Non-executive director/Trustee at Amethyst Academies Trust

Could you be an Academy Ambassador in Wolverhampton? Amethyst Academies Trust seeks two non-executive directors/Trustees to join its board. Board meetings are held at WV8 1RT when safe to do so.

The Academy Ambassadors programme brings the expertise of the business world onto boards at multi-academy trusts (MATs) throughout the country to raise standards of education and improve the life chances of young people, which is critical to our social and economic success.

The opportunity

The Amethyst Academies Trust is a three-school academy trust based on the Northern side of Wolverhampton. The trust is a partnership of Moreton School, Aldersley High School and Amethyst 6th - a sixth-form provision operating at the same site as Aldersely High School. The trust's three schools are all Ofsted-rated Good, and employ 280 staff to serve 2010 students across an area of considerable deprivation and diversity. The amount of students in receipt of Pupil Premium (PP) - one indicator of deprivation - is 43% across the trust as a whole. Aldersley High School has 33% of students studying English as an Additional Language (EAL), while 25% of Moreton School's learners are identified as having Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

The trust believes in its capacity and experience to inspire students and staff to bring about rapid and sustained improvement for the benefit of the pupils and wider community. The schools work together to ensure that all students, irrespective of their starting point, receive an excellent education. The trust relishes the opportunity to be part of the regeneration in the local area and wishes to play a full role in the development of the wider community

The board seeks up to two business leaders with board level experience in a combination of the following:

* Growth Management
* Risk Management
* Succession Planning
* Corporate/Charity Governance
* Legal/Compliance

As a key member of the board you will support the trust in achieving the following over the next 12 - 24 months:

1 Covid-19: A post pandemic recovery - mitigating the effects on learners of the pandemic in terms of their academic achievement and on their mental health, wellbeing and social development.
2 Governance - the successful recruitment of additional trustees with business experience and specialisms, to improve the diversity of the board membership and to develop succession planning both at board and local advisory committee level.
3 Growth - Establishing and Expanding the trust's primary phase by continuation of a sustainable strategy for growth. The trust is committed to working with schools to improve outcomes for all local and neighboring children. This includes acting as a sponsor to schools who are judged by Ofsted to be Inadequate and/or providing a lifeline to small village schools to support local communities.

Future plans

The trust's ambition is, over time, to create a family of local primary and secondary schools working together in a coherent manner with its sponsor, Aldersley High School, to meet the needs of learners in the area. Amethyst Academies Trust aims to increase the number of schools in the trust, but in a considered manner.

What's involved?

Board governance in education is a strategic, 'eyes on, hands off' commitment which typically involves attending c. six board meetings per year/6-8 hours' time per month.

You will be responsible for:

* Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
* Holding executive leaders to account for the educational performance of the organisation and its pupils, and the effective and efficient performance management of staff; and
* Overseeing the financial performance of the organisation and making sure its money is well spent

As an Academy Ambassador, you will join our ambassador network which provides resources, guidance, networking events and webinars to support you in your role.

All roles are pro bono.

People from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

What next?

Please register your interest now to be considered for the role.

Please be aware the closing date may change if we have received sufficient applications.