As our current Chair of the Governing Body completes their term, we seek a successor to lead Ambitious College during a pivotal time. The new Chair will guide our strategic direction, ensuring the Governing Body contributes effectively to our mission and meets all educational responsibilities in line with Ambitious about Autism's strategy. The Chair also plays a role on the organisation's board-level Education and Care Committee, influencing decisions that ultimately shape the future of the College. While financial and property management falls outside the Governing Body's remit, the Chair will be instrumental in overseeing the performance of the College in terms of quality, compliance with education and other requirements and stakeholder engagement.

You will work closely with governors, Ambitious about Autism's Education and Care Committee, the Head of College, and the Executive Head, providing leadership during a significant period of growth, development, change and opportunity.

Who we are looking for.

We are looking for an experienced leader committed to supporting autistic young people. Our new Chair will have experience on a Governing Body or Trustee Board. This voluntary role offers a rewarding opportunity to make a lasting difference in the lives of autistic young people, and we are looking for someone who is inclusive and who engages effectively and sensitively.

The landscape of SEND funding presents unique challenges. Local authorities continue to experience increasing financial pressures, which impacts SEND provision. A Chair with an understanding of the wider SEND sector is therefore essential. This could be from a leadership, governance or policy role in SEND.

Time commitment

The Governing Body meets once a term, plus an annual strategy meeting.

As Chair of Ambitious College's Governing Body, you will be a member of Ambitious about Autism's Education and Care Committee, which meets termly, usually online for 2-3 hours. Each term, we have twilight governor training for 1-2 hours.

As Chair, we encourage you to visit the campuses and attend occasional events. We expect the time commitment to be the equivalent of one day a month. This includes preparing for meetings and ad hoc conversations with governors, the Head of the College, the Clerk to the Governing Body and the Executive Head.

This is a rewarding role with the opportunity to make a lasting difference in the lives of autistic young people. If that speaks to you, then we'd love to hear from you.

For further information about the role, or to arrange a confidential discussion, please contact our advising consultant at Peridot Partners:

Jennifer Horan | jennifer@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07519 070497