Ibstock Place School is a thriving independent co-educational day school for pupils aged four to 18. The School has a strong family ethos and provides a rich variety of opportunity in a friendly, supportive atmosphere. The School has an iconic location on the edge of Richmond Park, South West London, providing a unique extension to the School estate. You can read more about the history of the school here.

Ibstock is an ambitious School with many stories. At Ibstock, pupils are able to shape their own futures: the uniting factor for all its pupils is their desire to make the most of every minute. As a result, its pupils not only perform impressively in public examinations, but leave the School well prepared to meet an ever-changing, 21st century world.

Wellbeing and the development of pupils sits at the heart of the Ibstock ethos. The School ensures that its pupils’ natural curiosity and empathy is nourished, setting the conditions which enable them to excel, both during their time with the School and throughout their adult lives.

Within the co-educational environment, each pupil has the opportunity to do something impressive or to be someone impressive. Additionally, the School's House system encourages strong bonds between pupils of different year groups - and also between staff and pupils - through the vertical House tutoring system. By creating a dynamic and forward-thinking curriculum in a co-educational setting, set in the context of Ibstock's beautiful surroundings, the School is able to foster an inclusive culture for pupils and staff alike.

The four pillars of 'curriculum, co-education, context and culture' critically underpin the School's evolving strategy. The new Governor will join the School Board at an important juncture in the evolution of the School, and will contribute significantly to a ‘fulsome sense of renewal’ for Ibstock Place as it looks to the next 10 years. The School has enjoyed - and will continue to benefit from - significant investment and the new Governors will benefit from being part of ensuring the School is robust, and able to adapt to future opportunities and challenges.

Governors are responsible for the overall management and control of Ibstock Place School, ensuring that the School meets its mission to provide the necessary education, training and support to enable all pupils to develop their potential.

They will do this by:

• Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
• Holding executive leaders to account for the educational performance of the School and its pupils, and the performance management of staff
• Overseeing the financial performance of the School and making sure its money is well spent

The successful candidate will be expected to join the Finance and General Purpose Committee.

Finance

The Governor (Finance) will be a successful leader with analytical finance skills who brings senior-level financial expertise to support / advise the Board on financial risk and strategy. This candidate will be a chartered accountant, and will likely have worked as a financial practitioner in a large accounting firm. They may also have gone on to other roles, such as CFO or Director of Finance of a large business, and may have experience working in pensions (although this is not a requirement for the role).

Education

The Governor (Education) will be a successful school leader who, ideally, has substantial experience working in a high-performing school. They may be a Head of School, or a member of the wider senior leadership team, such as a Deputy / Assistant Head, and will ideally have experience in both primary and secondary schools. Candidates will either be currently in an education position, or have recent experience in one. 

Candidates may have experience in either the Independent or State sector. While there is a preference for both primary & secondary expertise, leaders of Preparatory or Secondary Schools are also encouraged to express an interest. The Board would particularly like to encourage applications from first-time non-executives. 

For both roles, the successful candidates will above all share in IPS's vision to provide a thoughtful, rounded education for its pupils.

You can read more about the Board here.

There are three Board meetings per year, which are held in person in the School grounds,, and typically take place at 6pm on Wednesdays in the middle of term. Additionally, there are termly Committee meetings, which take place on Monday evenings. Governors are also expected to engage with the Board on an ad-hoc basis (such as attending extra-ordinary Board meetings). The appointment is for an initial four-year term, which can be renewed once at the discretion of the Board. This role is unremunerated. Reasonable, pre-agreed expenses will be reimbursed.

As Board meetings are held in person, candidates will either be London-based or willing to travel for meetings.