This is a rewarding opportunity to contribute your professional expertise to an organisation that has a significant impact on learners, employers and communities across South Yorkshire.
Who we are
Barnsley College is one of the largest and most successful further education colleges in the region, serving more than 10,000 learners each year across a diverse curriculum from entry level through to higher education and apprenticeships. Our mission is simple: Transforming Lives.
As a key anchor institution within South Yorkshire and a vital contributor to the Barnsley 2030 vision, we play a central role in developing skills, supporting social mobility, strengthening communities and helping local employers thrive. Through our network of specialist campuses and centres of excellence, we deliver high-quality education and training that responds to both learner aspirations and workforce needs.
The College currently educates more than 5,000 16-19 learners, over 1,500 apprentices and more than 1,000 adult learners. Our provision spans A Levels, vocational qualifications, T Levels, apprenticeships, higher education and specialist support for learners with additional needs. Achievement rates remain above national averages, learner satisfaction is exceptionally high and we continue to build a strong reputation for educational excellence and innovation.
Our ambitious strategy is built around four core pillars: Quality, Curriculum, Sustainability and Reputation. These priorities underpin our commitment to delivering outstanding outcomes for learners while making a positive contribution to the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of our communities.
About the role
As an Independent Governor, you will join a highly regarded Board responsible for setting the strategic direction of Barnsley College and ensuring the organisation remains effective, well managed and financially sustainable. Governors work collectively to safeguard the College’s educational character, oversee performance and hold senior leaders to account for delivering against the College’s mission and ambitions.
This is a rewarding opportunity to contribute your professional expertise to an organisation that has a significant impact on learners, employers and communities across South Yorkshire. Governors provide strategic oversight, constructive challenge and independent assurance, helping to ensure that decisions are informed, evidence-based and focused on long-term success.
Board members may also participate in committees, working groups and strategic reviews, supporting the College in areas such as finance, audit, risk, curriculum, community engagement, workforce development and organisational performance. Through this role, you will help shape the future of a major educational institution while contributing to economic growth, social mobility and community wellbeing.
The role is voluntary, with reasonable expenses reimbursed, and requires a commitment to regular Board meetings, preparation, training and wider College engagement activities.
Who we are looking for
We are seeking values-driven individuals who are passionate about education, opportunity and community impact. Successful candidates will bring senior-level experience, sound judgement and the ability to contribute strategically to Board discussions while supporting robust and effective governance.
We are particularly interested in individuals with expertise in Finance, specifically:
- Financial leadership within the public sector or a regulated environment.
- Financial reporting, audit, assurance, pensions, treasury management or long-term financial planning.
- Risk management, internal controls and regulatory compliance.
- Strategic oversight of resources, value for money and organisational sustainability.
In addition, all governors should be able to:
- Think strategically and contribute to long-term organisational planning.
- Provide appropriate support, challenge and assurance to senior leaders.
- Analyse complex information and make informed decisions.
- Work collaboratively as part of a diverse Board.
- Communicate effectively and build positive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
- Understand the distinction between governance and operational management.
We are committed to creating a Board that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve and particularly welcome applications from individuals who can bring different perspectives, lived experiences and backgrounds to our governance.
Time commitment
Governors typically commit around 10-12 hours per month to the role. This includes attending Board and committee meetings, reviewing papers, participating in training and development activities, and supporting occasional College events and strategic initiatives.
The Board meets ten times a year through a combination of online (1hr) and in-person meetings (2hr), with additional opportunities to contribute through committees, link governor responsibilities and deep dives.
Peridot Partners and Barnsley College are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and our client expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references before any final offer can be made.
To view the role description and person specification, please go to the ‘How to Apply’ tab above, fill in your details and download the candidate pack.
For further information or to arrange a confidential discussion, please contact our advising consultant at Peridot Partners:
Dan Baxter | dan@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07939 994524
Welcome from the Chair
Dear Candidate,
Welcome to Barnsley College. As one of the main providers of education and skills in the region, the College plays a vital role in supporting students, communities and businesses across Barnsley and South Yorkshire.
