1. How to manage being a school-based clerk
Tina Weavers
Chair, Essex Clerks’ Association

2. Professional-quality clerking is about much more than taking minutes to record the discussions and decisions of the board. It is also about providing governing boards with expert advice on governance, procedures and compliance and directly contributing to its efficient conduct.
The voluntary nature of governance makes it all the more important that boards conduct their business efficiently to make the best possible use of everyone’s time.
Professional clerking has a vital role to play in meeting the administrative and procedural requirements of boards and enabling efficient and effective discussion and decision making.

3. The DfE recognises that professional-quality clerking is critical to the effectiveness of a governing board
What do you see
as the major
issues / drawbacks / concerns
of being a school-based clerk?

4. This is what is expected of a clerk:
To deliver administrative and organisational support;
To offer guidance to ensure that the board works in compliance with the appropriate legal and regulatory framework, and understands the potential consequences for non-compliance; and
To give advice on procedural matters relating to the operation of the board

5. To deliver administrative and organisational support
How easy is that?
How much time are you given to do this?
How many of you feel you are seen as just a minute taker?
What can we do to change this?

6. Getting hold of documentation?
Preparing for a meeting?
Minutes? Challenges?
Following up actions?
What else is an issue?

7. To offer guidance to ensure that the board works in compliance with the appropriate legal and regulatory framework, and understands the potential consequences for non-compliance

8. Where do you look for advice and guidance?
How do you keep yourself well-informed and up to date?
How do you keep your Governing Board informed?
How comfortable are you in giving advice during meetings?

9. RELATIONSHIPS
Much of what we have discussed leads us to our governance relationships
How easy is it for you to divorce your school role with your clerking role?

10. What else might you be asked to do as a clerk? Governor elections?
Prepare briefing papers?
Appeals Committees?
What do you think you might be asked to do because you are a school-based clerk?