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Corporation Board Member Role Description

Table of Contents

Purpose of the Role

To contribute to the work of the Board as below:

The Board, led by the Chair, provides checks and balances to the College Executive team led by the Principal
The Board is accountable for its stewardship of public funds to deliver a quality service and for the performance of its legal and statutory duties
The Board will set the strategic direction of the College and monitor College performance by setting targets and agreeing key performance indicators

Responsibilities

Determination of the educational character and mission of the institution and the oversight of its activities;
Effective and efficient use of resources, the solvency and financial health of the institution and the Corporation and safeguarding their assets;
Approval of policies and Strategic Plans;
Setting the risk appetite and tolerance for the institution and agreeing appropriate policies to provide a robust framework for risk management.
Approving annual estimates of income and expenditure;
Monitoring the success rates and other key outcomes and ensuring any necessary action is taken when necessary;
Appointment, grading, and determination of the pay and conditions of service and if necessary the suspension and dismissal of the holders of senior posts and the Clerk;
Agreeing retention and achievement targets, monitoring academic achievement and raising standards;
Approving a framework for the pay and conditions of service of all other staff.

Person Specification

Core Elements

Governors should be able to demonstrate:

An interest in, and commitment to, lifelong learning and the role of the Colchester Institute as a major provider of education and training and contributor to the Regional economy;
Commitment to promoting equality and diversity;
Commitment to quality and raising standards;
Good communication and questioning skills and an ability to listen positively and appraise critically;
Ability to work positively with others and to contribute as a member of a team
Ability to make reasoned decisions and to act honestly, diligently and in good faith in the best interests of the Colchester Institute;
Willingness and ability to hold the College Executive to account through appropriate challenge
Willingness to promote the College within the community it serves.
Commitment to attend Board Meetings, Committees and other governor events and training sessions

Generic Skills

Strategic awareness;
Financial awareness;
Vision and commitment;
Ability to share and work to common values;
Critical listening and appraisal skills;
Ability to ask probing questions;
Analytical and problem-solving abilities;
Integrity to act without self-interest;
Ability to work within a framework of collective decision-making in the best interests of the Board and College;
Awareness of standards in public life (Nolan principals), public accountability and a commitment to upholding them;
Communication skills and the ability to influence.
A commitment to the promotion of the College Equal Opportunities and Health & Safety Policies.

Experience

Experience in any of the following areas would be an advantage:

Quality Assurance/IIP/ISO 9000 Monitoring and Student/Staff/Success measures
Customer Care, Marketing (all aspects) and Sales
Personnel and Industrial Relations and Trade Unions
Equal Opportunities, Disability Discrimination, Race relations
Governance/Trusteeship
Strategic Planning
Research and Development
Legal/Contractual Issues
Financial Analysis Planning and Budget Control
Acquisition and Management of Property and Estates
Contract Management
Audit
Risk Management and Insurance

Time Commitment

Individual members are expected to:

attend all Corporation Board meetings and Board Planning meetings
be a member of at least one Committee
devote preparation time for each meeting
undertake training and development activities organized by both the College and external bodies
participate in the College link scheme
participate in the life of the College by attending events such as concerts and shows, Graduation Ceremonies and other events celebrating student achievement

Eligibility

A person is not eligible to be a Governor of an FE College if they have been disqualified under charity law from being a charity trustee. Reasons for ineligibility include being disqualified from being a company director; having been adjudged bankrupt; and having served a sentence for a conviction within the last five years.
Staff of the College may not be appointed as members of the Board except as a Staff governor or in the capacity of Principal.
Governors should not normally be a student at the college unless they are appointed as student members.

Other Requirements

To formally agree to observe the Code of Conduct for Corporation Members
To complete and keep up to date a Declaration of Interests for inclusion in the Register of Members’ Interests, which is open for public inspection on request.
To sign and annually reconfirm a Declaration of Eligibility to be a member of the Corporation Board
To agree on appointment to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check in accordance with the College’s Vetting Checks and Single Central Register Policy.
Committed to a four year term of office

Colchester Institute Responds to Government Withdrawal of Management and Leadership Apprenticeship Funding

“The Government’s decision to defund management and leadership apprenticeship standards from September 2026 represents a significant change for employers and providers across the sector. At Colchester Institute, our commitment remains to support employers and apprentices through a smooth transition, ensuring continuity for existing learners while shaping new, high‑quality pathways for future leadership development. We will work in partnership with our employers to co‑design practical alternatives that continue to strengthen workforce capability and build organisational resilience.” – Ashley Gallagher, Head of Professional Apprenticeships and Skills at Colchester Institute

The Department for Education (DfE) has confirmed that funding for certain management and leadership apprenticeship standards will be withdrawn from 1 September 2026.

The affected standards currently delivered by Colchester Institute include:

Team Leader/Supervisor (Level 3)
Operations/Departmental Manager (Level 5)
Coaching Professional (Level 5)
Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship (Level 6)

In addition, the DfE has announced a national cap is being placed on new apprenticeship starts, limiting the number of new enrolments permitted across the sector between now and August 2026.

Please note, existing apprentices are unaffected and will continue their studies as planned.

We recognise how important these programmes are for developing leadership and management capability within organisations. We remain committed to:

Safeguarding the progress of existing apprentices.
Managing remaining start opportunities responsibly and in line with national guidance.
Working collaboratively with employers to design a new, high‑quality alternative curriculum offer that supports continuing leadership and skills development beyond 2026.

A consultation process with employers will launch shortly. This will inform our future leadership and management training provision, including both apprenticeship and non‑apprenticeship options. We welcome input from a range of stakeholders, and should you wish to contribute to shaping the future of our management offer, please reach out to employers@colchester.ac.uk help shape the conversation.

Further national and local updates will be provided here as soon as new guidance becomes available.