St Albans High School For Girls (STAHS) is a vibrant school supported by a diverse and enthusiastic community of governors, staff, pupils, parents and alumni. It is one of the leading selective, independent day schools in the country, educating approximately 1,150 pupils aged from 4-18 years in and around the city of St Albans. The School includes a Preparatory School set in its own grounds, and a Senior School in the city centre.

STAHS' "Teach to 25" philosophy underpins all it does – its focus is on delivering an education which will equip each pupil with the skills, independence and knowledge they will need to navigate and thrive in the critical early years of adult life. Its vision is that each child is supported to become a happy, resilient young person who embraces life’s challenges and opportunities. STAHS pupils not only achieve excellent academic outcomes, but more importantly are prepared to live lives of consequence and make a meaningful impact on the world.

STAHS is very proud to be consistently ranked amongst the best independent schools in the UK. The School has sky-high expectations for and of its pupils, and its world-class teaching and rich curriculum help them achieve their ambitions. In and outside the classroom, its pupils are encouraged to and rewarded for giving their best, whatever their passions and aspirations. Each year, the range of courses, universities and other higher education options upon which its Year 13 leavers embark is as varied and individual as they are. Rather than following the crowd, they blaze their own trails.

The School is committed to broadening access through partnerships and bursaries and, in the 2021 / 2022 academic year, total annual bursary awards amounted to six per cent of fee income, with seven per cent of Senior School pupils being in receipt of full or partial bursary assistance.

More information about STAHS Strategic Plan 2023-2028 can be found here. 

St Albans High School For Girls is searching for a new Governor who will act as Chair of the Finance Committee. Alongside the standard duties of a Governor, this new appointee will take the lead in Council discussions surrounding any subjects relating to financial matters. Beyond this, the Finance Committee Chair will:

Formal meetings each academic year

• Chair 4 regular meetings of the Finance Committee
• Attend 2/3 meetings of the Remuneration Sub-committee of the Finance Committee
• Attend 3 meetings of the Governance Committee
• Attend 4 regular Council meetings, reporting on matters referred up from the Finance Committee

Other meetings

• Attend annual meeting with external auditors following completion of the audit
• Informal budget planning meeting or meetings with Bursar to discuss key budget assumptions
• Attend any additional meetings of committees and Council as required
  

To chair the Finance Committee, STAHS is looking to appoint an experienced finance and audit professional. The right candidate will hold an accountancy qualification, with excellent executive finance or audit experience and be able to support the Council in ensuring that financial best practices are carefully upheld.

Candidates will be highly conscientious, with the ability to challenge within a collaborative framework and analyse problems. As Committee Chair, the successful candidate should demonstrate an ability to lead and manage through the facilitation of debate individually and collectively.

Candidates should not be parents or grandparents of a current pupil at the School, as STAHS is seeking an independent candidate from outside the School community for this placement. However, candidates may be former pupils. STAHS is also open to candidates who have not previously held non-executive roles, so long as they are able to demonstrate a good understanding of the role of governance.

The full composition of the Council can be viewed here. 

This role is unremunerated, and reasonable, pre-agreed travel expenses will be reimbursed. The  Council meets four times per year, at the School, with meetings usually starting at 6pm, and the Finance Committee a further four times, also generally starting at 6pm. The Governing body also holds an annual strategy day, usually held on a Saturday.

In addition to participation in Council and Committee meetings, Governors are also encouraged to attend School events and to spend time in School, and may be called upon for ad hoc advice where necessary.

The appointment is for one-year term, which can be renewed twice, for three years at a time, at the discretion of the Council.

The School is based in St Albans and meetings will take place in-person. Candidates will therefore be UK-based and willing to regularly visit St Albans.

It is important that the composition of the Council reflects the diversity of the School community, and therefore applications are welcomed from people of all genders and sexual orientation, those from Black, Asian and other minority ethnic backgrounds, and those with disabilities.