Non-executive director/Trustee at Future Schools Trust

Could you be a Trustee and Academy Ambassador in Kent? Future Schools Trust three non-executive directors/Trustees to join its board. Board meetings are held at ME15 9QL when safe to do so.

The Academy Ambassadors programme brings the expertise of the business world onto boards at single-academy and multi-academy trusts (SATs and MATs). Academy trusts exist to improve the outcomes of young people; at the highest levels of governance, they need highly skilled individuals with a variety of experiences to hold executive leadership teams to account. Insights from a wide-range of backgrounds ensure that boards are able to make informed choices on decisions that impact the lives of children and staff.

The Academy Ambassadors Programme is funded by the Department for Education, to match senior business leaders with academy trusts looking to strengthen their boards. By working together, inspirational educationalists and talented business leaders can provide a better future for the next generation.

The opportunity

Future Schools Trust (FST) was launched in 2007 when two former secondary schools merged together to become New Line Learning Academy, which then linked with Cornwallis Academy to form a new trust. In 2012, FST opened Tiger Primary School, which became the first primary in Kent to open under the Government's Free School initiative. The trust aspires to have relentless ambition for young people - the best interests of young people guide every ambition and decision FST takes. The trust is passionate in its belief that schools are stronger when they work together, whilst still being proud and protective of their own unique identities.

'Maintaining a strong moral purpose and supportive but challenging culture is central to everything we aim to achieve. We pledge to ensure all our students are happy and achieve their potential, to continuously develop and promote excellent Teaching and Learning, to provide opportunities which broaden students' horizons, to continuously develop positive relationships with all members of our local community, and to nurture a safe and engaging environment in which we all thrive.'

The Trust wishes to grow over time to enable more students and staff to benefit from being part of a Trust with a clear shared purpose. FST believes the values of integrity, respect, resilience, strong work ethic, collaboration and equality are crucial to its future success and expects all stakeholders to embrace these, starting with the board of trustees.

The board seeks three business leaders with board level experience in:

• finance at CFO level (with accountancy qualifications) and
• Audit OR
• Education Leadership and
• Legal/Compliance

Role 1: The Trust is looking for expertise in strategic financial planning and accounting including sustainable growth, accountability for multi-million budgets and/or external audit. This appointment will also join the Trust board's Resources, Audit and Risk Committee.

Role 2: Experience of education management or governance, ideally of a multisite operation, gained through, for example, involvement in a multi-academy trust, federation of maintained schools, local authority and/or further education.

Role 3: Legal expertise at partner or senior solicitor level which includes, for example, corporate, charity or regulatory compliance, education, employment or complex contractual management. Or board level experience demonstrating change management.

What's involved?

Board governance in education is a strategic, 'eyes on, hands off' commitment which at Future Schools Trust typically involves attending six board meetings per year, amounting to approximately eight 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.

The Academy Ambassadors Programme is committed to supporting boards with inclusive recruitment practices, and we actively encourage applications from individuals from diverse backgrounds.

What next?

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

When you select the option to Apply you will be redirected to the Academy Ambassadors webpage where you will find a full role specification with more details of the opportunity and the trust, including details of how to apply for the position.

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