Founded in 1907 and situated in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, The Manor Preparatory School is an outstanding independent co-educational day school that welcomes around 380 boys and girls aged 2-11. With superb, purpose-built facilities centred around an attractive Georgian Manor House, The Manor offers a dynamic, happy and varied learning experience in which every child is challenged, cherished and inspired. The School has an annual income of circa £5m and employs around 110 staff.

The Manor is a non-selective school and prides itself on its excellent academic results, while strongly recognising and acknowledging that these results are only a part of the depth and breadth of what pupils achieve at the School. Its aim is to enthuse children with a love of learning and the desire to make the very most of all their abilities and opportunities, preparing them for the Senior School of their choice and, indeed, life beyond that. In its most recent Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) Inspection, The Manor received the highest possible rating of ‘Excellent’ in all areas.

What perhaps most distinguishes The Manor is its unique culture and ethos, which is lived out by all members of the School community, including the Governing Body. At its heart the School is a deeply caring yet challenging environment, in which all lifestyles, cultures and religions are respected, and in which the self-worth of each child is consciously fostered. The School is proudly inclusive, lacks pretention, and is eager to connect with the world beyond its walls through collaboration and engagement with the wider educational ecosystem.

Looking to the future, The Manor aspires to be the leading prep school of choice in the Vale of White Horse / South Oxfordshire and preserve its unique character for generations to come.

The Manor is governed by a Governing Body whose prime responsibility is to ensure that the School provides the best education for its pupils. The Governing Body has a duty to ensure its charitable objectives are adhered to. It comprises a group of people who voluntarily contribute a varied and differing range of experiences and skills applicable to the functions of the School. 

The full Governing Body meets four times during the year and at other times as required by the school's business. Much of the preparation for these meetings is undertaken by the Finance and General Purpose and the Premises sub-committees of the Board.

Governors focus on the three core functions of governance:

1. Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
2. Holding executive leaders to account 
3. Overseeing and ensuring effective educational and financial performance

Governor (Finance / Commercial)

Finance - the appointed candidate will ideally go on to Chair the Finance and General Purposes Committee. For that reason, they must be either qualified as an accountant, or have an MBA. Applicants from a wide range of backgrounds are welcome to apply. Applicants might be leading the finance function of an organisation - whether public, private or non-profit - or they could come from a professional services environment.

Commercial - applicants will ideally have worked at C-level in a business, or run a division of a business, with full P&L responsibility. They will bring a fundamentally commercial lens to the activities of the School.

Governor (Legal / HR)

Legal - applicants could come from a wide range of backgrounds, provided they have operated at a strategic level in a legal capacity. Exposure to charities and education organisations from a legal perspective would be considered an advantage, however this is not an essential requirement.

HR - similarly, applicants could come from a number of different areas provided they have operated in a strategic capacity. This could include sitting Directors of HR / People, or consultants with a specialism in the area. Experience in the education sector is not a requirement.  

Governor (Medical / Health and Safety)

The appointed candidate will provide strategic support and challenge to the Board and executive on matters relating to the health and safety of pupils. This role is currently undertaken by an experienced paediatrician, and applicants from a similar background are welcome. However, the Board is also open to individuals who have deep expertise in health and safety, particularly in environments that involve young people.

First-time non-executives are strongly encouraged to apply for any of the above roles, provided they have a clear, demonstrable understanding of the role of governance. Fundamentally, applicants must be aligned with The Manor's ethos and values and be committed to improving the School.

The profiles of existing Governors can be found here. 

The full Governing Body meets four times per year, in-person at the School in Abingdon, Oxfordshire. Governors are also expected to join one of the Board's Sub-Committees (Education, Marketing, Finance and General Purposes, Premises, or Health and Safety), which meet online once per term (three times per year). Meetings generally take place on weekday afternoons or evenings. Additionally, there is an expectation that Governors will visit the School from time to time to attend events and to get to know the teachers, staff, pupils and their families. The appointment is for a three-year term which can be renewed twice. This role is unremunerated but reasonable pre-agreed expenses will be reimbursed.

The Manor welcomes applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability. All appointments will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process. In line with the Equality Act 2010, however, the organisation may employ positive action where diverse candidates can demonstrate their ability to perform the role equally well.