The Heart of Yorkshire Education Group corporation (the ‘Group Board’ or ‘Board of Governors’) is an independent further education corporation established under the Further and Higher Education Act 1992.
The Group Board provides oversight, strategic direction, and governance to ensure the effective and responsible operation of the Group across all three of its colleges, operating always in accordance with the framework of rules and responsibilities set out in its Instrument and Articles of Government.
External Governance Review
Further Education Colleges are required by the terms of their funding agreements to undergo an external governance review every three years. The AoC was instructed by the College to carry out this review which took place between January and April 2024. In its final report, the AoC concluded:
“The overall conclusion on Board effectiveness is that there is strong evidence that the Board is highly proficient and consistently impacts positively on college strategy, effectiveness, and outcomes.”
To address the limited number of recommendations made by the AoC, the Board approved an action plan, a link to which can be found below. The action plan will be updated over the coming months as the suggested improvements are implemented.
pdf External Governance Review Action Plan (109 KB)
- A Message From the Chair of Governors
The Group Board comprises up to 20 members and includes students, staff and independent governors recruited for their skills, expertise, community and business links. The majority of its members live, work, or have links within the varied communities that the Group’s colleges serve.
As an inclusive Group Board, applications are welcomed from individuals of all ages, cultural backgrounds and beliefs. Governors may have experience in business, community or social work with charities, financial or legal practice, or even be an entrepreneur. What is important is that all Governors must be committed to making the Group a place which improves the lives of all people in the communities it serves.The Group Board determines its membership within the restraints which are clearly set out in the Instrument and Articles of Government.
The responsibilities of the Board as defined by its Articles of Government cover key areas of the Group’s activity including:
- The determination of the educational character and mission of the institution and the oversight of its activities.
- Publishing arrangements for obtaining the views of staff and students on the determination and periodic review of the educational character and mission of the institution and the oversight of its activities.
- Approving the quality strategy of the organisation.
- The effective and efficient use of resources, the solvency of the institution and the corporation and for safeguarding their assets.
- Approving annual estimates of income and expenditure.
- The appointment, grading, pay and conditions of service of the holders of senior posts.
- Setting a framework for the pay and conditions of service of all other staff.
The Group Board is supported in the fulfilment of its responsibilities by committees to which specific duties have been delegated. The framework of rules and duties applicable to each committee are set out in their Terms of Reference. These committees are as follows:
- Audit Committee (which ensures compliance an accountability through audit processes).
- Curriculum and Quality Committee (which focusses on maintaining and enhancing educational quality).
- Finance People and Resources Committee (responsible for financial oversight and resource management).
- Remuneration Committee (which manages compensation and benefits for senior staff).
- Search and Governance Committee (responsible for overseeing the recruitment and appointment of governors and matters of governance).
The Board of Governors takes great pride in the Group’s ethos of treating every student as an individual and striving to meet their needs not just academically, but personally and socially, regardless of their starting point in life. The education landscape is constantly changing, and the Board of Governors supports the Group in adapting to those changes for the benefit of its students, staff and the communities it serves.
Andrew McConnell
Chair of Governors - Governance & Statutory Documents