Join the governing body ('the Corporation') of Ealing, Hammersmith and West London College to determine strategy and monitor performance of a further education college with a mission of aiming high and changing lives.
West London College is a further education college with three centres located in Ealing, Hammersmith and Southall. For nearly 150 years, we have been providing training and development in the area, helping over 10,000 students achieve their career goals each year. The College has a governing body ('the Corporation') made up principally of governors appointed from outside the College to take legal responsibility for the College and make key decisions about how it is run.
Governors are individuals with broad skills and experience drawn from local communities and businesses, as well as from the public sector. The Board also includes staff members, student governors and the College’s CEO. The CEO (the only executive member on the Board) is responsible for the operational running of Ealing, Hammersmith and West London College (EHWLC).
The Board is advised by a Director of Governance, a professional independent of college management who accesses independent professional advice. The CEO and Board are also supported by a ‘senior leadership team’ with educational, financial and other relevant expertise. The Board, CEO and leadership team work together to set and implement college strategy and to be responsible stewards of the college’s assets.
The College has adopted the Education and Training Foundation's competency framework for governors and uses it for recruitment and performance purposes. Prospective governors should be able to evidence the majority of the Leadership and Values/Behaviours below. Developing expertise across the Technical elements will be supported by College staff and through participation in relevant training and development opportunities, for example via the Association of Colleges.
Governors will typically come to the College with a specific area of professional expertise. They need not be experienced in all of the areas highlighted.
Leadership
Values/Behaviours
Technical
Governors bring their professional experience and personal attributes to bear in support of the college’s educational mission. The Board includes a wide range of experiences and professional backgrounds. It is not necessary to have worked in an educational setting in order to serve as a college governor – indeed, the college benefits from outside perspectives just as much as experience from other schools, universities and colleges.
What we expect is a commitment to the mission, vision and values of West London College, a willingness to make a full contribution and the ability to devote the time required to make that a reality. Taking into account preparing for and attending formal meetings, visiting the colleges, and attending training and networking events, this is likely to be around 6-10 hours per month. Formal meetings are a combination of in-person and online events.
You will add value by applying your professional skills and external perspective to ensure that the College meets the challenges of its external environment with a broad perspective.
Please express your interest via Reach in the first instance. Candidates whose applications meet the College's requirements will be invited to have an informal conversation to explore the opportunity in greater detail. Please note that all appointments are made formally by the Board on the recommendation of the Search & Governance Committee, and that you must be willing to undergo referencing, safeguarding checks and other mandatory training prior to an appointment being made.
