Governors

Join the Board at Bournemouth & Poole College and be part of their continued journey for greater success and further development in supporting a thriving local economy and community.

Closing date: 9 a.m. Wednesday 24th April

We are Bournemouth & Poole College

We are the largest provider of further education (FE) and apprenticeships in the area. Our core focus is on developing the work skills of our students so that when they leave us, they are ready to start or to progress within their chosen careers.

With three campuses across Bournemouth and Poole, we serve our local communities well and are working towards becoming a beacon institution within the local region.

Facts about us:

• We are home to around 9,000+ students from across the region, the UK and the world and employ over 600 people.
• Our academic results are high and continue to improve.
• We’re a great place to study. 9/10 students would recommend The Bournemouth & Poole College to a friend.
• Our Apprenticeships training is consistently above the national average. We work with 2,000+ businesses across Dorset and the surrounding area. It means we can provide students with access to training, work experience and real-life projects, adding to their CVs.
• Higher education remains an important part of our provision. On average, over 600 students (50:50 full-time and part-time) study degree-level courses at the College.
• We are proud to be a Community College and are closely embedded in the activities of the region and local communities. Over 2,300 of our students took part in volunteering activities last year.
• Our team provides in-house access to work skills training and exclusive jobs that aren’t advertised elsewhere.
• Our residential support for students was graded as ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted in November 2023.

About the role

The Bournemouth & Poole College’s activities are overseen by the Board of the Corporation. It is responsible for agreeing, supporting and scrutinising the delivery of the College’s strategy.

The College Board has 16 members and includes members from the commercial, public, voluntary and education sectors. The Board operates a committee structure model and operates strictly in accordance with the government’s laid down ‘Instrument and Articles of Government’.

The role of the Governor is fundamental to strong and effective governance and is, therefore, key to Bournemouth & Poole College’s continued success. The Governors will bring experience at a strategic or senior level with a real recognition of the difference that education makes to the lives of thousands of people each year.

The appointed Governors will provide expertise in their area and ensure the collaboration of Governors is effective and of the highest standards, working as a coherent unit in close partnership with the management team to achieve the College’s strategy and objectives.

Together, the Corporation Board will review the College mission, consider strategic developments, systematically monitor College and management performance, review and monitor the implementation of a range of College policies, and ensure compliance with statutory requirements at all times. The Corporation is charged with developing an environment that enables the College to fulfil its mission for the benefit of learners and the community.

This current campaign of recruitment is part of our succession planning strategy and would hope to engage people with the ambition and mindset to develop as Governors and look to the future opportunities of Chair or Vice Chair of the Board. As a sector, we have a comprehensive CPD package for new Governors and those wishing to develop for future roles within a Board. Our experienced Director of Governance, Marianne Barnard, is well-versed in supporting all of our Board to be the very best they can be.

Who we are looking for

Recognising our ambitious strategy and aspirations for further development, we seek to engage strategic leaders from the local and wider area to support the Board in this journey and bring a passion for success and recognition of the value of post-16 education to society.

Governors are innovative and dynamic individuals who will share the College’s vision and help us deliver our ambitions.

We are currently looking to recruit new Governors with experience in any of the following areas:

• Education – curriculum, safeguarding, digital innovation
• Business/commercial leadership

Most importantly, we want people to join our Board who have an understanding and passion for what we do and why we do it – education is a pivotal time and experience for all of our students, and as a Board, we are able to impact and influence the direction of the College for the benefit of future generations across the region.

We promote equality of opportunity and inclusion within the workplace and welcome applications from all sections of the community, especially those currently underrepresented within the organisation.

The Board Member role is voluntary, although reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed. Our Board Members undertake a rich range of activities as part of the governance team, both in meetings and committees, and engaging with students, college staff and external contacts; to gain rounded perspectives to inform their contribution. The Board holds three scheduled meetings a year, these meetings are normally held at our Poole Campus on a Thursday (16:00 – 19:00). In addition to Board Meetings, members are expected to join one Board Committee (meetings are online and held termly, normally on Tuesday mornings). Other activity includes: attendance at the annual Board Planning Day, an annual Board/SLT dinner and learning walks.

This is a fantastic opportunity to join an ambitious and successful Governing Board and make a genuine impact on the future success of the College and its learners.

You will support the development and influence the direction of Bournemouth & Poole College at a time of great momentum as we seek to secure the finances, grow the organisation and aspire to provide outstanding, meaningful education opportunities for learners across the region.

Benefits

• A chance to develop skills in a strategic leadership role.
• The opportunity to work with a team of Governors and staff in achieving the goal of becoming an outstanding further and higher education provider.
• Training to develop an understanding of specific college management issues.
• A sense of achievement in making a difference to the College and the community.

Peridot Partners and Bournemouth & Poole College are, together, committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and our client expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references before any final offer can be made.

Please click 'Apply’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the candidate profile and register your interest to apply.

Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Wednesday 24th April.