Terms of Reference for the Search and Governance Committee
Approved by the Governing Body on 21 May 2026
Constitution and Membership
The Governing Body is responsible for establishing this committee and for appointing its members. The Chair of the Governing Body shall be the Chair of this committee. The Vice-Chair of the Governing Body, Principal and one student governor are also to be members of this committee. One other Governing Body member can be appointed. The minimum number of members is three and a quorum is two members.
Authority
The committee is authorised by the Governing Body to:
- Seek suitable members for the Governing Body within the statutory constitution and composition of the Governing Body and to recommend such potential members to the full Governing Body for approval or otherwise.
- Advise the Governing Body on all matters relating to governance arrangements and ensure that the College’s values are upheld.
Proceedings
The Committee shall meet at least twice a year.
Duties
The duties of the Committee will include:
- Advising the Governing Body on all governance matters, including the:
- Composition of the Governing Body and the filling of vacancies based on the appropriate diversity of skills, experience and backgrounds;
- Appointment and re-appointment of governors other than the Principal;
- Establishment and dissolution of committees, their membership and Terms of Reference; and
- Performance review of the Chair and members of the Governing Body;
- Determining the following:
- Roles and responsibilities of governors including office holders;
- The induction, training and development of governors and succession planning;
- Arrangements for the appointment of the Chair, Vice-Chair and other office holders; and
- Procedures relating to the Governing Body and Senior Post Holders:
- Senior Post Holder Appointment Procedure
- Senior Post Holder Disciplinary Procedure
- Senior Post Holder Grievance Procedure
- Appointment of New Governing Body Members Procedure
- Committee Co-option Process
- Process for appointing a new Chair/Vice-Chair
- Governing Body and Co-opted Members’ Disciplinary Procedure
- Analysing the results of the annual Governing Body self-assessment exercise and taking appropriate action(s);
- Undertaking an annual skills audit of the Governing Body and its committees to identify any gaps and seek to appoint new members with these skills;
- Receiving and reviewing annual attendance records. The committee will determine the appropriate action if a Governing Body member’s attendance is below the required level. If it is deemed appropriate to terminate a Governing Body/co-opted membership, this will be done via a recommendation to the Governing Body;
- Reviewing and, where appropriate, making recommendations to the Governing Body regarding the Instrument & Articles of Government, Standing Orders, Code of Conduct and the Register of Interests;
- Reviewing and, where appropriate having sought the view of the Governing Body, respond to consultations from external bodies that relate to governance issues;
- Considering all governance issues resulting from internal and/or external reviews of the College and ensure that appropriate action is taken;
- Monitoring and advising the Governing Body on arising governance issues;
- Considering any governance issues referred to it by the Governing Body or any other committee;
Reporting Procedures
The Clerk will report the actions and recommendations of this committee at the next scheduled Governing Body meeting via the standing agenda item “Governance Matters”
The minutes of the committee shall be provided to the Governing Body via the Clerk to the Governing Body.
Reviewed by the Clerk: January 2026
Reviewed by the Search & Governance Committee: January 2025
Approved by the Governing Body: 21 May 2026
Date of next review: May 2028
