Make a difference to skills in Norfolk as a governor of our college

About us

City College Norwich is the largest further education college in East Anglia with around 10,000 students studying across three campuses; City College Norwich (central Norwich), Paston College (North Walsham) and Easton College (6 miles west of Norwich).

Our college has been serving the communities of Norwich and Norfolk for over 130 years, and on our Paston College site, we are continuing an educational legacy that goes back to 1604.

In the academic year 2022/23, we taught and supported in their learning 5,500 16-18-year-olds, 1,600 apprentices, 1,100 adult learners and 700 Higher Education students via a partnership with the University of East Anglia (UEA). 

View our courses

The scale of our contribution to the educational landscape in the county is significant: In 2022/23, 31% of all 16- 19 year-old students who lived in Norfolk studied at one of our campuses with this number including over 50% of the young people of Norwich. 

Our College is rated as “good” by Ofsted, with outstanding support for students with significant learning difficulties and disabilities. Central to our work is our focus on supporting  students from lower socio-economic groups that make up a significant proportion of our students. Strong links with employers is crucial to ensuring that our courses are relevant and lead to positive progression for our students. We work closely with businesses in every sector of the local economy to make sure that we are delivering the skills and training they need – now and in the future.  

Our values

Our College Strategy is underpinned by a set of values, our 'Ways of Working' which all staff, students and Governors are expected to demonstrate in their interactions with college colleagues and external partners.

The governing body promotes a positive culture which supports ethical behaviour, equality, inclusivity and diversity across the College, including in the governing body’s own operation and composition. Diversity in this context does not just mean protected characteristics – it includes a diversity of voice, attitude and experience. It is a means of ensuring that under-representation and differences in outcomes are challenged and, where practicable, followed by a course of corrective action that ensures fair outcomes for all.   

Please read on and if you feel that you have something to offer, please get in touch, we encourage applications in joining our Board from all members of the community.  

About the role

We are looking for dedicated and passionate people who will join our highly skilled Board, contributing their professional, specialist and general management skills to the Corporation (and its Committees) in a non-executive role to ensure that the College is the best it can be for all our students and apprentices.

We are looking for people who have experience of working at a senior level; reading, absorbing and analysing detailed information, making decisions, developing strategic approaches, short/medium and or long-term planning with an ability to question constructively and challenge propositions and in encouraging others to do so.  Above all, an interest in the training and education of young people and adults in Norfolk and in further education generally is essential.

We are currently looking for individuals with a working knowledge around the delivery and quality assurance of further education, apprenticeships and/or higher education.  In addition, our Board would be strengthened by people with skills and experience of working in finance, accountancy and/or audit, in estates & property management, in legal practice and in human resources. We always welcome the addition of individuals with experience in some of the key employment sectors in Norfolk, such as agriculture and food production, IT, tourism, hospitality and catering and clean energy. Experience of working in a regulated environment would be beneficial.   

We are looking to appoint up to 5 Governors. 

Role Description for Governors

The role of Governors (collectively, as the Corporation) is to set the strategic direction and framework within which the College operates, monitor results, and support the College to provide a high quality and effective learning experience for everyone who attends the College.

Governors are not directly involved in the day-to-day management of the College but have six principal responsibilities:

• to determine the educational mission and character of the College;
• to approve the quality strategy;
• to be satisfied as to the effective and efficient use of resources;
• to approve the annual budget;
• to appoint the Principal and determine their pay and conditions;
• to set the framework for pay and conditions of service for all other staff

The term of office for Governors is for 4 years, with the possibility of a further term of 4 years.  Over the next two years a number of our current Governors will complete their service and stand down from the Board. We are therefore actively searching for additional Governors to join our Board in 2024 to take the College forward through the rest of the decade. 

Governors will be provided with a full induction package, providing relevant information on the College, the Governors and Senior Management Team, the world of FE and HE, wider policy and strategic considerations in the sector, the role of Governors and what makes for Good Governance.  The role of Governor is not remunerated.  

Governors will be supported throughout their time at the college with training, development and mentoring.  

What’s the commitment?

As a Governor, you would be asked to attend and prepare for:

• at least 6 Corporation meetings per year (generally on a Tuesday afternoon commencing at 4pm for approximately two and a half hours).
• at least 2 Strategy and Board development days per year.
• participate in at least one Committee; Business, Curriculum and Standards, Audit and Risk (who meet at least 6 times per year).
• attend College events on an ad hoc basis such as concerts and shows, open evenings and achievement
• meet with external stakeholders as and when appropriate.
• participate in and undertake in the Governor induction, training and development as appropriate to your role.
• prepare for all meetings. Governors have access to an online Board Portal, which contains the agenda and papers for meetings, which are released to Governors a week in advance of each meeting, to allow opportunity for Governors to fully prepare.

This will equate to a commitment of around 1.5 days a month (during term time). 

How to apply

Applications are welcomed from all backgrounds and experiences, and we hope that the information contained within this page encourages you to apply to become a City College Norwich Governor.  

Should you have any questions about the role, please contact Jodie Mitchell (Director of Governance and Legal) at jodie.mitchell@ccn.ac.uk.     

If you would like to become a CCN Governor, please send a Letter of Application together with a short CV, to Jodie Mitchell by Monday 11 March 2024.  Shortlisted Applicants will be contacted following receipt of their Application to arrange a suitable time to visit the College for an interview with the Principal or a member of the Senior Management Team, the Chair or Vice Chair, a Governor and the Director of Governance and Legal.  There will be an opportunity to have a tour of the College at this time. This is anticipated to take place between 18 March – 12 April 2024. 

Appointment of Governors has to be made by the Board and we hope to inform successful applicants in May 2024.