This guide summarises the key legal and regulatory requirements that apply to FE corporations and sixth-form college corporations as charities providing education. It also summarises recommended practice.
The guide:
is for governors of FE corporations and sixth-form college corporations in England
provides essential information for governance professionals
Published 28 June 2022 Last updated 7 November 2024 +show all updates
Added a link to 'Sexual harassment and harassment at work: technical guidance (Equality and Human Rights Commission)' to the 'Equality, Diversity and Inclusion' section.
Updated the governance guide to align with the college financial handbook. Changes have been made to the sections on Managing conflicts of interest, Fraud and cyber security, Whistleblowing, Financial and estate management, Risk management and assurance and Executive pay.
Updated wording to reflect updated Prevent guidance.
Updated 'FE and sixth-form college corporations: governance guide'. Added a link to local skills improvement plans statutory guidance. Made updates to accountability agreements and local needs duty in 'duty to review provision' section. Clarified how often boards must conduct self-assessment in governance reviews section. Added resources to Further reading section, on positive behaviours and estate management.
Updated the section 'Investments and trading' following new Charity Commission guidance.
Updated FE and sixth-form college corporations: governance guide. Replaced references to 'funding agreements' with 'accountability agreements'. Amended equality, diversity and inclusion section to clarify Public Sector Equality Duty requirements. Added a link to the Education and Training Foundation's qualifications for governance professionals, in the section on a governance professionals specific role. Added a link to Department for Education guidance on asset disposals, in the further reading and resources.
Updated 'Executive pay' section to reflect new senior pay controls. Added new section on special educational needs and disabilities to 'Compliance'.
A link to HM Treasury's senior pay guidance has been added to the 'Executive pay' section. A link to the FE governor recruitment service has been added to the 'Recruiting and developing governors' section.
