Wycombe Abbey seeks an organised, professional and highly discreet Clerk to Council to provide effective clerking and governance support to the School’s Council and its committees. This pivotal role ensures the smooth and compliant operation of the governing body, supporting strong governance in a leading independent school. Working closely with the Chair of Council, governors and senior leaders, the post holder will play a central role in enabling effective decision‑making and oversight.
Reports to: Chair of Council (with operational liaison with the Headmistress).
Contract: This is a part‑time, permanent contract. The first three months will be a probationary period.
Hours of Work: A total of 600 hours across the year (approx. 0.36 FTE), predominantly during term time. This role requires the post holder to adopt a flexible approach to working hours to match the rhythm of Council business. They must also be able to attend all meetings of Council, its committees and subsidiaries. Meetings are usually held at the School, or occasionally in London, but the successful candidate will be able to work from home or the School at other times.
Holiday: 30 days per annum, plus bank holidays (pro rata).
As Clerk to Council, you will play a crucial role in supporting the governance framework of the School. Responsibilities include preparing agendas and papers, advising on governance processes, attending meetings, producing accurate minutes, maintaining statutory and governance records, and supporting compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. This role is ideal for a highly organised individual with excellent attention to detail, sound judgement and the ability to handle confidential matters with professionalism and discretion.
Wycombe Abbey is a world class full‑boarding school for girls, located on a beautiful site in the centre of High Wycombe. With its distinctive heritage, magnificent 170‑acre campus and impressive resources, the School provides an outstanding education for 650 pupils aged 11–18.
We have been at the forefront of girls’ boarding education for over 125 years. Superb academic outcomes are the School’s hallmark and pupils regularly secure places at the most prestigious universities across the globe. Known for its world‑class education, Wycombe Abbey encourages curiosity, innovation, leadership and delight in learning among its pupils.
The School benefits from easy access to London (24 minutes to Marylebone), the Chiltern Hills and attractive towns such as Marlow, Henley‑on‑Thames and Beaconsfield. Heathrow is also just 20 miles away plus good transport links to other London airports.
Wycombe Abbey has its own salary scale which compares favourably with other independent schools and is well above that of the maintained sector.
Benefits of working at Wycombe Abbey include:
- Enrolment in the School’s generous pension scheme
- Fee school remission at Wycombe Abbey and selected prep schools
- Generous CPD training and development scheme
- Free parking
- Free meals
- Free use of the Sports Centre
- Free eye tests
- Access to the Employee Assistance Programme
How to apply
Please see the job profile document for full information about this role. Applicants should complete the TES application form and submit this with a covering letter addressed to the Headmistress, Mrs J Duncan. Should you have any questions then please do not hesitate to contact the HR Team on 01494 895575 or hr@wycombeabbey.com.
Closing date for applications: 2 June 2026
Interview date: w/c 15 June 2026
We reserve the right to appoint to this position before the closing date, should we receive a high volume of suitable early applications.
Wycombe Abbey 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. It is an offence to apply for this role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity with children.
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore all applicants are required to declare all unspent convictions and conditional cautions that are not protected as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2020).
We are an equal opportunities employer. Registered Charity No. 310638.
Wycombe Abbey is a Disability Confident Committed Employer.
