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Governance Officer – Harbour School Dorset/Wyvern Academy (a brand new role to the Trust)
£27,274 – £29,071 per annum (actual salary for term time working £10,093 – £10,758) plus generous sick pay and eligibility to join the Local Government Pension Scheme
16 hrs per week, term time only. Attendance at governing board meetings is essential, otherwise the working pattern to be arranged by mutual agreement, but can be flexible.
Shape decisions. Strengthen governance. Help transform lives.
Southern Education Trust is seeking an exceptional Governance Officer to play a vital role at the heart of our organisation across two schools – Harbour School Dorset & Wyvern Academy. This is more than a support role, it is an opportunity to influence how decisions are made, ensure accountability at every level, and help create the conditions in which children and young people can thrive.
The role
As Governance Officer, you will be a trusted partner to Local Governing Boards, Headteachers and Trust leaders. You will bring clarity to complexity, structure to decision-making, and confidence to those leading our schools ensuring governance is not only compliant, but purposeful, informed and impactful.
Your Impact – You Will
- Guide and advise – providing expert support on governance, legislation and best practice
- Enable effective governance – ensuring meetings are focused, well-run and lead to clear actions
- Strengthen accountability – supporting governors to offer robust challenge and meaningful support
- Maintain excellence in compliance – ensuring records, policies and statutory duties are met with precision
- Build strong foundations – supporting recruitment, induction and development of governors
- Protect integrity – managing information with professionalism, confidentiality and care
Your work will ensure that governance remains focused on what matters most: improving outcomes for children and young people.
About You
You are organised, thoughtful and highly professional, with the confidence to work alongside senior leaders and governors.
You Will Bring
- Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail
- Strong written communication, including the ability to produce clear, concise minutes
- The ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines
- Confidence in building relationships and influencing with credibility
- Experience in governance, clerking, or a similar role (desirable), however full training can be provided if there’s a willingness to learn.
- Strong IT skills, including MS Office and digital systems
- Above all, you will bring integrity, sound judgement and a commitment to doing things well.
Why join us
- Be part of a Trust where values drive decisions and people matter
- Work in a collaborative, supportive and ambitious environment
- Access ongoing professional development and training
- Play a meaningful role in improving the life chances of children and young people
- Make governance matter
Your work will shape decisions. Your influence will strengthen leadership. Your contribution will help make lives better.
To find out more please contact Gill McDonald, Director of Governance Operations on [email protected].
Or to apply, please complete our Support Staff Application Form and returning it to [email protected]. Please see the Governance Officer Job Description and our HSD – Child Protection and Safeguarding-Policy and WVN – Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy for further information. As part of our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, we kindly ask all applicants to complete a short, anonymised form alongside their application.
Closing date: 21 May 2026
Interview date: 5 June 2026
The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, this role involves directly working with children and significant contact with children, and therefore we expect all staff and volunteers to share the same commitment. Please ensure a full work history is completed in your application form including any gaps of employment. Applicants will be required to complete satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check for this post prior to commencement. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974. The Trust is an equal opportunities employer.
If successfully shortlisted the HR Department will also be conducting an individual online search including social media platforms of your ‘name, education and employment’, to demonstrate due diligence following ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ guidance. The search will not form part of the actual shortlisting process and any concerns arising from the search will be discussed directly with you.
Further Information
Not Specified
About Us
Southern Education Trust is a growing Trust where everything we do is driven by our simple but powerful vision: Making Lives Better. Our values kindness, collaboration and creativity shape our culture, our relationships and our ambition for every child and out team.
Why join us
- Be part of a Trust where values drive decisions and people matter
- Work in a collaborative, supportive and ambitious environment
- Access ongoing professional development and training
- Play a meaningful role in improving the life chances of children and young people