Governors are responsible corporately for the good management, policies and strategic direction of the College and for the proper use of the public funds entrusted to it

There are 18 governors, all of whom give freely of their time and expertise to help run Joseph Priestley College, lead by Julie Drake, the Chair of the Governing Body. The Governing Body usually meets five times per year. The College is fortunate to have a supportive and lively Governing Body, with representation from business and industry, the Schools and Higher Further sectors and community groups; staff and learners are also represented. 

Staff Members (2)

Vicky Buckle, Liz Wordley 

Student Members (2)

Other Members (11) 

Julie Drake (Chair)
Tina Turnbull (Vice Chair)
Zaheda Khanam
Bill Lumsden
Orysia Mackenzie
Rachelle Sanderson
Roger Seeney
Fred Sharman
Cllr Joe Tetley
Basil Thompson
Martyn Walker 

Principal

Sally Blunt

Our Governing Body is responsible for:

• Determining the educational character and mission of the college and for the oversight of its activities;
• The effective and efficient use of resources, the solvency of the College and for safeguarding its assets;
• Approving annual estimates of income and expenditure;
• The appointment, grading, suspension, dismissal and determination of the pay and conditions of service of the holders of senior posts and the Clerk to the Corporation;
• For setting a framework for the pay and conditions of service of all other staff.

There are 5 Governing Body Committees which help shape and monitor the college's activity, these are: Audit, Resources, Search, Remuneration and Curriculum and Quality. 

The College's Governing Body conducts its business in as open a way as possible and makes information about its operation as accessible as possible. 

The documents available are: Standing Orders, Code of Ethics, Code of Conduct, Whistleblowing Policy, Access to Governing Body business and public access to its meetings, Governing Body and Search Committee agendas, minutes and papers; Register of Interests of Members of the Governing Body and Senior Staff at the College.

The College also has a policy, required under the Freedom of Information Act, which means that all the documents of the College are made public. 

Every Committee of the Governing Body undertakes an annual assessment, to ensure that its terms of reference are relvant and appropriate, and that the committee is performing in accordance with its full remit.  A report on each self assessment is reviewed by the full Governing Body.  Each member of the senior management team is appraised annually; the Principal is appraised by the Chair and Vice Chair.  These appraisals feed into the annual review of the salaries of senior postholders, against College targets and strategic objectives, undertaken by both the Remuneration Committee and the Governing Body.

The Governing Body itself also undertakes a formal performance evaluation each year, to ensure that its composition, conduct and structures for decision-making and debate are fit to meet the challenges facing the College and its whole leadership team. 

SEARCH COMMITTEE

The Governig Body's Search Committee has a general remit to keep under review the composition of the Corporation, determine an overall governor recruitment strategy informed by the College's Mission and Strategic Plan, and recommend candidates to the Governing Body to fill Corporation vacancies.  The Governing Body has approved a Governor Recruitment Policy, to supplement the provisions within the Instrument of Government (copies are available from the Clerk) and the Search Committee follows this overall framework in considering vacancies, appointments and re-appointments.  The Committee meets at least twice a year, with ad hoc meetings scheduled to interview candidates and review any unexpected vacancies.  All applicants for vacancies are interviewed by the Search Committee and their appointment scrutinised prior to a recommendation being made to the full Governing Body.  Governors in all categories have a four-year term of office (and are eligible for re-appointment at the end of their team of office) but must complete an annual declaration indicating their continuing eligibility to serve.       

If you would be interested in becoming a governor, would like more information about the Governing Body or would like copies of the audited accounts or any of the documents mentioned above, please contact Ian Carass, Clerk to the Corporation:

Ian Carass
Clerk to the Corporation
Beeston Campus
Burton Avenue
Leeds
LS11 5ER

Tel: 0113 3076 174