What we do
Tyne Metropolitan College is a statutory corporation set up by order of the Secretary of State for Education and Skills under the Further and Higher Education Act 1992. The main purpose of Tyne Metropolitan College is to provide further and higher education and in some cases, secondary education to 14 and 15 year olds. The majority of the college's funding is made through grant-in-aid from the Learning and Skills Council under a financial memorandum.
Role of the Governors
As formally prescribed in the Articles of Government, the Corporation is responsible for:
- 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 institution;
- the effective and efficient use of resources, the solvency of the institution and the Corporation and safeguarding their assets;
- approving annual estimates of income and expenditure;
- the appointment, grading, suspension, dismissal and determination of the pay and conditions of service of the holders of senior posts and the Clerk, including, where the Clerk is, or is to be appointed as, a member of staff, the Clerk's appointment, grading, suspension, dismissal and determination of pay in the capacity of a member of staff;
- and setting a framework for the pay and conditions of service of all other staff
Governors, who are volunteers, make significant contribution to the strategic development and success of our college and being a Governor is both challenging and rewarding. Collectively, individual Governors contribute their professional, specialist and general skills and knowledge to the Corporation (an through its committees) in a non-executive role.
Duties, Role and Attributes
Upon appointment Governors sign up to the Code of Conduct for Corporation Members. The Code is a guide to indicate the standards of conduct and accountability which are expected of Corporation Members. The Code aims to promote effective, well-informed and accountable college governance, in particular through the seven principles laid down by the Committee on Standards in Public Life (Nolan Committee) for those holding public office, namely: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership as well as through the college's values which permeate through every aspect of college life.
Governance and Management
It is important to make a clear distinction between the governance and management of the college:
- the Corporation decides strategic policy and overall direction and monitors performance of the Principal and other senior post holders/Clerk to the Corporation
- the Principal implements the Corporation's decisions and manages the college's affairs within the budgets and framework agreed by the Corporation
It is essential for Governors to work together so that the Corporation and the Chief Executive perform their respective roles effectively.
Powers and Responsibilities
Governors play an active role in the high-level strategic planning processes of the college by contributing to:
- The development of the college's mission, vision and educational character
- The development of strategic priorities
- The setting of measurable targets
- The monitoring of achievement against objectives
- The development of plans to address major weaknesses
Governors are expected to:
- Comply with the Instrument and Articles of Government, the Corporation's Code of Conduct and Standing Orders and any other related governance policies and procedures
- Seek advice from the Clerk to the Corporation on matters of procedure related to Corporation business
- Achieve a high level of attendance at Corporation and committee meetings
- Generally serve on at least one standing committee of the Corporation
- Serve on ad-hoc working groups as needed
- Participate in induction and training, and strategic planning events
- Help new governors understand their role
- Improve their knowledge of the college through discussion with the Principal, Clerk to the Corporation and others, background reading and participating in events
- Develop links with a specific area of the college's curriculum or cross-college function and gain knowledge of the college's activities and progress against targets
- Participate in the annual self assessment process
