Latest DfE report shows clerks are undervalued. More support needs to be given to this important role, ICSA states

London, 7 October 2020 – The clerking role is not given the weight it deserves because the term ‘clerk’ does not reflect the important governance work that they do, according to ICSA: The Chartered Governance Institute. The term ‘governance professional’ better reflects the important advisory and supporting role that they play and the DfE should introduce the mandatory requirement in law for academy trusts above a certain threshold to employ a qualified governance professional. Furthermore, the DfE should provide guidance to ensure the remuneration of a governance professional reflects the level of responsibility required to support the board with its many legal, regulatory, educational and ethical requirements. 

Commenting on the report findings, Louise Thomson, Head of Policy (Not for Profit) at the Institute says:

“We note that many of the governance challenges facing schools are similar to those in other sectors – skills (especially financial), recruitment (reliance on word of mouth), lack of succession planning and difficulties with establishing appropriate governance arrangements for group structures (such as MATs). 

“A governing body or board that values the skills, experience and knowledge of a suitably qualified governance professional would recognise that the clerk as the school or trust’s governance professional could add significant value to these traditional governance challenges. 

“There needs to be a change in mindset about the role and function of the governance professional – it starts with changing the language used and moving away from the term ‘clerk’. The role now requires so much more than simply supporting the meetings of the board/governing body. It encapsulates legal, regulatory, strategic and ethical guidance and support. A chair with an experienced governance professional will attest to the value the role adds not just to the performance of the chair, but to the whole organisation[i]. 

“In our white paper – The virtuous circle of good charity governance – we demonstrate the intrinsic value of good governance. That value needs to be curated by an experienced and qualified governance professional to maximise impact for the good of wider society. As such we would urge the DfE to consider three measures to improve the sector’s governance and contribution to pupils and the communities they serve: 

a)    replace the term ‘clerk’ with one that better reflects the role for those advising and supporting the board in more complex schools arrangements such as academy trusts (alternatives include governance professional, company or charity secretary, head/director of governance); 

b)    introduce the mandatory requirement (in law rather than DfE guidance) for a governance professional in academy trusts above a certain threshold (which could be dependent on either/or/both a financial or school number threshold); 

c)    provide guidance to ensure that the remuneration of a governance professional reflects the appropriate level of responsibility associated with supporting the board in the delivery of its many legal, regulatory, educational and ethical obligations and responsibilities.” 

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For further information, please contact Maria Brookes, Media Relations Manager: 

mbrookes@icsa.org.uk

+44 (0)20 7612 7072

+44 (0)7890 649 143