Our vision is to transform lives, not only through the skills, qualifications and opportunities we provide for our students, but also through our contribution to staff, employer partners and the communities we serve.
Barnsley College has a broad and diverse offer, supporting around 10,000 students each year across Further Education, A Levels, apprenticeships, adult learning and Higher Education. Following our merger with Northern College in March 2026, our reach has grown even further, strengthening our adult education offer and bringing together two organisations with a shared commitment to changing lives through education.
Our success would not be possible without our fantastic staff, strong partnerships with employers, schools, community organisations and government, and our continued investment in our people, curriculum and facilities. We want to ensure that what we offer continues to meet the needs of our students, the local community and the wider region.
The Board of Governors and the College leadership team work closely to set the organisation’s strategic direction and ensure we continue to deliver on our ambitions. Our three strategic pillars – Quality, Curriculum, and Sustainability – provide the framework for this work and help us remain focused on what really matters most.
We know that strong leadership and governance are fundamental to the College’s continued success. Our recent External Board Review concluded that the Board is inquiring, proficient and has a positive impact on College strategy, effectiveness, and outcomes. The College’s governance model has also been recognised nationally, including through the AoC Beacon Award for Excellence in Governance in 2024, but we are not complacent. As the College continues to develop, it is important that our Board also continues to evolve and benefits from a wide range of skills, experience and perspectives.
As Chair, I am extremely proud of Barnsley College and the role it plays within our community. We want Barnsley to be proud of its College, our partners to be proud to work with us and, most importantly, our students to be proud of the education and experience they receive here.
We always look ahead and challenge ourselves to do more. Recruiting and developing exceptional Governors is an important part of that, and we are looking for people who share our ambition and commitment to ensuring Barnsley College continues to make a positive difference to the lives of the people it serves.
Yours sincerely,
Marie Lang
Chair of the Board of Governors
About Barnsley College
Join Barnsley College, one of the region’s most successful further education colleges, as we seek to appoint a new governor to bring their expertise and support this outstanding college as we strive to deliver excellent outcomes that transform our students’ lives.
Barnsley College is a leading education and skills provider in South Yorkshire, supporting thousands of students each year from across Barnsley and the wider region. With a broad and diverse curriculum, we offer opportunities for learners at every stage, including A Levels, T Levels, vocational programmes, apprenticeships, adult learning, higher apprenticeships and university-level study.
Following our merger with Northern College, our provision has grown further, strengthening our offer for adult and residential learning alongside our existing Further and Higher Education programmes.
Across our 17 specialist campuses, students benefit from high-quality teaching, industry-standard facilities and a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment designed to help them develop the skills, knowledge and confidence they need to progress.
We recognise that our Governance plays a vital role in our success as we strive for continuous improvement. As such, we now seek to appoint a new Governor to join our board. We welcome applications from candidates who will bring new expertise, differing perspectives and robust challenge. We look forward to appointing a candidate who can help ensure that we continue to deliver the very best we can for our students, people and the communities we serve.
Who we are
We deliver exceptional teaching and learning with a clear purpose: to ensure our students achieve their ambitions, progress into employment or further study, and enjoy a positive and enriching experience while they are with us. We are equally proud of the opportunities we create for our staff and of the strong relationships we have built with employers, partners and communities across Barnsley and the wider region.
We pride ourselves on being responsive, innovative and closely connected to industry. Across 17 campuses and more than 72,000 square feet of estate, our students learn in specialist, industry-standard environments, including our newly transformed £19 million Barnsley College University Centre, which is home to our South Yorkshire Institute of Technology provision. Our 37 Employer Academies strengthen the connection between education and industry and have contributed to national recognition through the AoC Beacon Awards for employer partnerships. As a key partner in Barnsley Tech Town, we are also passionate about embedding digital skills and AI across our curriculum and teaching and learning environments, ensuring our students and staff are prepared and equipped with the skills and confidence needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.
Learn more about Barnsley College
Accessibility information
Barnsley College is committed to creating an inclusive and accessible environment for all. We want everyone to access our information, services and opportunities, regardless of disability or individual needs. We continually work to improve the accessibility of our website and digital content, and we welcome requests for information in alternative formats or for reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.
