interested in joining the Board at St George’s please send a brief CV and cover letter to the Clerk to Governors, Katie Chorley ([email protected]).
Mount Kelly
Vacancy: Governor with marketing expertise
Location: Tavistock, Devon
Description: Mount Kelly is a leading, all-around, co-educational boarding and day school for pupils aged 4-18, located on the edge of Dartmoor.
The Governing Body currently comprises 19 Governors with a range of backgrounds and professional expertise and includes alumni. The Governing Body delegates key strategic areas to sub-committees responsible for Education Standards, Finance & General Purposes, Governance, Health, Safety & Risk Management, Safeguarding and Strategy.
We are keen to hear from individuals with a background in marketing including digital. Previous governing experience would be beneficial but is not essential.
All Governor roles are voluntary and subject to enhanced DBS and full clearance checks.
For an exploratory discussion, please contact the Chair at [email protected].
How to apply: Please forward your CV and a covering letter to [email protected] indicating why you would like to join the Governing Body.
Walthamstow Hall
Vacancy: Chair of Governors
Location: Sevenoaks, Kent
Description: Walthamstow Hall is a thriving girls' day school. One of the oldest girls' schools in the country, and certainly the oldest in Kent, the School has a long track record of excellence placing it high within the UK's top 100 schools. Walthamstow Hall offers a Dynamic Education. This is a fun, grounded school of boundless opportunity and passionate teachers. Pupils are empowered to flourish in an inspiring environment that cares for the whole person.
The Board of Governors currently comprises 14 Governors with a range of backgrounds and professional experience. We are looking for a Chair of Governors to lead the Board in its responsibilities to ensure the highest possible standards of governance. They will work closely with the Headmistress and Senior Leadership Team to achieve the long-term success of the School. Previous governing experience would be beneficial.
How to Apply: All Governor roles are voluntary and subject to enhanced DBS and full clearance checks. Please get in touch with the Bursar Mrs Elizabeth Walsh at [email protected] in the first instance and a brochure and application form will be provided.
Our Lady’s Preparatory School
Vacancy: Multiple Governors
Location: Crowthorne, Berkshire
Description: Our Lady’s Preparatory School is looking to recruit a number of Trustees to add to our current governing body of five. Of particular interest are candidates with commercial and financial experience, and those with a background in early years learning, but the primary requirement is for Trustees with the energy and skills to contribute to the strategic direction of this values driven School.
Our Lady’s is a charitable incorporated organisation, which accepts children in its Nursery from the age of three months, and its Preparatory School from the age of five. The Nursery currently accommodates some 120 children, and there are a further 130 children in the School where they are able to remain until the age of eleven. As a Catholic school our mission is to provide an inclusive, faith-based learning environment where, all year round, we build community and aim to prepare our children for life in the 21st century.
We offer a broad, balanced and enhanced curriculum. We believe that every child should be challenged to achieve their full potential in an atmosphere of care and concern for their well-being, seeking at the same time to foster in children a curiosity and a real enjoyment of lifelong learning. This approach was recognised by our most recent ISI Inspection of the School in which we were assessed as good in academic achievement, and excellent in pupils’ pastoral care and well-being. Likewise, our Nursery was assessed as good in all areas, offering good teaching and excellent additional, targeted support
How to apply: To learn more about the Trustee role at Our Lady’s please contact our Chair of Trustees, Mr Matthew Ware at [email protected] using the subject “Trustee Application”.
Holme Grange School
Vacancy: Multiple governors
Location: Wokingham, Berkshire
Description: Holme Grange School is seeking to augment its governance by recruiting new Board members.
Throughout our 80-year history Holme Grange has benefitted from a Governing Body which works with the Senior Leadership Team to ensure we provide a high quality education in an authentic, ambitious, courageous learning community. Holme Grange is an all-through school for 750 children aged 2 to 16 set in over 21 acres of idyllic grounds in Wokingham, Berkshire.
The School is a registered charity and company limited by guarantee, so Governors are both Trustees of the charity and Directors of the company. The Board of Governors comprises a combination of professionals, business leaders, members of the local community, all of whom bring individual skills, insights, and experience.
There are currently eight Governors. The Board delegates key strategic areas to subcommittees responsible for Finance, Administration and Estates, and Education and Welfare.
Previous Board experience in education or other sectors is not necessary but would be beneficial. We are particularly interested to hear from those with experience in finance or accounting, law or business management.
