College Governors - Heart of Yorkshire Education Group

Governors: Finance, Digital/IT/AI and Teaching, Learning & Assessment Heart of Yorkshire Education Group Location: Castleford, Selby and Wakefield, with hybrid attendance where appropriate Remuneration: Voluntary, with reasonable expenses reimbursed Term: Up to four years Closing date: 2 November 2026 Interviews: w/c 16 November 2026 Heart of Yorkshire Education Group is seeking three new Governors to help shape the future of education and skills across the region. The Group brings together Castleford College, Selby College and Wakefield College, serving more than 10,000 students and apprentices. At an important stage in its development, it is focused on educational quality, financial resilience, digital transformation, employer engagement and meeting current and future regional skills needs. Governors provide independent oversight, informed scrutiny and constructive challenge. Working collectively with the Principal and senior leadership team, they help set the Group's strategic direction, oversee performance and risk, and ensure decisions deliver strong outcomes for learners, apprentices, employers and communities. We are looking to strengthen the Board's expertise in three areas: Finance We are seeking a professionally qualified accountant or an individual with equivalent senior finance experience. You will bring strong technical accounting knowledge and the confidence to scrutinise financial statements, management accounts, year-end accounts, financial planning and risk in detail. Digital, IT and AI We are seeking a senior leader with expertise in areas such as digital transformation, IT, artificial intelligence, cyber security, data, systems transformation or technology-enabled change. You will help the Board understand and challenge the Group's approach to digital strategy, cyber resilience, information governance, AI adoption, automation, systems investment and technology risk. You will bring a balanced perspective on innovation, ensuring it is purposeful, secure, ethical and aligned with the Group's priorities. Teaching, Learning and Assessment We are seeking someone with a strong strategic understanding of educational quality, curriculum planning, teaching, learning and assessment within further education. You may come from any curriculum specialism. Experience of curriculum strategy, quality improvement, learner achievement, inspection readiness, Ofsted assurance or digital learning would be particularly valuable. You will help the Board ensure that the Group's provision remains ambitious, inclusive and financially sustainable, responds to changing skills needs and delivers strong outcomes. What we are looking for Previous experience as a Governor is not essential. We are looking for people who can contribute confidently at Board level, ask thoughtful questions and work constructively as part of a collegiate governing body. All candidates should demonstrate:

• Strong critical reasoning and sound independent judgement
• The ability to engage in strategic, Board-level discussion and decision-making
• Excellent communication and influencing skills
• The ability to consider different perspectives and take collective responsibility for decisions
• A clear commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
• A commitment to public service and improving opportunities for learners and communities
• Time commitment The anticipated commitment includes:
• Corporation meetings once per term
• Membership of at least one Board committee
• An annual two-day strategy event
• Two additional afternoon strategy sessions each year
• Occasional college events and Governor development activities Most meetings take place on Tuesdays from approximately 3pm and include in-person attendance across Castleford, Selby and Wakefield. Hybrid attendance is available where appropriate.

Heart of Yorkshire Education Group welcomes applications from people with a wide range of backgrounds, identities and lived experiences. Applications are particularly encouraged from groups currently underrepresented in governance. Reasonable adjustments are available throughout the recruitment and selection process. How to apply Please submit:

• A CV of no more than two sides
• A cover letter of no more than two sides, explaining your suitability and how you meet the essential criteria
• A completed diversity monitoring form, which will be stored separately and will not be shared with the selection panel Applications should be sent to boardrecruitment@etfoundation.co.uk by 2 November 2026. For an informal conversation about the opportunity, please contact Cezanne Ritchie-Hutchinson, Sector Governance & Workforce Lead at the Education Training Foundation, at cezanne.ritchie-hutchinson@etfoundation.co.uk.