Fairfax Multi-Academy Trust Director (Governor)

FMAT is offering an opportunity for the right person to make a real difference to the outcomes and life chances of young people across Birmingham and Solihull.

Our Schools:

• Fairfax Academy
• Erdington Academy
• Bournville School
• Smiths Wood Academy

This is an opportunity to give something back to the local community and use and develop your own skills in a board-level environment. We need individuals willing to commit some of their time and apply their skills and experience to be a director of our Multi-Academy Trust.

FMAT has 4 schools, 3 are secondary schools and 1 is an all-through school (4 to 16) with over 4,000 students. We serve students from a wide range of backgrounds including some in challenging circumstances. We have higher than average proportions of students from disadvantaged homes and with special educational needs. We firmly believe that every student has the right to realise their full potential, and to do that they need to experience a high-quality education in a supportive environment to help them achieve their career aspirations and live their lives to the full.

We are seeking to appoint a number of directors with a range of skills including education, finance, human resources, risk management, health and safety, estates, and marketing.

Key elements of being a director include:

• Providing strategic guidance and drive to FMAT and its schools
• Holding leaders to account for the school's performance
• Overseeing the financial and operational propriety of our organisation

The role of director is challenging but hugely rewarding.

Brief role description

Commitment:

• 5 Trust Board Meetings per annum
• 5 committee meetings per annum (per sub-committee) x 2
• Plus training, school visits (Ideally 3 half days a year) and ad hoc panels
• Circa 100 hours per annum including meeting preparation, ad hoc meetings, and school visits

Responsibilities:

• Strategic oversight, set the vision and policies for the Trust
• Ensure appropriate governance and decision-making
• Ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements
• Hold the executive to account for academic standards and outcomes
• Oversee the finances and effective use of funds
• Set appropriate targets and hold the CEO to account
• Agree and monitor budgets
• Review performance across the Trust
• Deal with contractual relationships with third parties
• Maintain a risk register which actively informs Trust agenda and decision-making

Fairfax Multi-Academy Trust is committed to the safeguarding and welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will therefore be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure via the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (2013 and 2020). This means that certain convictions and cautions are considered 'protected' and do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account.

Benefits

• Perkbox discount platform: Discounts on a variety of online and high street stores, supermarkets and more
• Perkbox Wellness hub: A variety of wellness content to proactively support your health and wellbeing

Skills

• Knowledge of education legislation, guidance, and legal requirements - Essential
• Willingness to challenge current thinking, the method of governance and management in a constructive manner and in the best interests of all our students - Essential
• Ability to remain impartial and to maintain confidentiality - Essential
• Ability to evaluate and interpret management information and other data/evidence - Essential

Personal Qualities

• Commitment to the mission, vision, and values of the Trust - Essential
• Commitment to the education and welfare of all our children, pupils, and students - Essential
• Commitment to equal opportunities, inclusion and the promotion of diversity - Essential
• Independence of thought and sound judgment - Essential
• Ability to work as part of a team - Essential
• Commitment to seeking and taking account of the views of stakeholders - Essential
• Willingness to make and stand by collective decisions as an Association - Essential

Fairfax Multi Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults, and all appointments are subject to enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks and satisfactory references.

Following the update of KCSIE 2023 Fairfax Multi Academy Trust will now carry out online checks of all appointments.

Fairfax Multi Academy Trust is also committed to promoting equality, challenging discrimination and developing community cohesion. We welcome applications from all sections of the community.