A note from our Chair
"The Corporation’s Governors work hard to fulfil Wilberforce College’s mission to raise aspirations and serve the educational needs of our community. We provide the strategic direction for the College, and we consider all aspects of our students’ education – from their achievement to their well-being. We work with the College and its community to enable all our students to fulfil their potential. We are all volunteers and do the job because we care. We are open and honest in conducting our business, and I am proud to be a governor and Chair of the Corporation."
Pat Mould
Chair of the Corporation
Our Governors
At Wilberforce Sixth Form College we have an active board of governors who play an integral role in the continuing development of the College. The Governing body, together with the Principal, constitutes the highest level of decision-making in the College, having overall responsibility for the strategic direction and financial health of the institution.
Our board of Governors is well balanced in terms of skills and experience, with members having backgrounds in industry, education and the local authority. The common characteristic of the governing body is a passionate commitment to service the community within which the College is located. As such, the Governors set high expectations for the College and its students, and are leading the College to realise its ambition of being judged as outstanding by Ofsted.
Our governors have a critical role in:
- Ensuring the financial well-being of the College and monitoring the effective and efficient use of resources and the quality of its services
- Assuring that the College’s educational character meets the needs of the community which the College serves
- Ensuring that the College mission and vision both reflects the needs of the community it serves and informs and directs every aspect of the College’s activities
- Monitoring the ethos of the College
Enquiries
We welcome enquiries about governance at Wilberforce and are happy to share the minutes and papers of our governors’ meetings with the public. All non-confidential agendas, reports, minutes considered at the meetings of the Corporation, the Register of Interests of Members of the Corporation and the College’s Financial Regulations and Procedures are held by the Clerk and may be inspected by mutual arrangement.
If there are any issues you would like to raise with the Corporation or for more information on the timing of reporting please contact:
Laura Skarratt
Clerk to the Corporation,
Wilberforce College,
Saltshouse Road,
Kingston upon Hull,
HU8 9HD
Email: Laura.Skarratt@wilberforce.ac.uk
Tel: 01482 711688
Chair of the Corporation:
Pat Mould
Email: gvpm@wilberforce.ac.uk
Our Governance Strengths
External Review of Governance 2022-2023
Governance4FE
- Wilberforce College has ‘mature overall governance’.
- There is ‘strong oversight of the financial management of the college’.
- ‘The Board plays a key role as a sounding board to the Executive’.
- ‘The relationship between the Board and Executive is characterised by candour and mutual respect’.
- Governors involvement in the strategic direction of the the college has been ‘pivotal to the aspirational future direction of the college over the long-term, ensuring that students have the best opportunities to be successful’.
- There is a ‘strong spirit of emotional unity within the boardroom – it embraces changes whilst remaining steadfast in its commitment to the local community’.
- ‘Governors give clear steer and affirmation of the ethos, values, and purpose of the institution’.
Governor Recruitment
Would you like to use your knowledge, experience and expertise to make a difference?
The Governing Board are now welcoming applications to fill Independent and Parent / Carer Governor vacancies. We are also welcoming applications for Co-Opted Governor membership on our committees.
We are committed to the principles of equality, diversity and inclusion and as such our appointments are based on merit, taking into account skills gaps within our Corporation. You do not need to have governance experience to be a governor, we have governors with backgrounds in Law, Business, Charity, Education and Accountancy and training is provided to all governors throughout their terms of office. Governor roles are not remunerated, and required a full DBS check.
We currently have vacancies within:
Audit Committee
Finance and General Purposes Committee
For more information about current vacancies and how to become a governor please use the links below or contact the Clerk directly.
The Governing Board (Corporation) is now seeking to appoint a parent to our Governing Board as Parent Governor.
We welcome applications from all interested individuals who would like to help shape the strategic management of the college, gain new skills and experience, and use your knowledge and experience to make a difference. Parent Governors play an important role on our Governing Board, and their contributions and commitment are highly valued.
To be eligible you must have parental responsibility for a current, enrolled learner at Wilberforce Sixth Form College who is under the age of 19 (at time of your appointment). This can be as parent, carer, guardian or mentor.
Please note that being Parent Governor is a voluntary role and requires full DBS and eligibility checks, for further information on eligibility please see below.
