Non-Executive Directors at Severn Federation Academy Trust

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

Severn Federation Academy Trust is a newly opened academy trust overseeing three academies currently wishing to promote and share good practice for the benefit of children across the Forest of Dean area. The Trust expects to grow through the addition of more primary schools in 2022. The trust seeks one new trustee with expertise in finance, audit and risk who could chair the Finance and Audit committee. Board meetings will be held virtually or in Gloucestershire, GL15 5JH when safe to do so. Applicants of all faiths and of none are welcomed.

The board seeks three business leaders with board level experience in

* CFO / Finance
* Audit and Risk

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

1 Driving school improvement across the Trust and in particular at Bream C of E. Previously, Lydney CofE School was an accredited teaching school and part of the Forest of Dean Teaching School Alliance. The CEO and Deputy CEO are active parties in the West Gloucestershire Schools Partnership which provides CPD for teaching staff across the area. School leaders are well into implementation of their recovery curriculum largely because parents and pupils remained engaged throughout the pandemic and attendance at virtual classrooms was high.
2 Sound financial set up for the new MAT. Lydney and Aylburton CofE Schools had been operating as a local authority maintained federation for 10-11 years and learnt how to make a joint venture successful through shared governance arrangements and oversight of financial management and internal controls, policies and procedures. Trustees are confident that the trust can operate a number of small schools and stay financially stable and is outward looking in learning from other trusts successfully overseeing small primary schools.
3 Growing the trust to be recognised as a local MAT which promotes and shares good practice for the benefit of children across the Forest of Dean area.

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.