Pocklington School is an independent, day and boarding, coeducational School of around 760 pupils. The School was originally founded in 1514 by John Dolman, and has remained on its West Green site (in Pocklington, East Yorkshire) ever since. Although the majority of its pupils are day pupils, boarding is still central to the life of the community.

Pocklington School (11-18), the Prep School at Pocklington School (4-11) and the Pre-School at Pocklington School (2-4) together make up the Pocklington School Foundation, a registered charity which oversees the financial and day-to-day management of the Schools. The Foundation is led by the Headmaster, who is accountable to the Board of Governors. At the very heart of Pocklington's ethos lie its 'Values and Virtues'; driving all that Pocklington does, and allowing its students to leave with a strong sense of personal and social responsibility along with the ability to shape their own future. 

The Pocklington School Foundation is proud of its connection to its locality and is committed to working alongside and assisting its friends and neighbours. It works with several local primary and secondary schools to support the academic and extra-curricular education of children in the area, hosting regular academic and sporting events, supporting staff training, sharing best practices, offering assistance with equipment and facilities, and providing access to specialist workshops.

The ‘culture of philanthropy’ is central to the ethos of the Pocklington School Foundation. Donations of time, money and expertise are generously given within the community to help improve School facilities, opportunities and experiences. The whole community actively ‘gives back’ and seeks to make a positive difference beyond the school gates, with regular fundraising events including an annual Pocklington School Charity Week, which raises substantial amounts for local and national charities. 

Governors work towards a shared goal of providing a high-quality education for children and young people throughout the Foundation. The Board meets regularly to consider progress towards the Foundation’s long-term goals, as captured in the Strategic Education Vision 2020-25. Governors influence the culture and approve the values of the School and work closely with the Heads of both the Senior and Prep Schools, supporting them and challenging them. 

Governors are responsible for:

• Approving the vision and strategy for the School
• Overseeing the operations of the School, including financial performance
• Holding the School leaders to account

Activities include:

• Attending governing board meetings: these take place four times a year and may be held outside of School hours
• Membership of board committees (normally two) which meet each term, often virtually
• Visiting the School to see it working in practice, and listening to the views of staff, pupils and parents
• Selecting and appointing a new Head if there is a vacancy
• Overseeing serious disciplinary decisions
• Undertaking ongoing development

Pocklington School is seeking a new Governor who can combine a passion for education with senior, strategic-level leadership experience. 

The Board is particularly interested in individuals with experience in IT / digital, HR, and marketing / PR, as Governors from those disciplines are currently under-represented; however, there is a real openness here to consider applicants from a wide range of functional backgrounds and sectors. The most important requirement is that applicants fully grasp the role of governance as opposed to management and have the strategic-level experience required to provide effective support and guidance to the Foundation. 

It is hoped that the appointed individual may consider becoming Chair of the Board within 6-12 months of joining, and as such the Board has a preference for experienced non-executives.

A full list of current Governors can be found here.

The full Governing Body meets four times per year in person at the School. Governors are also expected to join at least one Sub-Committee, which meet once per term, generally virtually. Additionally, there is an annual strategy day, a drinks evening with the Head, plus other ad hoc events. 

Governors are appointed for an initial term of five years, which can be renewed indefinitely at the discretion of the Board. This role is unremunerated but reasonable, pre-agreed expenses will be reimbursed.

The School is located in the town of Pocklington in the East Riding of Yorkshire, 12 miles east of York and 20 miles from Hull. It is not essential that candidates are based in and around Pocklington, as long as they are comfortable with travelling to the School on a regular basis. 

Pocklington School welcomes applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability. All appointments will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process. In line with the Equality Act 2010, however, the organisation may employ positive action where diverse candidates can demonstrate their ability to perform the role equally well.