Governance
The college corporation is responsible for the overall functioning of Kirklees College.
The Corporation oversees the college’s strategic direction, financial performance and quality of service provided to learners and the community. The Corporation Board is made up of highly experienced individuals, who have extensive experience across industry, business, law, finance and the community, as well as students and staff.
The Corporation meets at least once each term to discuss the college’s strategy and its progress on key performance matters. The Corporation also has several governor committees which look at the college’s performance on finance and quality matters and in more detail at all key areas of the business.
Governors also play an active role in college life through support and advice, as well as attending events and promoting the good work the college does in the community.
The Corporation
Edward Highfield
Independent Member
Professional background
As Kirklees Council’s Director of Skills and Regeneration and with years of experience working in the skills economy space, Edward is perfectly positioned to help the College better engage with and respond to the national, regional and local skills agendas, and to meet the needs of employers. Edward is well-networked with local stakeholders and also has broad experience of strategic planning, organisational delivery, change management, and organisational responsiveness.
Special interests
National skills agenda and local skills needs
Inclusive economic strategy and community engagement
Corporation Roles
Appointed 20 September 2023
Curriculum Strategy Committee
Higher Education & Skills Link Governor
Strategic Priority Link Governor
Brendan Brown
Independent Member
Professional Background
Brendan is the Chief Executive at Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust CHFT, and has over 35 years’ experience working across health and social care sectors. He has a clinical and therapeutic background, with a track record for health and care leadership, and consistent improvements in the delivery of healthcare across hospital and community settings. Brendan is the Chair of the West Yorkshire Association of Acute Trusts and Chief Executive Senior Responsible Officer for workforce across the West Yorkshire Integrated Care System.
Brendan was also selected to participate in first cohort of The National Leadership Centre programme, a cabinet supported programme developed to enhance the social and economic well-being of the country by supporting the leaders of public services to work together across the public sector system.
Special Interests
Brendan is interested in leadership development, and the potential for partner organisations to work together as employers to create diverse opportunities for the communities we serve. This includes addressing the inequalities in education and employment provision and opportunity, and creating an environment in which our workforce of the future can truly thrive and flourish.
The Independent Director of Governance
Clause 4(1) of Schedule 4 to the Further & Higher Education Act 1992 provides that all Further Education Corporations must provide for the appointment of a ‘Clerk’ within their governing documents. Many colleges use a different title for the person who occupies this key statutory role; at Kirklees we call it the Director of Governance.
The Director of Governance is independent from management, in order to be able to offer impartial advice to the Corporation.
The main responsibilities of the Director of Governance are:
1. To support the Corporation in meeting high standards of governance and fulfilling legal or regulatory requirements.
2. To provide guidance on legal issues relating to governance, as well as the implications of policy or regulatory developments.
3. To advise the Corporation with regard to the operation of its powers.
4. To advise the Corporation with regard to procedural matters.
5. To advise the Corporation with regard to the conduct of its business.
As an independent officer of the Corporation, the Director of Governance plays a key role in ensuring that the college’s system of checks and balances operates effectively.
The Director of Governance is appointed by and accountable to the Corporation only. There is a clear separation of functions and lines of reporting and the main responsibility for managing the Director of Governance rests with the Chair of the Corporation.
The current Director of Governance & Compliance, Carol Tague, may be contacted at ctague@kirkleescollege.ac.uk.
Governance Documents
Corporation Board and Committee Minutes
Corporation Board
Academic Year 2024 - 2025
Academic Year 2023 - 2024
Meeting Minutes
Academic Year 2024- 2025
Academic Year 2023 - 2024
- Audit Commitee - 17 April 2024
- Audit Committee - 6 December 2023
- Curriculum Strategy Group - 6 December 2023
- Curriculum Strategy Group - 4 October 2023
- Curriculum Strategy Group - 24 February 2024
- Curriculum Strategy Group - 11 June 2024
- QPS Committee - 10 November 2023
- QPS Committee - 29 April 2024
- QPS Committee 3 April 2025
Other Documents
Corporation Documents
External Governance Review findings
In 2022, an external review of governance was undertaken by consultancy firm the Governance Forum. We are pleased to share their findings, as set out in this summary report below. The review looked at the culture and quality of discussion in board meetings; the quality and focus of meeting packs; and took a general overview of board performance via discussions with current Governors.
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Where development needs were identified, these were discussed and have informed our development plan. Across the majority of areas assessed, the Corporation showed strength and confidence. The board meeting observation demonstrated that the board is operating at a good level, while the review of meeting packs concluded that the papers presented to the board ranged from good to very good.
Terms of Reference
Written Resolutions
Academic Year 2024 - 2025
Could you be a Kirklees College Governor?
Whether you are an experienced trustee or board member or are looking to take your first step at board level, we want to hear from you. We need talented people to join our team who are well networked and will bring a high level of understanding of the barriers to learning many of our learners face.
You might be an environmental or digital guru, a community or faith leader, have expertise in policing or family law, have overcome barriers to learning yourself or have experience of promoting equality and diversity. Whatever your background, you will be a strong believer in the transformative power of education and will share our college values.
Information for Prospective Governors and Application Forms
Due to the loss of two valued and long-serving board members, we now seek to appoint a new Independent Governor at Kirklees College.
As well as being a member of the Corporation, the successful candidate will be invited to join one of the Corporation’s committees and can share their professional expertise, whilst providing appropriate challenge and scrutiny.
We would particularly like to hear from individuals with skills and experience in:
- Finance
- Estates/Property
- Law
- Digital
- Human Resources
To apply, please email the application form and EDI monitoring form to Carol Tague, Director of Governance and Compliance, ctague@kirkleescollege.ac.uk.
Please note that current students and staff are not able to apply for this role.Â