We offer the following amenities:
- Step-free access to the building, all key meeting rooms and bathrooms, and an accessible workstation
- Accessibility dogs are welcome
- Papers and materials can be presented in different formats
- A sign language interpreter can be accessed for the interview
- Working patterns and locations can be adjusted
The most recent reasonable adjustment request was to receive the interview questions in advance.
All College employees can have a Display Screen Equipment Assessment completed by the Health & Safety Department if required; this can be extended to Governors. This is normally highlighted either upon recruitment (completion of Occupational Health Questionnaire), or following the mandatory online Display Screen Equipment Training. Employees and/or Governors can also contact us directly if they need reasonable adjustments to access their workstation or place of work.
Please note, we ideally want governors to attend meetings in person; however, on occasion, if this is not possible, they can join via Teams, but this should not be usual practice.
Based on our latest EDI workforce data (August 2026), the College employs 913 staff (780.5 FTE). The workforce is predominantly female (65.9%), with women particularly well represented in academic support and business support roles. Men account for 34.1% of staff. [EDI data August 2026 | Excel]
In terms of ethnicity, 6.1% of employees identify as Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic (BME). Staff are drawn from a broad range of age groups, with the largest proportions aged 50-59 (23.9%), 40-49 (23.5%) and 30-39 (22.5%), demonstrating a balanced age profile across the workforce. [EDI data August 2026 | Excel]
The College is committed to supporting colleagues with disabilities, and 11.2% of staff have declared a disability. Among those who have provided further information, the most commonly reported disabilities relate to physical impairments, learning difficulties and mental ill health.
To arrange a confidential discussion, please contact our advising consultant at Peridot Partners:
Dan Baxter | dan@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07939 994524
Thank you for your interest in this role. Please download the Role Description and Person Specification.
To formally apply, please submit a CV and supporting statement (ideally maximum 2 sides of A4 each) that clearly outlines your suitability for the role against the criteria provided in the person specification, including your interest and motivation in applying for this position.
Please include your home address, contact email and mobile.
Please ensure that your application is emailed to response@peridotpartners.co.uk, inserting “Application: Barnsley College — Governor” into the subject field. You will receive an acknowledgement of receipt within 2-3 days. If you do not receive an acknowledgement, please contact our admin team.
For further information about the role or to arrange a confidential discussion, please contact our advising consultant at Peridot Partners:
Dan Baxter | dan@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07939 994524
As a sector-leading executive search consultancy, we know the importance of creating recruitment processes that are fair, inclusive and free from bias. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a process that values differences.
If you require any job information in an alternative format (e.g. large print), please contact the lead consultant. Please also let us know if you would like to submit your application in an alternative format.
Applicants with disabilities are welcome to contact us in confidence at any stage of the recruitment process to discuss any reasonable adjustments or support that may be required to ensure fair and equal participation.
Recruitment selection processes are based on evidence of competence stated in the person specification and in relation to our values.
Timetable
Closing date: 9 a.m. Monday 19th October
Candidates informed of outcome: Thursday 5th November
Interviews: Wednesday 18th November
Equal Opportunities Monitoring
Peridot and Barnsley College are committed to promoting equality and diversity. To help us raise awareness and support a culture that is diverse and recognises and develops the potential of all, we need to appreciate the profile of candidates who apply for positions. We will send you an equality monitoring survey at the point of receiving your application and at the time of placement. This ensures that our processes remain inclusive and equitable throughout, and provides us with important data to help us showcase our impact.
The information will be treated confidentially and anonymously and will help us to support our commitment to fair recruitment practice. All information provided will be held in the strictest confidence and will not be shared with anyone, in line with the Data Protection Act 2018 launched on 25 May 2018.
The information provided does not form part of the decision-making process and will not affect your application. Learn more about why we collect this data here.
Data Processing, Protection and Privacy Policy
By completing the form to view, or if you have access to this page from an email invitation, Peridot Partners will have processed your personal information. For more information about Peridot Partners’ data processing activities and your rights, please read our Privacy Policy.
