Lark Hill RoadPrestonLancashirePR1 4HD

Tel: 01772 460181/077Fax: 01772 204671Email: hr@cardinalnewman.ac.ukWeb: www.cardinalnewman.ac.uk

Dear Applicant

We are delighted that you are considering completing an application for the post of Clerk to the Governing Body to take up post as soon as possible thereafter.

Cardinal Newman is a wonderful place to start (or to continue) your career and we welcome applications from persons who are suitably qualified and experienced and keen to support the work of the governing body in an outstanding institution. We are a distinctive Catholic Sixth Form College, which welcomes colleagues and students of all faiths, and which has a real feeling of community and it is a happy, thriving and highly successful College.

At Cardinal Newman College we are committed to the development of the whole person and we value each student as an individual with a unique mix of skills and talents. Our students achieve outstanding results placing the College at the top of the performance tables out of over 400 Colleges nationally for the last four years. We were awarded Beacon Status in 2010 and the College enjoyed an ‘outstanding’ Inspection in May 2009. However, we are as proud of our students’ social, cultural and spiritual achievements as we are of their outstanding exam results.

We have a fabulous team of governors who give up an extraordinary amount of time to voluntarily support the college, the staff and students. The dedication they exhibit contributes to what makes our College so successful. If you meet the criteria of the post advertised and feel that you would enjoy working here, we hope you will make an application to join us.

Completed application forms should be returned to the Chair of the Governing Body c/o Human Resources Department (via email to hr@cardinalnewman.ac.uk or post) by noon on Monday, 11th January 2016. Interviews will take place on Tuesday, 26th January 2016. We do ask that you accept, in the interests of economy, that if you have not heard from us by the interview date that you will not have been selected for interview on this occasion.

We will confirm receipt of all applications by email within one working day of receipt. If you have not received a confirmation email by the closing date or if you have any questions which are not covered in the enclosed information please do not hesitate to contact the Human Resources Department.

Yours faithfully

Richard AinscoughChair of Governing Body

Mission Statement

As a Catholic Sixth Form College we strive to be a centre of educational excellence for the community built on faith, respect and trust. We celebrate diversity amongst all out students and

staff and seek to nurture the gifts of each individual through high quality teaching and learning and dedicated pastoral care.

Values Statement

Cardinal Newman College is a community which aims to live out the gospel values of service and love. This means that:

The individual student is central to all our endeavours

The College values each individual as a unique person irrespective of gender, race, belief or ability and regards each person, made in the image and likeness of God, as worthy of the utmost respect

The College strives to develop each person intellectually, socially and spiritually through an inclusive programme of study and enrichment

The College values the spiritual journey of each individual and will offer opportunities for each to engage appropriately in their spiritual search

The College is committed to creating a culture that is open and welcoming, free from fear and from violence of any kind, in which all individuals feel safe, happy and secure

The College provides learning environments that are stimulating, enjoyable and challenging to students, fostering their creativity, imagination and search for truth

The College encourages individuals to contribute positively to the world in which they live, to challenge injustice and to seek out more co-operative, just and peaceful forms of human existence.

CLERK TO THE GOVERNING BODY

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Purpose:

To support the College’s Catholic mission and values

To promote effective Governance

To guide the Governing Body to ensure that the College’s mission and values are clearly demonstrated through its work and decisions.

To guide the Governing Body in its application of the Instrument and Articles of Government for Roman Catholic Sixth Form Colleges.

To guide the Governing Body in the appreciation of the ethical issues in the conduct of public life, especially as they apply to a Sixth Form College.

To ensure that Governors’ proceedings are conducted in accordance with:

- the provisions of the statutory Instrument and Articles of Government- rules and regulations made under the Articles- the Education Acts (as modified or replaced from time to time)- other relevant law

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Meetings

To work with the Chair and Principal to ensure:

(i) The planning of the forward programme of meetings and the business to be taken to each of these.

(ii) The preparation of the agenda for each meeting of the full Board and its Committees, the assembling of the necessary supporting papers, and the collation and distribution of these.

To summon and attend meetings of the full Governing Body, its Committees and any ad hoc panels or sub groups.

To check the quorum of meetings and advise Governors accordingly.

To minute all meetings of the full Governing Body and its Committees, ensuring that the draft minutes are issued on a timely basis.

To act as teller in the case of votes during meetings.

