Leading governance: development for Clerks

Level 3 Certificate in the Clerking of School and Academy Governing Boards

Accredited by the Chartered Governance Institute, this Level 3 qualification in the Clerking of School and Academy Governing Boards develops the knowledge and skills needed for high-quality clerking.

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100% would recommend the programme to others
100% said that they felt that the programme would have a positive impact on their work
Great course, feel that I have gained so much knowledge. Would 100% recommend to any clerk.

Paula Powder, Clerk to the governors, The Compton School
Very good course, which has boosted my confidence tremendously.

Shirley Jeffs, Governance and Compliance Officer, Infinity Academies Trust
My tutor's knowledge and experience was excellent and the quality of the materials overall excellent too. Overall, I found the course to be extremely useful in equipping me with the skills and knowledge to be an effective Clerk/Governance Professional. Most importantly having the increased skills and knowledge gave me more confidence in being able to provide advice and guidance and carry out my role.

Programme graduate, Spring 2025
I would like to say a huge thank you to my mentor, her incredible calm, encouraging manner and 'no question is a silly question' philosophy was definitely seen and helped encourage very open discussions. Her knowledge and guidance was outstanding and I am now more confident as I my knowledge has grown. The course structure and both online and offline documents are well structured and easy to follow, I will be referring to my course documents and reference material for a long time.

Programme graduate, Spring 2025
My tutor was an excellent mentor. I felt a good relationship was built with her which gave me the confidence to broach any areas and concerns within my learning with her. She was absolutely committed to aiding us with the knowledge and the tools to ensure we were successful. I thought she was a great mentor and I am really happy to have worked with her.

Programme graduate, Spring 2025
The zoom meetings were fantastic and my tutor was amazing at keeping the meeting running to time even when we all had so much to discuss. She was always able to provide real work situations and gently nudge and direct us if there was an area we were unsure of. I always came away feeling reassured that i wasn't the only one finding something tricky and managed to have a giggle at times. The only comment we always had was that we could talk for ages in the break out rooms, this was such a great use of time.

Programme graduate, Spring 2025
I found the Zoom workshops excellent as it gave me a chance to speak to other clerks and their experiences. It is amazing that we have built such a good peer group together which will continue well after the course has finished.

Paula Powder, Clerk to the governors, The Compton School
Progressing through and completing the programme had an immediate impact on the quality of my clerking. It also gave me a renewed enthusiasm and confidence in the role.
The face-to-face sessions were particularly informative, and I appreciated the opportunities to network with other clerks.

At a glance

This programme will include:

Eight 90-minute workshops

Virtual face-to-face sessions on clerking competencies

Dedicated mentor

To provide guidance and support

360 review

To highlight strengths and areas for development, with a repeat review to demonstrate impact

Interactive

E-learning modules and resources

Learn from others

Peer-to-peer and group learning

Supported throughout

A school-based project and learning log to record areas for focus and key learning points

about this course

Who is this suitable for?

Governance professionals and clerks with at least three months’ experience and currently working in any school or trust setting

about this course

What are the benefits?

This programme aims to develop and recognise clerking competencies by:

building your knowledge, skills and networks
creating a school-based project which is realistic in scope and should improve your clerking practice
enhancing your awareness of your own strengths and areas for development
establishing self-supporting groups to ensure learning and support continue beyond the programme
leading to an accredited qualification that recognises your competency development

about this course

How will you learn?

The Development for Clerks programme offers a blend of flexible learning and takes approximately nine months to complete
You will attend workshops led by experienced consultants and access effective one-to-one mentoring throughout
Learning will be both group-led and independent

about this course

What are the outcomes?

You will be able to fulfil the role of the modern professional clerk by:

understanding the key elements of effective governance
understanding governance structures, delegation, effective communication and the key areas for regulation and compliance
demonstrating the skills, knowledge and behaviours expected of an effective clerk, evaluating and improving your own practice
planning and recording meetings and the annual business of the board
being clear about your role in providing information, advice and guidance to the board
knowing when and how to deal with complex and challenging governance situations
building strong networks and relationships with your board, proactively supporting and developing board effectiveness

Programme journey

E-learning and self-study throughout – approximately three hours per week
Cohort induction and welcome: 30 minutes virtual face-to-face
360 review
Unit 1: Understanding governance (self-study scheduled between week 1 and 11 of the programme)
Unit 2: Role of the modern professional clerk (Two 90-minute virtual face-to-face workshops held over consecutive days scheduled between weeks 10 and 13 of the programme)
Mentor session 1 (45-minute phone or skype call scheduled between weeks 13 and 16 of the programme)
Unit 3: Administrative role of the clerk (Two 90-minute virtual face-to-face workshops held over consecutive days scheduled between weeks 17 and 22 of the programme)
Unit 4: Accountability, advice and guidance (Two 90-minute virtual face-to-face workshops held over consecutive days scheduled between weeks 23 and 28 of the programme)
Unit 5: Working together to ensure effectiveness (Two 90-minute virtual face-to-face workshops held over consecutive days scheduled between weeks 29 and 34 of the programme)
Workbook deadline
Mentor session 2 (45-minute phone or skype call scheduled between weeks 34 and 36 of the programme)
Award and celebration event

Upcoming dates

Summer 2025 (cohort 1) Start date: 15th May 2025

Date and time	Activity
15th May 2025	Programme start date
22nd May 2025 09:30-10:30	Cohort induction and welcome 60 minutes virtual face-to-face
Self study	Unit 1 Understanding governance essentials
9th July 2025 11:30- 13:00 & 11th July 2025 09:30- 11:00	Unit 2 Role of the modern professional clerk Two 90-minute virtual face-to-face workshops held over consecutive days
July 2025	Mentoring 1 Phone/Skype conversation: scheduled with mentor
2nd October & 3rd October 2025 09:30-11:00	Unit 3 Administrative role of the clerk Two 90-minute virtual face-to-face workshops held over consecutive days
11th December & 12th December 2025 09:30-11:00	Unit 4 Accountabilities, advice and guidance Two 90-minute virtual face-to-face workshops held over consecutive days
12th February & 13th February 2026 09:30-11:00	Unit 5 Working together to ensure effectiveness Two 90-minute virtual face-to-face workshops held over consecutive days
February 2026/March 2026	Workbook submission deadline
February 2026/March 2026	Mentoring 2

Dates may be subject to change.
Fees may be subject to change*

Book this cohort

Autumn 2025 (cohort 1) Start date: 17 September 2025

Date and time	Activity
17th September 2025	Programme start date
01 October 2025 09:30-10:30	Cohort induction and welcome 60 minutes virtual face-to-face
Self study	Unit 1 Understanding governance essentials
3rd December & 4th December 2025 09:30-11:00	Unit 2 Role of the modern professional clerk Two 90-minute virtual face-to-face workshops held over consecutive days
December 2025	Mentoring 1 Phone/Skype conversation: scheduled with mentor
28th January & 29th January 2026 09:30-11:00	Unit 3 Administrative role of the clerk Two 90-minute virtual face-to-face workshops held over consecutive days
22nd April & 23rd April 2026 09:30-11:00	Unit 4 Accountabilities, advice and guidance Two 90-minute virtual face-to-face workshops held over consecutive days
10th June & 11th June 2026 09:30-11:00	Unit 5 Working together to ensure effectiveness Two 90-minute virtual face-to-face workshops held over consecutive days
June 2026/July 2026	Workbook submission deadline
June 2026/July 2026	Mentoring 2