Become a Governor

Have you thought about becoming a College Governor? 

All governors get a great deal of satisfaction from being on the Governing Body. This was confirmed by the results of a recent questionnaire, which also showed that they enjoy being able to contribute, at a strategic and policy level, to the education and skill training of young people as well as providing opportunities for older students to fulfil long held ambitions or to be trained for a career change.

Board members at Colchester Institute give a time commitment of at least six board meetings a year, and serve on at least one committee (which demands another four to six meetings, or 10 to 15 hours a year).

The Board is always keen to hear from members of the local community who are interested in being a governor and can be waiting in the wings to fill vacancies as they arise.  All applications will be reviewed by a panel of existing Board members against the following questions.  Does the applicant:

• Currently work in a responsible position in the public/private/voluntary sector?
• Have any knowledge of Colchester Institute and support for its work?
• Have any involvement and interest in educational developments, particularly post-school?
• Have skills and experience that compliment those of existing Board members, or potential gaps or that will replace and extend the skills and experience of a retiring member?
• Have any involvement in the wider North Essex community?
• Have any previous participation in Colchester Institute activities?
• Bring opportunities to project the Board and Colchester Institute to a wider constituency?
• Have the potential and present wish to consider two four-year terms on the Board?
• Help maintain a gender balance on the Board.

If you would like to be considered for appointment to the Board, please send your CV and covering letter to Hazel Paton, Clerk to the Governors, Colchester Institute, Sheepen Road, Colchester CO3 3LL or email Hazel.Paton@colchester.ac.uk.   Alternatively phone Hazel on 01206 712606 for more information.

Governor Development Opportunities

When new governors are appointed, there is a programme of induction to support them in their new role and to help them get to know the College and the strategic responsibilities that governors have.  The programme includes meetings with the Chairman, the Principal, the Clerk and the Director of Finance.  The programme is tailored to meet individual interests so that new members can quickly contribute their previous experience and skills to the advantage of the Governing Body.

Current Vacancies 

Co-opted Member of the Audit and Compliance Committee

Colchester Institute Corporation is seeking someone with financial and/or audit experience to co-opt to its Audit and Compliance Committee.  Although not a member of the Corporation Board, the person appointed will have an equivalent status to full governing body members, and will be expected to observe the Code of Conduct for Corporation Board Members.  Members are not remunerated but you may claim out of pocket expenses actually incurred in attending meetings.  Members are appointed for a term of office not exceeding four year, and may be appointed for a further four year term.

The role of the committee is advisory.  It advises the Board on the adequacy and effectiveness of the College’s systems of internal control and its arrangements for risk management, control and Governance processes.  This advice is primarily formed through a consideration of the work of the College’s Internal Audit Service and its financial statements auditor. 

The Committee’s primary objective is to ensure that the adequacy and effectiveness of the college’s internal control systems, including audit activities, risk management control and governance processes and those of any subsidiaries, are monitored actively, independently and objectively in order to:-

• Improve the effectiveness of the College's internal controls, risk management controls and governance processes;
• reinforce the independence and effectiveness of the internal audit service;
• provide a sounding board for College management on issues of concern raised by the Internal Audit Service, and the Financial Statement Auditors in connection with the College's internal control systems;
• advise on the reliability of the College's information systems;
• underpin the objectivity and independence of the Financial Statement auditors;
• increase public confidence in the objectivity and fairness of the Corporation's financial reports and in the quality of the College's corporate governance.

The Committee also provides a medium of communication for the Corporation's auditors, which is not controlled by College management.

The Committee meets three times per year.  Meetings normally start at 4.30 pm and conclude between 6.00 and 6.30 pm.

Equal opportunities is inherent in all our recruitment, therefore we actively welcome nominations from under represented groups.