How to recruit a governance professional/clerk

Get everything you need to recruit your next clerk/governance professional from start to finish. Find guidance on advertising, interviews and appointing the successful candidate.

Last reviewed on 30 August 2024
School types: MaintainedSchool phases: AllRef: 3353
Contents
  1. You must have a governance professional/clerk
  2. Check what support is available to you
  3. Plan ahead
  4. Get your recruitment pack ready
  5. Advertise the vacancy
  6. Get a selection panel together
  7. Shortlist candidates
  8. Request references
  9. Hold interviews 
  10. Appoint the successful candidate

You must have a governance professional/clerk

This applies to both maintained schools and academies. 

This is explained in section 4.8 of the governance guide for maintained schools and in section 4.5.1 of the governance guide for academy trusts.

Check what support is available to you

Speak to your local authority (LA) or trust

You might not need to carry out the whole recruitment process yourself.

Speak to your LA or trust to see if they:

  • Will appoint a governance professional/clerk for you
  • Have a recommended process you should follow
  • Have specific recruitment literature they want you to use
  • Can support you during the process
  • Can help you with advertising 
  • Can put you in touch with any clerking services

For example, Torbay Council’s clerks toolkit sets out its recommended process for recruiting a clerk.

Decide whether to use a clerking service

This might be through your LA, or by getting in touch with an independent clerking service.