Non-Executive Director X 2

Diocese of Worcester Multi Academy Trust (DoWMAT)

Diocese of Worcester Multi Academy Trust seeks to recruit two non-executive directors, bringing a range of skills to help strengthen its overall governance arrangements. Among the trust’s key challenges are its objective to improve outcomes for students receiving Pupil Premium and to improve teaching in all Key Stages. It also seeks to take on up to four more schools over the course of the coming year, bringing a renewed focus on strong governance and the Scheme of Delegated Authority. Trust Board of Director meetings are currently held at The Old Palace, Deansway, Worcester. Applicants of all faiths and of none are welcomed.

About the trust

Diocese of Worcester Multi Academy Trust (DoWMAT) was established in September 2016 by the Diocese of Worcester, which encompasses areas of the Local Authorities of Worcestershire and Dudley.

The trust comprises four first schools, six primary schools, one middle school and one school that is first and middle, located in the boroughs / districts of Dudley, Malvern, Wychavon and Wyre Forest. All of the trust’s schools are deeply committed to implementing a collaborative approach to developing and securing excellent educational provision for pupils.

The trust is committed to working in harmony with the Church of England’s vision for education and welcomes both church and non-church schools.

Plans for the future

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

1. To strengthen governance trust-wide in order to ensure leaders at all levels fully understand their roles and responsibilities and are proficient in carrying these out;
2. To improve outcomes for Pupil Premium children across the trust;
3. To improve the quality of education in all trust academies to ensure it is ‘Good’ or better in all Key Stages and in all subjects across the trust.

Trust ethos & values

The Diocese of Worcester Multi Academy Trust will, through its mission statement ‘to love, to learn, to serve’, enable all of its academies to flourish so that all stakeholders can ‘live life in all its fullness’. (John 10:10).

http://www.dowmat.education/adding-pages/vision-and-values

Role summary Number of positions advertised:

2

Roles 1&2 – 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.

As non-executive directors the role-holders will be responsible for setting and monitoring the vision and strategic direction of the MAT, maintaining stability in the management of a dynamic structure. The role also involves contributing to financial planning for sustainability, for potential growth and to the processes for holding the CEO/COO 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)

• CFO/ Finance
• HR
• Branding/ Marketing

Desirable

• Growth Management
• Real estate/ Property
• Risk
• Succession Planning
• IT/ Technology
• Entrepreneur/ Founder
• Legal/ Compliance
• Restructuring

The trust seeks two individuals possessing a range of skills and expertise from across one or more of the above ‘essential’ criteria. The Board of Directors appreciates that strong candidates are more likely to have a skills focus in specific key areas and are eager to hear from any candidates matching the key competencies.

A background in business, including a track record of working at a senior level, reporting to a Board, is essential. Experience and demonstrable evidence of working in an organisation through a time of change and restructure is highly advantageous. The ideal candidate/s will possess skills in strategy-development, leadership and general management, confident in holding senior leaders to account, willing and able to ask challenging and difficult questions.

Awareness of, and willingness to adhere to, the Nolan Principles of Public Life is essential.

Time commitment

Three hours per month, minimum.

Location of board meetings and trust website

Board of Director meetings are currently held at The Old Palace, Deansway, Worcester, WR1 2JE.

http://www.dowmat.education

Governance structure

http://www.dowmat.education/vacancies/dowmat-governance-structure-chart

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 early – if the trust receives sufficient applications, it reserves the right to adjust the closing date, or close applications early. Applicants should be aware of the following key dates in the recruitment process –

Deadline for applications: Friday, 10^th May 2019