Governance Officer – The Saint John Southworth Catholic Academy Trust

The Saint John Southworth Catholic Academy Trust – Governance Officer

Hybrid | Permanent | full time/term time

The Saint John Southworth Catholic Academy Trust (SJSCAT) is seeking a highly organised and motivated Governance Officer to join its Shared Services Team. As a growing family of Catholic primary, secondary and post-16 schools, SJSCAT is committed to delivering outstanding education rooted in faith, aspiration and service. This newly created role offers an excellent opportunity for an individual with strong administrative and communication skills to support high-quality governance across the Trust, helping its schools to focus on teaching, learning and pastoral care.

About the Role

Reporting to the Governance Manager, you will play a key role in supporting the effective operation of local governing bodies and our Trust Board. You will ensure that governance across the Trust is compliant, well-coordinated and aligned with statutory and regulatory requirements.

This role will suit someone who is detail‑oriented, confident in handling sensitive information and able to provide clear and accurate advice in a fast‑paced educational environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide high‑quality clerking services to local governing bodies and committees, including agenda preparation, circulation of papers, accurate minute‑taking and tracking actions
• Coordinate the annual calendar of governance meetings, panels and hearings, ensuring statutory timelines and processes are met
• Maintain accurate governance records, including attendance, declarations of interest and terms of office
• Oversee the recruitment and appointment processes for governors, including elections, Diocese submissions and safeguarding checks, supporting governor induction, training coordination and records of professional development
• Assist with additional adhoc responsibilities when they arise

What We Are Looking For

• Demonstrable administrative and governance experience
• Strong minute taking skills
• Proven experience in a governance support role within a school or educational setting (desirable)
• An understanding of governance structures within academy trusts (desirable)
• The ability to prioritise workloads, meet deadlines and work flexibly, including attending evening meetings
• A proactive, positive and collaborative approach

Why this role?

• A supportive and collaborative working environment
• Opportunities for training and development to help you grow in your governance career
• The chance to contribute to a trust committed to delivering high-quality education and supporting staff wellbeing
• Flexible approach to hybrid working

Provisional start date: 1st September 2026

The Saint John Southworth Catholic Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people. All roles are subject to satisfactory vetting, including an Enhanced DBS check with Children’s Barred List.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974. The amendments to the ROA 1974 (Exceptions Order 1975, (amended 2013 and 2020)) provide that when applying for certain jobs, certain spent convictions and cautions are protected and they do not need to be disclosed to employers. If they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. Guidance about whether a conviction or caution should be disclosed can be found on the Ministry of Justice website and further information about filtering offences can be found in DBS filtering guide.

Ref: 2505

The Core Partnership is exclusively appointed on this assignment. To find out more, please contact Edd Cass or Lucy Packer on 020 3589 0333 or email team@core-partnership.co.uk quoting Assignment 2505. (Any direct or third-party applications will be forwarded to The Core Partnership).

The Core Partnership is a consciously inclusive recruitment agency, and therefore welcomes applications regardless of ethnicity or cultural background, age, gender, gender identity, nationality, religion, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected characteristic. 

We want to give all our candidates the best opportunity to succeed.  If you need any adjustments to be made during the application process, please contact us