Founded in 1710 in Cripplegate, but now relocated in Hampton, The Lady Eleanor Holles School (LEH) is one of the oldest and most distinguished girls’ day schools in the UK. It educates young girls and women from the ages of 7-18 across LEH Junior School, Senior School and Sixth Form. LEH is committed to building a community of talented, intellectually curious and passionate students from a wide range of backgrounds through its generous bursary programme.

LEH is proud of the exceptional academic achievements of its girls but it combines impressive intellectual endeavour with enthusiastic engagement well beyond academia. Its students’ public exam results and sporting achievements are among the best in the country, its musical and dramatic activities place it among the best schools for young performers, and LEH has been chosen as the Independent Girls' School of the Year at the Independent School Awards (2021).

With a good Board and a dynamic and impressive Head Mistress, the School is in a strong position and looks to the future ambitiously. The School aims to further enhance the provision for its girls with a stronger focus on mental health and wellbeing, diversity and inclusion, and sustainability. It is committed to improving its impact on the local community, increasing its bursary provision, and developing its site further. LEH has also extended its brand internationally through the opening of LEH Foshan, an exceptional British curriculum day and boarding school located in China. There are no imminent plans to grow further but this offers an exciting opportunity for Board members to be involved in an exceptional school with a global brand.

LEH is looking to appoint new multiple Governors to its Board. Governors' primary responsibilities are to determine the overall direction and development of the School through good governance and clear strategic planning. They will ensure that the School complies with its governing documents, charity law, company law and all other relevant legislation and regulations. Governors will be expected to perform a supervisory oversight role.  

The main duties of a Governor are to act in the best interest of the School, beneficiaries and future beneficiaries at all times in accordance with the governing documents. They will work in accordance with the rest of the Board to agree the strategic direction of the School and ensure it achieves its educational goals. Governors are also responsible for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young persons the School is responsible for. They will maintain sound financial management of the School’s resources, ensuring expenditure is in line with its objectives, and investment activities meet accepted standards and policies whilst ensuring that all risks to the School and its assets are identified and appropriate steps established to mitigate against those risks.

LEH seeks to appoint new Governors across a range of areas of expertise. The Board are interested to engage with senior individuals across one or more of the following areas:

• Finance (preferably a chartered accountant/senior audit professional)
• Safeguarding/mental health/wellbeing
• Education (a senior leader from either the UK state or independent sector)
• Legal (property/estates and contracts)
• HR
• Equality and diversity

Successful candidates will understand how to guide/influence at a senior level in their chosen area. They will be collaborative, strategic and have the ability to constructively challenge in a supportive manner. They must be excellent communicators and should have a strong interest in the power of girls’ education and LEH’s mission and values. LEH strongly encourages individuals from under-represented backgrounds to apply.

Candidates must be based in the UK and must not be current parents of the School.

These roles are unremunerated, but pre-agreed reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed. The time commitment for a Governor role consists of four Board meetings per year, and Governors will be asked to join at least one Committee and attend one Strategy away day per year. Governors will also need to dedicate some time to ad hoc engagement with the Board when required. As Governors are expected to visit the school in-person a number of times a year, the successful candidate will be UK-based. Governors shall hold office for a period of four years with the possibility to be renewed for a second term. Lady Eleanor Holles is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check.

The time commitment is 4 Board meetings per year as well as joining a minimum of 1 Committee (2-4 meetings per year). There is also a Strategy day.

The School welcomes applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith, disability or socio-economic background. As those from an ethnic minority background are currently under-represented on the Board, applications from those individuals would be particularly encouraged. All appointments will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process.