How to Apply: If you are able to offer your expertise or know of someone who may be interested in the role, please contact our Clerk to the Governors, Mr Anthony Cook, via email [email protected]
Holme Grange is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All candidates must be willing to undergo child protection screening.
King’s Ely
Vacancy: Two Governors: Finance Governor and Information Technology Governor.
Location: Ely, Cambridgeshire
Description: King’s Ely can trace its origins from at least 970AD, making it one of the oldest schools in Europe. Originally a monastic foundation, today it is a thriving independent day and boarding school for around 1000 boys and girls aged from 2-18. The School is subdivided into four sections: King’s Ely Senior (age 13-18) and King’s Ely Prep (age 7-13), which occupy adjacent campuses and shared facilities, King’s Ely Acremont and Nursery (ages 2-6) and Fairstead House including Fairstead House Nursery which is in NewmarketHpusde .
The expectation is that Governors will attend all Board meetings (usually four per year), including any Strategy Day, and the meetings of any Committees of which they are a member. In addition, Governors are expected to attend Governor and other relevant training as well as visit the School on a regular basis and spend time reading around issues of governance and education.
It is anticipated that a Governor commitment will be between 12 and 16 days per year. Governors who are the Chair or Vice Chair of the Board or a Chair of a Committee are likely to spend more time to meet their governance duties.
All Governor roles are voluntary and subject to enhanced DBS and full clearance checks.
As Finance Governor we are looking for someone with senior leadership experience in a large organisation with commercial and financial accountability or finance management, and degree level or professional financial qualification or equivalent in Finance Management or business.
As Information Technology Governor we are looking for someone to provide oversight, monitoring and guidance of the School’s IT infrastructure and services plans to ensure that these support the School’s Strategic Development Plan, and day-to-day operations.
If you are interested in this opportunity, please do visit our website to find further information.
How to apply: Expressions of interest are welcome, consisting of a covering letter and CV to Dr Roger Axworthy, Clerk to the Governors at [email protected].
Worth School
Vacancy: Governor
Location: West Sussex
Description: As Trustees and Company Directors, the Governors have ultimate responsibility for the School. The Board of Governors plays a crucial role in the School's ongoing success, acting as a 'critical friend' in support of the Head Master and Senior Leadership Team. The Board and its Subcommittees offer the School a critical framework to ensure good decision making and regulatory compliance at every level of its operations.
The School Governors help to set the School’s vision and strategic aims, agree plans and policies, and encourage the creative use of resources.
The Board monitors and evaluates performance, and ensures that the School is accountable to the pupils and parents it serves, as well as to the staff it employs, and it oversees the financial performance of the School to ensure that money is well spent. All of this ensures that Worth is a great school for its pupils.
The normal term of service for a Governor is three years, and Worth is now looking to recruit new governors to the Board to replace those whose term is coming to an end.
We are interested to recruit people from a wide range of professional backgrounds. At this time, we are especially interested in applications from those who have relevant financial and safeguarding experience.
Governors’ Responsibilities as Trustees and Directors
· Charity’s assets used only for charity’s purposes
· Act with integrity, objectively and honesty
· Exercise independent judgment
· Act collectively
· Ensure good governance
· Safeguard assets and ensure solvency
· Set the policy and direction
· Oversee implementation and compliance
· Responsible for safeguarding
· Duty to protect reputation
· Ensure that the school maintains the highest standard of health and safety for all
We are committed to the safeguarding of children, all those working at Worth must have the ability to understand and adhere to Child Protection and Safeguarding legislation. The role holders safeguarding responsibilities are set out in the job description. References may be taken prior to interview and DBS and other vetting checks will be conducted on the successful applicant.
This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020. The amendments to the ROA 1974 (Exceptions Order 1975, (2013 and 2020)) provide that when applying for certain jobs and activities, certain spent convictions and cautions are ‘protected’, so they do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. The MOJ’s guidance on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Exceptions Order 1975, provides information about which convictions must be declared during job applications and related exceptions and further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS filtering guide.
Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 Section 7(1)(a) states that it is an offence to apply for the role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children.
How to Apply: If you are interested in applying to become a Governor at Worth from September 2025, please send a covering letter and CV addressed to the Chair of Governors, Mr Jeremy Fletcher, via email to the Clerk to Governors, Miss Johanna Williams, at [email protected]