All academy trusts and maintained schools must appoint a Clerk to Governors/Governance Professional to their governing board as set out in their articles of association or in regulations, as appropriate. These legal documents define a specific set of functions and duties for the clerk, but do not provide a full description of professional clerking.

Professional clerking is about ensuring the efficient functioning of the board by providing:

• administrative and organisational support
• guidance to ensure that the board works in compliance with the appropriate legal and regulatory framework, and understands the potential consequences for non-compliance
• advice on procedural matters relating to the operation of the board