Non-Executive Director

MacIntyre Academies

MacIntyre Academies is a three school multi-academy trust (MAT) based in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, catering for children and young people who have an Education, Health and Care Plan for autism or social, emotional or mental health needs. The trust seeks to appoint one trustee / non-executive director with prior experience of such a role and expertise in audit and corporate governance. Trust board meetings are held at multiple locations in the Nuneaton area.

About the trust

A three-school trust comprising provision designed to support children and young people who have an Education, Health and Care Plan for autism or social, emotional or mental health needs, MacIntyre Academies Trust current has 218 students on roll and a budget of c.£9m.

Within the trust, the constituent academies are:

• Endeavour Academy is the trust’s first academy and opened in September 2014, having been developed in partnership with Oxfordshire County Council to offer many children who had previously attended out-of-county schools the opportunity to be educated and receive specialist support much closer to home. The academy provides 30 places for children and young people (aged 8 to 19) with autism and learning difficulties who are in need of specialist education, care and support. Endeavour also offers flexible residential opportunities including 52 week, term time, weekly and shorter placements in the onsite Children’s Home, Endeavour House. An extended curriculum enables children to take part in after school activities as well as during the weekend, and the school holiday periods.

• Discovery Academy – also opened in September 2014 in Nuneaton, Discovery is focused on for children and young people, aged 9 – 19 years who have an Education, Health and Care Plan for autism or a social, emotional or mental health need. It had its first Ofsted inspection in July 2018, the outcome of which was ‘Good’ in all areas.

• Quest Academy – like Discovery, Quest is for children and young people, aged 9 – 19 years who have an Education, Health and Care Plan for autism or a social, emotional or mental health need. Opened in September 2017, Quest Academy is gradually increasing numbers of pupils starting at 30 and will eventually provide 80 places across all age groups. The school's permanent home will be in Rugby but until then it is based in Nuneaton. 

Plans for the future

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

1. Educational excellence - strive for educational excellence and Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ schools in line with the trust’s School Improvement Strategy;
2. Growth – expansion of the trust in a way that makes sense for each school, as well as the trust as a whole;
3. Ethos – Maintenance of the trust’s compassionate and positive acceptance of young people with SEN and reduce restrictive practice as far as possible.

Trust ethos & values

MacIntyre Academies' mission is to become a leading Special Academy Trust that provides outstanding outcome-focused state education by promoting high aspirations, empowering parents as partners and successfully equipping every child for adult life.

Role summary Number of positions advertised:

1

Trustee/Non-Executive Director

Trustees – or non-executive directors - are both charity trustees and company directors of the academy trust. The core functions of their role are: ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction; holding executive leaders to account for the educational and financial performance of a charitable company funded by the public purse.

The board of trustees manages the business of the academy trust and may exercise all the powers of the trust in compliance with its charitable objects, company and charity law.

In the interests of safeguarding, all trustee appointments would be subject to an enhanced disclosure and barring service check.

Person specification

Every trustee is expected to abide by the trust’s code of conduct and the seven principles of public life set out by Lord Nolan: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.

The Competency Framework for Governance (DfE) 2017 details the knowledge, skills and behaviours required for effective governance: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/583733/Competency_framework_for_governance_.pdf

The strategic expertise required for this role includes:

Essential

• Audit
• Non-executive/ Trustee
• Corporate Governance

Desirable

• Qualified Accountant
• Risk

The trust seeks an individual with prior experience in a non-executive/ trustee position and demonstrable knowledge of corporate governance. In addition, expertise in audit is essential, while knowledge of risk and an accountancy qualification are highly desirable, but not essential. Furthermore, a commitment to the organisation, strategic vision, an ability to think creatively and willingness to devote time to the board are all vital to success in this role.

Time commitment

8 hours /month minimum.

Location of board meetings and trust website

Trust board meeting are held at various locations; the trust registered office is Discovery Academy, Vernons Lane, Nuneaton, CV11 5SS

www.macintyreacademies.org

Governance structure

https://www.macintyreacademies.org/page/?title=Governance&pid=21

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.

“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 (2019)

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. 

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: 15^th November 2019