To ensure accurate minutes of meetings of the full Governing Body are kept and are displayed appropriately on the College web site.

To monitor the outcomes of meetings of Governors’ Committees and ensure that matters are referred to other committees, the main Board or the College Management Team where appropriate.

To ensure that outstanding business is identified and drawn to the attention of Governors.

To prepare, for approval by the Governing Body, Standing Orders and Committee Terms of Reference for the conduct of business and to keep these documents under review.

To ensure the arrangements are made and minutes taken of the annual Governors’ Strategic Planning Day.

2. Promoting Effective Governance:

To provide independent advice on statutory and constitutional matters to ensure the governance best practice is upheld.

To seek professional advice from appropriate sources on legal and procedural matters when required by the Governing Body collectively and Governors individually.

To act as a reference point for enquiries relating to the Governing Body, being the correspondent and responding to all matters.

To ensure the availability of documents in accordance with policy determined by the Governing Body.

To keep up to date in the developments in effective governance and the Instrument and Articles of Government.

To keep under review changes and developments in relevant legislation.

To take appropriate (and, if necessary, independent) action if the Governing Body, the Chair or a Governors’ Committee member appears to be at risk of acting beyond its powers or unlawfully.

To maintain a record of membership of the Governing Body and the attendance of Governors at meetings and to arrange elections.

To co-ordinate and monitor all appointments to the Governing Body and its Committees, ensuring that the appointments have been made in accordance with legal and other guidelines.

To provide advice on the skills mix, expertise and background of persons needing to make up an effective governing body which reflects the local community.

To arrange Governors’ induction and training.

To maintain a register of Governors’ interests.

To facilitate and contribute to the self-assessment and development planning of all aspects of governance.

To ensure all Governors are advised of agreed procedures for expense claims.

3. Administration

To undertake all administration relating to governance.

4. General

To co-ordinate arrangements for Governors’ evidence and involvement during inspection and audit as and when required.

To promote inclusivity and widening participation by contributing to the achievement and implementation of the Colleges’ Equality and Diversity Policy.

To encourage and support the effective safeguarding of students.

To take reasonable care for the health and safety of himself/herself and persons who may be affected by his/her actions or omissions at work.

To undertake any additional responsibilities and duties, commensurate with the post as requested by the Chair of the Governing Body.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

CLERK TO THE GOVERNING BODY

Attribute Essential Desirable How Identified

1. Qualifications Have a recognised degree or equivalent and / or relevant professional experience

Certificate in FE Governance Application form

2. Experience Experience of servicing meetings A working knowledge of legislation affecting governance

Experience of working in an FE/Sixth Form College

Experience of undertaking the duties of Clerk to the Governing Body

Application form Selection Process References

3. Knowledge/Skills

A commitment to the Mission and Values Statement Good IT skills, especially MS Office (word processing and

spreadsheets) Effective oral and written communication skills Ability to analyse and present information clearly and

concisely The ability to analyse and solve problems and present

solutions An ability to meet deadlines and to organise work in an

efficient and effective manner An appreciation of the ethical issues facing those in public life,

especially as they apply within a Catholic sixth form college An ability to recognise and respect confidential and/or

sensitive information Excellent interpersonal skills

Application form Selection Process References

Keen attention to detail Competent writing skills, including proof reading Excellent organisation Ability to work to tight and changing deadlines

4. Personal Skills/Attitudes

Display a commitment to the ethos of the College and Equal Opportunities and Safeguarding

Have eligibility to work in the UK. Have Disclosure and Barring Service clearance and Medical

Clearance (following appointment). Ability to provide two professional references which at

deemed satisfactory to the Principal Have a high level of communication/interpersonal skills. Flexibility to work days and evenings Team player with self-motivation Ability to work without supervision and at times with

competing demands Problem Solving The ability to work in a methodical manner, comfortable in

prioritising workload and meeting deadlines Clear communication skills

Practicing Catholic Selection Process References

SUMMARY OF MAIN TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Designation This is a designated senior post, accountable to the Governing Body

Salary the post will be paid at £18,000 per annum (pro rata to £45,000)

Payment of salary Salary will be paid by BACs transfer into your bank account on the last banking day of the month (except at Christmas when

payment is made before the holiday)Pension Scheme You will automatically become a member of the Local

Government Pension Scheme (unless you elect to opt-out). Further details are available at

https://www.yourpensionservice.org.uk/

Working Hours Annualised hours of 770 per annum (equivalent to 2 days/14.8 hours per week) throughout the year to be worked flexibly, including regular evening work during term time.

