The main provider of post-16 education in the Borough, Barnsley Colleges play a vital role within the Yorkshire and Humber region by delivering outstanding teaching and learning and very strong outcomes for its nearly 10 thousand students. The College has fantastic staff, great facilities, excellent partnerships with schools, industry and government and flexible programmes geared to local needs.

The College's students are at the heart of everything it does. Its brilliant, passionate staff are always striving for excellence and this positive culture has a real impact on the aspirations of its students. Its strategic priorities provide a roadmap for the College on the journey to achieving its vision of Transforming Lives. The priorities represent areas where our resources and time will be focused to ensure our students, staff and stakeholders get the best out of Barnsley College. Its goals include:

• Maintaining its ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted status
• Introducing the Government’s new T Level qualifications
• Maximising its Higher Education offer
• Working ever more closely with businesses on apprenticeships
• Developing stronger partnerships with stakeholders in the Borough and the region
• Introducing new provision for 14 to 16 year olds who have previously been home educated
• Continuing to grow and future-proof our finances

Barnsley has received huge support, locally and regionally, to invest in its outstanding teaching staff and create one of the very best learning facilities in the country, in which it has invested over £80 million over the past decade. The College's goals are ambitious but it believes that by working ever more closely with its partners they can be achieved. Ultimately, Barnsley College is all about ensuring the people of Barnsley can be proud of their College, knowing it is going to help them get the skills they need for the careers of today and into the future.

Governors of a Further Education College take joint responsibility for its educational character (i.e. the kind of educational provision which it makes for the student groups it serves) and for ensuring that the College is well managed and solvent.

Each Governor brings to the Board of Governors (the ‘Corporation’) a mix of knowledge, skills and abilities which are unique, but which complement those of other Governors. Together, the Board provides a range of expertise to give strategic direction to the senior management of the College in their operational roles.

Your appointment is as a Board member of the Corporation and you are responsible to the Chair of the Board of Governors.

Responsibilities
To take joint responsibility with other members of the Corporation, for setting and monitoring the strategic framework within which the College operates

1. To be actively involved in reviewing the role and function of the College in response to internal and external changeTo take joint responsibility with other members of the Corporation to ensure that all resources, including financial, personnel, property and other assets, are effectively deployed and managed
2. Through the monitoring of regular financial reports, to take joint responsibility, with other members of the Corporation for ensuring that the College is solvent and that finances are well managed.
3. You will, as a Governor, be jointly responsible for approving annual estimates of income and expenditure
4. Through regular monitoring of the College’s Balanced Scorecard, to take joint responsibility with other members of the Corporation for ensuring that the College is setting and achieving high quality provision across all areas of delivery
5. To take joint responsibility with other members of the Corporation for fostering good relations between the College and the communities it serves and ensuring that the College’s aims and objectives are understood and achieved
6. To participate in Committees or working groups of the Corporation, in accordance with your own knowledge, skills and abilities
7. To take joint responsibility with other members of the Corporation for ensuring that the College, in its procedures, policies and actions, complies with the law
8. To work with other governors to ensure that the College has due regard to equal opportunities in its operations
9. To represent the Corporation and the College at external meetings, presentations and conferences as appropriate
10. To play an ambassadorial role on the College’s behalf

As several of its members' terms come to an end, Barnsley College seeks two outstanding individuals with a senior background in audit, finance, or accountancy to join its Governing Body and its Audit Committee.

Governors will provide constructive challenge and scrutiny to the College's audit reports. Above all, the successful candidates will have a genuine interest in the College beyond attending Board meetings. A connection to South Yorkshire would be desirable, but is not essential, and the College is open as to applicants' backgrounds. A background in education is not necessary. 

A list of current Governors is available here.

There are ten Board and three or four Committee meetings pear year, both of which take place on Tuesdays between 4:00pm and 6:00pm. Additionally, Governors are expected to attend an away day on 25-26th January. The overall time commitment for the position is approximately one day per month. It is possible to attend meetings virtually, but in-person attendance is preferred. Governors are, however, expected to attend at least 80% of meetings. The appointment is for a renewable three or four-year term. Committee members may serve for a maximum of eight years. The role is unremunerated, but reasonable, pre-agreed domestic expenses can be reimbursed.