To apply please complete the Parent Governor Application form and send directly to Laura Skarratt, Governance Professional (Clerk to the Corporation) by the given deadline. Or more information about the role, the process of appointment, eligibility, or the Governing Board please contact Laura Skarratt: Email: Laura.skarratt@wilberforce.ac.uk or telephone 01482 711688
Why Become a Parent Governor?
- You can use your experience and knowledge to make a difference.
- You will be involved in overseeing College activities.
- You will help shape the strategic direction of the College and monitor the financial well-being of the College.
- You will gain new skills and experience and meet new people and network.
What Skills Are Needed?
- A commitment to improving education for all students.
- The ability to work in a professional manner as part of a team and take collective responsibility for decisions.
- The willingness to learn.
- A commitment to the college’s mission and core values.
- Basic literacy, numeracy and IT skills (ie. email and word processing). With further training provided to support your role.
- You do not need to have governance experience to be a Governor. We have Governors with backgrounds in business, charity, education, government, law, accountancy, IT and audit.
Interested?
- The terms of office for a parent governor is usually 2 years.
- We are committed to the principles of equality and diversity. Our appointments are made on merit, taking into account skills gaps and we particularly welcome applications from groups not yet represented on our Board.
- Parent governors must be parent / carer / guardian / mentor to a learner at Wilberforce who is under the age of 19 at the time of appointment.
- All new Governors are assigned to an experienced mentor to support them through their first term.
- Training opportunities are provided for all Governors.
- Meetings are usually held midweek 4:30pm – 6:30pm on site, with some option to attend virtually if this is required.
- All Governors must complete safeguarding checks (DBS), annual eligibility declarations and complete a declaration for the Register of Interest.
- Youtube Video: Inspiring FE Governance: What is a Governor?
- Full information about the process of appointment can be found on the ‘Governance’ webpage: Search Procedures.
- For further information on who is eligible / not eligible to serve as a governor: NCVO Trustee Disqualification
Wilberforce Sixth Form College has a commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students and expects all staff to share this commitment. All posts are subject to Enhanced DBS Disclosure.
The Board of Governors are now seeking to appoint to three Independent Governor vacancies on our Governing Board.
We welcome applications from individuals who would like to help shape the strategic management of the college, gain new skills and experience, and use your knowledge and experience to make a difference. Previous experience as a governor is not required as training will be provided to support you in your role.
We are committed to the principles of equality and diversity, as such our appointments are made on merit, taking into account skills gaps and we particularly welcome applications from groups not yet represented on our Governing Board.
We currently have vacancies on our Governing Board, with a focus on recruitment to our Audit Committee and Finance and General Purposes Committee.
To apply please complete the Independent Governor Application form and send directly to the Governance Professional (Clerk to the Corporation), or for more information on the role, eligibility or the Board of Governors please contact Laura Skarratt at Laura.Skarratt@wilberforce.ac.uk or telephone 01482 711688
Why Become an Independent College Governor?
- You can use your experience and knowledge to make a difference.
- You will be involved in overseeing College activities.
- You will help shape the strategic direction of the College and monitor the financial well-being of the College.
- You will gain new skills and experience and meet new people and network.
What Skills Are Needed?
- A commitment to improving education for all students.
- The ability to work in a professional manner as part of a team and take collective responsibility for decisions.
- The willingness to learn.
- A commitment to the college’s mission and core values.
- Basic literacy, numeracy and IT skills (ie. email and word processing). With further training provided to support your role.
- You do not need to have governance experience to be a Governor. We have Governors with backgrounds in business, charity, education, government, law, accountancy, IT and audit.
Interested?
- Training opportunities are provided for all Governors.
- All new Governors are assigned to an experienced mentor to support them through their first term.
- Terms of office are usually between 2 and 4 years.
- Meetings are usually held midweek 4:30pm – 6:30pm on site, with some option to attend virtually.
- All Governors must complete safeguarding checks (DBS), annual eligibility declarations and complete a declaration for the Register of Interest.
- Youtube Video: Inspiring FE Governance: What is a Governor?
