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Being a governor at Fircroft College
Fircroft College is a residential college for adult education based in Selly Oak, near central Birmingham. It was founded in 1909 by George Cadbury Jnr with a strong commitment to social justice which continues to this day and is reflected in the College’s Vision, Mission and Values. These drive and lead Fircroft’s work and apply to all staff, governors and volunteers.
Vision: Learning to become a better world
Mission: To promote social and climate/environmental justice by providing
adults with an excellent learning environment for personal, professional
and political development.
Values: Supportive; Collaborative; Anti-racist; Empowering; Brave and
Authentic
Strategic Goal: To support the development of global sustainable citizens
through residential adult education.
Being a Fircroft College governor: responsibilities
The frameworks that determine what Fircroft governors do and how they do it are set out in various pieces of legislation, regulation, and the College’s governance documents. As part of the College leadership, governors oversee its work and provide strategic direction but are not involved in day-to-day operations. Management is the responsibility of the Principal and other staff. Governors are responsible for:
ensuring the College complies with its governing document, and relevant legislation or regulations, including charity, company and further education law
ensuring the College pursues the objectives set out in its Articles of Association and other governance documents
determining Fircroft’s strategic goals, educational character and overall direction
oversight of College activities
ensuring the proper management and administration of the College safeguarding Fircroft’s reputation and values, and promoting the College externally
approving and reviewing the quality strategy
managing risk with a considered, proportionate and balanced approach
ensuring the College’s solvency and financial stability
ensuring resources are used effectively, efficiently and only to achieve Fircroft’s objectives for public benefit
safeguarding any assets, ensuring College funds are invested properly
approving annual estimates of income and expenditure
following proper and formal arrangements for the appointment, supervision, support, appraisal, suspension, dismissal and pay and conditions of service of Senior Post holders and the Clerk to Governors, and
ensuring the Governing Body acts appropriately and within its powers.
Governors are accountable for:
students’ success and safety, whether they are learning on site or in the community
Fircroft’s financial solvency and sound management
the quality of the education and other services provided
the proper use of any public money received.
The normal term of office for governors is three years but a further two terms are possible with the approval of the Governing Body.
Being a Fircroft College governor: expectations
Although governors are individually responsible for these duties and accountabilities, the Governing Body works collectively as a team. All governors are expected to:
commit to Fircroft’s Vision and Mission and behave according to its Values - this means continuing to reflect, learn and grow, working collaboratively and supportively, and actively promoting equality, inclusion and diversity in the College and Governing Body
maintain confidentiality, integrity and comply with the Code of Governance for Governors – see also the Seven Principles of Public Life
always act in the College’s best interests - governors are not ‘delegates’ and must not be bound by external mandates
support the Principal and Senior Leadership – including through independent, impartial and constructive challenge
prepare for and participate in Governing Body and committee meetings - expenses are available and virtual attendance, or entirely online meetings, are possible through Zoom and Microsoft Teams with training and laptops provided
use their skills, knowledge, and professional and personal experience to improve the work of the Governing Body and the College – a diverse mix of governors is an asset, enriching thinking, challenging bias, supporting sound decisions, and strengthening governors’ Ambassadorial’ role through wider networks
spend time outside meetings getting to know and understand the College - events such as open days, ‘learning walks’, and celebrations are essential to well-informed decision making and situating governors more firmly within the College community
participate in training and development programmes – these are essential to ensuring governors stay up-to-date and able to discharge their responsibilities in a fast-changing environment