Please note that hours of work (and pro rata pay) are negotiable.

Holidays Holiday entitlement is pro rata to 22 days annual leave plus 8 statutory and 4 concessionary days. After 5 years’ continuous services the annual leave entitlement increases to pro rata to

25 days annual leave.DBS Clearance This post requires Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service

clearance as well as a range of other safer recruitment checks.

About Cardinal Newman College

Cardinal Newman College is a Catholic Sixth Form College in the centre of the City of Preston. The College’s core activity is the provision of courses and learning opportunities for full time 16 – 18 learners, with courses offered during 2014/15 at Level 3 (95% of students studying at AS, A2, and BTEC), Level 2 (3% studying BTEC and GCSE), and an Essential Skills course for 44 young people with specific learning needs. At the start of the present academic year (2015/16), the college had 3,229 full time 16-18 learners on roll. In addition to the 16-18 provision, (which accounts for about 99% at the College), the College offers a limited range of part time courses for approximately 78 adults within Skills for Life (ESOL).

Cardinal Newman College is the post-16 provider for the Newman Partnership, a working group consisting of the College and ten Catholic Partner High Schools. The location of these schools demonstrates the wide area from which the College draws a significant proportion of its full time 16–18 learners. Because of its distinctive ethos, its reputation, the levels of achievement, the support the College offers students and its provision of high quality courses, Cardinal Newman College is also an attractive option for learners who attend other high schools in Preston and the surrounding area. Year-on-year applications from these schools have increased significantly. A cultural and spiritual diversity has developed that has been of immense benefit to all of its learners, and to the local community.

An Outstanding College

The college has been at the top of the DfE League Tables for points per student for 3 years running and the last Ofsted Inspection in the summer of 2009 graded all areas as ‘outstanding’. It confirmed that there is a culture of high expectations and rigorous quality improvement in all areas. Standards, expectations and processes have continued to improve since then. Students achieve well above their (high) target grades and make a positive contribution to the College and its wider community. Student attendance and behaviour are exemplary, illustrating that the Catholic mission and ethos of the College is lived out at all levels.

Value added measured by ALPS places the college in the top 1% nationally and success rates are well above national benchmarks. Every year over three quarters of the college’s students progress to Higher Education with many going on to the most prestigious institutions and courses.

Students study in a purposeful and diverse environment with a strong focus on respect in which every learner genuinely does matter. The team of specialist RE teachers live out the college’s commitment to ‘valuing the spiritual journey of each individual and offering opportunities for each to engage appropriately in their spiritual search’.

Our Community

Links with the local and Catholic partner high schools are very strong. The Principal meets regularly with Head Teachers and the Newman Partnership heads meet to discuss and share

a wide range of curriculum, pastoral and strategic issues. Relationships with college trustees, and with the Diocese of Lancaster are maintained through the foundation governors.

The College has outstanding links with its local and wider community and learners and staff fully contribute to this. Students at the College are continually seeking to engage in volunteer work within the community. The most recent example of this is demonstrated in college plans to deliver the Community Sports Leadership Award at the St Augustine’s Centre. Other voluntary work is continued in the local community by the CAFOD Group, Essential Skills, Health and Social Care, the Medical Society and Chaplaincy. The curriculum departments also contribute widely to the links with local community groups, charities and local primary schools.

As a Catholic Sixth Form College we strive to be a centre of educational excellence for the community built on faith, respect and trust. We celebrate diversity amongst all our students and staff and seek to nurture the gifts of each individual through high quality teaching and learning and dedicated pastoral care.