- For further information on who is eligible / not eligible to serve as a governor: NCVO Trustee Disqualification
Wilberforce Sixth Form College has a commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students and expects all staff to share this commitment. All posts are subject to Enhanced DBS Disclosure.
- Wilberforce College Accountability Agreement 2023 (download)
- External Review of Governance 2022-23 (download)
- Remuneration Committee Statement 2021/22 (download)
- Wilberforce Corporation Environmental Sustainability Statement 2022-23 (download)
- Search and Governance Committee Annual Report 2022-23 (download)
- Governor Profiles (download)
- Wilberforce College Public Benefit Statement (download)
- Membership of Committees 2023-24 (download)
- Meeting Schedule 2023-24 (download)
- Governor's Handbook (download)
- Code of Conduct (download)
- Standing Orders (download)
- Instruments and Articles (download)
- Search Procedures (download)
- Six Core Principles of Good Governance (download)
- The Seven Principles of Public Life (download)
- Attendance Policy for Non-Members (download)
- Arrangements for Obtaining the Views of Staff and Students on the Determination and Periodic Review of the Educational Character and Mission on the College (download)
The Corporation publishes its Annual Members’ Report and Financial Statements annually and are available on the website for no less than 12 months. For any Annual Members’ Report and Financial Statements not already available on the website, please contact the Clerk.
- Annual Report and Financial Statements (year ended July 2023) (download)
- Annual Report and Financial Statements (year ended July 2022) (opens in new tab)
- Annual Report and Financial Statements (year ended July 2019) (download)
- Annual Report and Financial Statements (year ended July 2020) (download)
- Annual Report and Financial Statements (year ended July 2021) (download)
Please find below downloadable minutes documents for Corporation meetings, covering the following: Corporation, Finance and General Purposes Committee, Audit Committee and Quality and Standards Committee.
- Audit Committee - 15 November 2023 (download)
- Audit Committee - 24 May 2023 (download)
- Audit Committee - 6 March 2023 (download)
- Audit Committee - 16 November 2022 (download)
- Audit Committee - 15 June 2022 (download)
- Audit Committee - 10th March 2022 (download)
- Audit Committee - 17th November 2021 (download)
- Audit Committee - 16th June 2021 (download)
- Audit Committee - 24th February 2021 (download)
- Audit Committee - 8th November 2020 (download)
- Corporation - 13 December 2023 (download)
- Corporation - 5 July 2023 (download)
- Corporation - 29 March 2023 (download)
- Corporation - 7 Dec 2022 (download)
- Corporation - 6th July 2022 (download)
- Corporation - 6th April 2022 (download)
- Corporation - 8th December 2021 (download)
- Corporation - 7th July 2021 (download)
- Corporation - 24th March 2021 (download)
- Corporation - 2nd December 2020 (download)
- Finance & General Purposes - 22 November 2023 (download)
- Finance & General Purposes - 27 September 2023 (download)
- Finance & General Purposes - 14 June 2023 (download)
- Finance & General Purposes - 23 November 2022 (download)
- Finance & General Purposes - 15 March 2023 (download)
- Finance & General Purposes - 28 September 2022 (download)
- Finance & General Purposes - 20 June 2022 (download)
- Finance & General Purposes - 22nd March 2022 (download)
- Finance & General Purposes - 24th November 2021 (download)
- Finance & General Purposes - 22nd September 2021 (download)
- Finance & General Purposes - 10th March 2021 (download)
- Finance & General Purposes - 18th November 2020 (download)
- Finance & General Purposes - 9th September 2020 (download)
- Quality & Standards - 8 November 2023 (download)
- Quality & Standards - 4 October 2023 (download)
- Quality & Standards - 10 May 2023 (download)
- Quality & Standards - 8 February 2023 (download)
- Quality & Standards - 9 November 2022 (download)
- Quality & Standards - 5 October 2022 (download)
- Quality & Standards - 18 May 2022 (download)
- Quality & Standards - 9th February 2022 (download)
- Quality & Standards - 10th November 2021 (download)
- Quality & Standards - 6th October 2021 (download)
- Quality & Standards - 3rd February 2021 (download)
- Quality & Standards - 11th November 2020 (download)
- Quality & Standards - 7th October 2020 (download)