Application Process

Who should apply?

As a leadership development organisation we are seeking applications from a broad mix of people who currently hold a leadership position and want to improve their skills. This could be a voluntary position, like a youth group, or a CEO of a company.

We can all be leaders in society and in our own communities. This doesn't mean everyone running for parliament, but looking at the community around them, the organisation they work in or the college they go to, and considering what they can do to make it better. Society thrives on active citizens and social capital. By reclaiming the word 'leader' for all of us, and not just some far-away elite, we give ourselves the opportunity to live in the type of society that we want to, not the one we happen to find ourselves in. This is not only empowering, but an exciting and challenging way to discover new talents and meet new people.

We are looking for candidates who will contribute to the breadth of experience and sector across a participant group.

The Role of the Advisory Group

Advisory Groups are a cross-sector group of individuals who help our staff teams by keeping them up to date with developments in their sector and locality.

Local Advisory Groups are advisory only. They have no legal, financial, or managerial responsibility for Common Purpose. Nor are they representative bodies. All Advisory Group members attend as individuals in a voluntary and unpaid capacity which they are invited to take on in their personal, rather than professional, roles. If any issue arises at Advisory Group meetings which conflicts with their professional role, members exclude themselves from that section of the discussion.

We value diversity and constantly strive to provide equality of opportunity as an employer and in the provision and delivery of all our activities, including our programmes, websites and awards schemes.

We positively encourage applications from all sections of the community and are working hard to ensure that our programmes and services meet the requirements of people with disabilities. We have a range of services that may be helpful.

If you require any further information, please email enquiries@commonpurpose.org.uk or telephone
+44 (0)20 7608 8100 for more information.

Apply for a course online

If you would like to apply for a Common Purpose course, select the desired course below to complete online or download the application form.

• 20:20
• InsideOUT
• Common Purpose Navigator
• Meridian
• Profile
• What Next?
• Your Turn

Course terms and conditions

These terms and conditions apply to all participants on a Common Purpose course.*

Attendance and courses

• A place on the Common Purpose course is subject to review of the application by the Advisory Group, and is not transferable to another individual.
• A participant on a Common Purpose course undertakes to attend the full course.
• If a participant, having started the course, then withdraws from the course for any reason, it is not guaranteed that the participant will be allowed by Common Purpose to resume attendance.
• If a participant misses any part of the course due to absenteeism, this may affect whether Common Purpose confers graduate status upon the participant.
• Common Purpose retains the right to change the advertised agenda for a Common Purpose course or event without notice to the participants.
• Common Purpose will make every effort to give participants reasonable notice in advance if the venue for an event is changed.

Conduct during the course

• When booking and paying for a Common Purpose course or event venue, Common Purpose is acting as an agent on the participants' behalf. Participants will be subject to the terms and conditions of the venue.
• It is the participant's responsibility to ensure that while attending the Common Purpose course and while on any third party premises he or she does not behave in an improper or disorderly manner or in a way which risks or causes damage to property, or in a way which is in breach of the terms and conditions of those premises.
• In the event of such improper behaviour, Common Purpose will have the right to require the participant to withdraw from the course. In such circumstances, Common Purpose will be entitled to retain the course fee.
• The participant will also be liable to indemnify Common Purpose for any expenses or other liability it incurs or suffers as a result of any such improper behaviour.
• All participants are expected to abide by the Common Purpose Conventions.

Payment terms

• Attendance on a Common Purpose course is conditional on receipt in full of the course fee by Common Purpose prior to the start of the course. (This condition also applies in the case of a part fee agreed for a participant who has demonstrated a clear need for financial assistance.)
• Payment terms are 14 days from the date of invoice. The invoice will be issued as soon as the participant has been accepted on the course.
• The person who has signed the application form agrees to these terms and conditions, and has the authority to do so. In the event that he/she is not so authorised, he/she will be personally liable for payment of the agreed fee.

Cancellation and refunds

Notice of cancellation must be received in writing by post or by fax and is subject to the following terms:

• where notice of cancellation is received fewer than 30 days prior to the first day of the course, the payer will be liable for 100% of the course fee.
• where notice of cancellation is received between 30 and 56 days prior to the first day of the course, the payer will be liable for 50% of the course fee.
• where notice of cancellation is received more than 56 days prior to the first day of the course, Common Purpose will make a full refund of the fee paid.

No refund of fees will be made for absence due to illness or for withdrawal during the course for any reason.