College Buildings and Facilities

Over the past seven years the College has embarked on an extensive Property Strategy, which has included four new buildings, building extensions and a complete refurbishment of existing buildings. ensuring our students benefit from state of the art facilities. St Augustine building hosts a variety of newly renovated classrooms for Health & Social Care, drama /dance, ESOL, HE and includes studios as well as a large sports and activity hall. At the St James Art and Design Centre students work within a unique and creative atmosphere, totally dedicated to Art & Design. Our Science subjects are taught within the purpose built St Mary’s building. The building was refurbished in 2015 and subjects now include Travel and Tourism, RS & Philosophy. Law and BTEC classes. The St Cecilia building houses our Music Academy, Language courses (including laboratories and IT suites), English, Media, Film, Communication & Culture courses as well as our RE department. Along with classrooms and facilities for these subjects, there is also a TV studio, fully equipped photography studios, music practice rooms, recording suites and performance studio. The St Bede building is centered on a Georgian Mansion that sits within stunning grounds, which include a lake and wooded areas, with pathways and picnic areas. Lessons taught include History, Politics and Geography. There are also tutor classes, offices for support staff and student social space made up of catering outlets and a main terrace catering facility. The St Wilfrids building delivers lessons for Business, ICT, Phycology, Drama and has Lecture theatres for large performance and presentations. The St Francis building has been a fabulous addition to the College facilities and opened for lessons in September 2015. Subjects taught in this building include Math’s, Sociology and there is a costa coffee / study area on the ground floor. A newly built Pavilion with six state of the art changing rooms has enhanced our excellent academy football pitches at Factory Lane, Penwortham. The facility is to the south of Preston and is 2.7 miles from the main campus.

Staff at Cardinal Newman College

Cardinal Newman College has achieved its success through the hard work, skills, attitude and commitment of its circa 270 staff. We wish to work in an inclusive and transparent style of management that is open, consultative and encourages all staff to participate in the leadership and management of the college. The development of staff’s skills is a priority for the college and teams are encouraged to innovate and continuously improve Cardinal Newman’s curricular and pastoral offer to its students.

What our students say about Cardinal Newman College

I chose Newman because it gave me the opportunity to be inventive and take part in the student council. My favourite thing about college is all of the people you meet (there are lots of smiling faces) and it is a great place to learn – I will definitely miss it when I am gone! Next year I hope to study Neuroscience in Manchester.

Lauren O’Brien: Broughton - Studying A Levels in Biology, Chemistry, Psychology, German, General Studies, Critical Thinking

I chose Newman because of its welcoming atmosphere and friendly people. I would definitely recommend Newman to school leavers, the quality of teaching is brilliant and there are loads of things to do, I am a member of the choir and

I have taken part in lots of trips and visits. I hope to get into music production in the future.

Jack Caldwell: All Hallows - Studying A Levels in Music Technology, Maths, Physics, Business Studies

Newman is a place that consistently strives to improve itself, its got modern facilities, brilliant study support and dedicated staff. Plus it’s the only college in the area that allows you can mix BTEC and A Level courses. I hope to go on to university and then qualify to be a PE teacher.

Ashlyn Tarney: Christ the King - Studying A Levels in English Language & Literature, BTEC Sport

I liked Newman’s atmosphere, friendly staff and excellent facilities. I am now hoping to study Law and Criminology at university next year.

Sajeda Alli: Penwortham Girls’ - Studying A Levels in German, Psychology, Law, Business Studies

Newman gives you the freedom to express yourself, the teachers always support your dreams and you meet people with similar aspirations. Everyone is so helpful and encouraging, you feel like part of a family! After college I plan to take a gap year and then audition for a place at drama school.

Tara McKenzie: St Bede’s, Lytham - Studying A Levels in Drama & Theatre Studies, English Language, Digital Photography, Textiles

Whilst at Newman, I have been on two German exchanges and a History trip to Russia. I chose to come here because of Newman’s fantastic reputation for Modern Foreign Languages and its great atmosphere. There’s a brilliant choice of social activities and academic groups to take part in. I know that if I ever have a problem, my teachers are always willing to help! I now hope to study Languages at Royal Holloway University and then become an Interpreter.

Peter Holmes: Holy Cross - Studying A Levels in French, German, Italian, Spanish, History

Newman’s Football Academy really impressed me along with the college’s reputation for academic excellence and sporting opportunities. Next year, I am going to Florida to complete a football scholarship!

Luke Jenner: Archbishop Temple - Studying A Levels in Sport, Psychology, Geography, Maths

Newman is not just a college, it is a fantastic community. It doesn’t matter what music you like or how popular you were at school, everyone is equal! I would encourage anyone to study English Literature at college, the trip to Stratford to watch Shakespeare’s The Tempest was an amazing experience. After college, I am hoping to pursue a career in the Ministry of Defence.

Alex Walsh: Holy Cross -Studying A Levels in History, English Literature, Law, Dance