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Non-executive director X 4

Employer
Academy Ambassador
Location
Ettingshall, Wolverhampton
Salary
unpaid/ voluntary
Closing date
1 Mar 2019

Central Learning Partnership Trust (CLTP) is a trust of 11 schools supporting approximately 5000 pupils across Wolverhampton and Rotherham. The trust seeks up to four trustees, possessing a breadth of skills from across the business sphere. Candidates with demonstrable experience in change management, finance and HR are sought. Board meetings are held at Wolverhampton Vocational Training Centre, Ettingshall.

About the trust

Established in 2011, Central Learning Partnership Trust (CLPT) comprises five primary schools, three secondary schools and three special schools, including a special nursery school and a vocational special free school offering provision for post-16 students.

All schools are rated ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted and the trust has demonstrated success in sponsoring under performing schools, supporting them to improve. A considerable number of pupils across the schools are from areas of social disadvantage and CLPT is committed to improving the life chances of all its pupils by developing self-worth, ambition and resilience.

An effective school improvement model has been developed by the trust, utilising and formalising school to school support. Several specialised hubs provide central resources, driving up standards for teaching and learning. Central services also enable schools to benefit from economies of scale as well as providing career and development opportunities for future leaders. The trust does not wish to grow at a pace that comprises the achievements so far, but will consider growth where this can enhance the existing hub model.

Plans for the future

The key challenges for the board over the next 12-24 months are:

  1. Governance structure refinement – reviewing the current governance approach to ensure the trust has a sustainable future ahead;
  2. Succession planning – ensuring a robust design is in place to ensure the trust continues its current success;
  3. Funding constraints - coping with the fluctuations in levels of funding alongside potential increases in costs to ensure the trust maintains an appropriate level of reserves for all locations.

Trust ethos & values

The trust adopts an inclusive approach, aiming to support those in need. CLPT’s main priority is to raise achievement of all young people. The trust is committed to adding value to ensure it is able to improve future life chances for all its pupils.

The model adopted by CLPT is purposely hierarchical, structured and formal in order to guarantee collaborative working, shared aims and objectives. At the same time, central to CLPT’s strategy is recognition of the uniqueness of partner schools and therefore their individual identities are retained. Diversity is viewed as a major strength of the partnership.

Role summary Number of positions advertised:

4

Roles 1-4 – Trustee/Non-Executive Director

Trustees – or non-executive directors - are both charity trustees and company directors of the academy trust; the role is to hold to account the executive and senior leadership team. The board of trustees manages the business of the academy trust and may exercise all the powers of the trust. The trustees ensure compliance with the trust’s charitable objects and with company and charity law.

Non-executive directors will be responsible for maintaining stability and the management of a dynamic structure. The role also includes contributing to financial planning for sustainability and potential growth, and holding the CEO/CFO to account.

Person specification

The competencies required for this role include:

Essential (due to multiple roles, candidates may be accepted who possess one or more of the skills below)

 

  • Change Management
  • CFO/ Finance
  • HR
  • Legal

Desirable

 

  • CEO/ General Management
  • Growth Management
  • Risk
  • Succession Planning

Roles 1 - 4: The trust seeks individuals with a broad range of competencies. However, those with demonstrable experience of a strategic perspective in the education field are welcomed, although not a prerequisite. The trust would welcome applicants who have demonstrable experience in managing strategies, contributing to strategic direction and holding senior leader to account.

The trust seeks an individual who can commit to its values and principles and its academies, possess short and long term strategic vision and good, independent, judgement. A clear understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship is vital to anyone considering this role, as well as the understanding that a contribution to the trust direction and strategy, and an ability to work effectively as a member of a team, are core aspects of the role.

Time commitment

3 hours per month (minimum).

Location of board meetings and trust website

The trust website:

https://www.centrallearning.co.uk/

Trust board meetings are held at Wolverhampton Vocational Training Centre, Millfields Road, Ettingshall, Wolverhampton, WV4 6JP.

Governance structure

https://www.centrallearning.co.uk/about-us/trust-board-and-governance/

Background on academy trusts

Academy schools, which are charities run independently of local authority control, now account for 74% of secondary schools and 31% of primaries – and their number is growing all the time.

Many of these schools are grouped together as multi-academy trusts (MATs). There are currently 832 multi academy trusts of 3+ schools. If the schools are to fulfil their potential, the trusts need non-executives (known in charity law as trustees) to bring a wide range of skills and experience to help guide strategy, ensure their ambitions can be soundly financed and keep their schools up to the mark delivering for their pupils.

“Academy boards must be ambitious for all children and young people and infused with a passion for education and a commitment to continuous school improvement that enables the best possible outcomes. Governance must be grounded in reality as defined by both high-quality objective data and a full understanding of the views and needs of pupils/students, staff, parents, carers and local communities. It should be driven by inquisitive, independent minds and through conversations focused on the key strategic issues which are conducted with humility, good judgement, resilience and determination.” 
Source: Governance Handbook, Department for Education (2017)

Trusteeship is a voluntary, unpaid role for people who have the energy and skills to make a real contribution to shaping the future of our schools. You do not need to have any specialist knowledge of education. 

Applications

Academy Ambassadors is a non-profit programme which recruits senior business leaders and professionals as volunteer non-executive directors onto the boards of multi-academy trusts. If you are interested in applying for the role please send your CV and a short expression of interest detailing which role you are applying for to academyambassadors@newschoolsnetwork.org. Please note: candidates should live within reasonable travelling distance of the trust and/or have a link with the region. For more information, please call 0207 952 8556 or visit www.academyambassadors.org.

Key dates

We strongly recommend applying as early as you can to have the best possible chance of being considered as we may change the closing date if we have received sufficient applications. Applicants should be aware of the following key dates in the recruitment process –

Deadline for applications: 15th March 2019

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