Nunnery Wood High School
Trustee Vacancy Information
We are currently seeking a trustee to join the board of Nunnery Wood High School, a trust of 1 school, with an annual budget of £9m.
As a trustee/director your key responsibilities will be to:
- Ensure clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
- Hold executive leaders to account – both for the educational performance of the organisation and its pupils and the effective and efficient performance management of staff
- Oversee the organisation’s financial performance and ensure its funds are directed to the best possible educational outcomes for young people
By volunteering as a trustee/ director you will be responsible for contributing to the strategic decision-making of the board, helping the trust to realise immediate and long-term goals, and ultimately ensuring transparency, accountability and challenge.
About Nunnery Wood High School
https://www.nunnerywood.worcs.sch.uk/
Nunnery Wood High School is a Single Academy Trust comprised of one 11-16 mixed (comprehensive) school. The academy was graded Ofsted ‘Good’ in March 2022 and has strong outcomes with pupils generally achieving half a grade better than their peers from similar starting points. The academy is oversubscribed and serves approximately 1500 pupils. Due to the academy’s success it had been asked to expand support additional pupils, which would require additional building to accommodate.
The Trust has strong relationships with the local authority and other Trusts however does not hold immediate ambitions to grow as a MAT or join another Trust. Nevertheless, the board takes a balanced approach to the idea of growth and regularly reviews the idea to ensure they are choosing the path best suited to their pupils. The Trust has comfortable reserves, a portion of which is being used to enhance current buildings. The Trust also underwent an external review of Governance in March 2023, which did not raise any major issues.
What the trust are looking for
Due to their existing chair’s retirement in Summer 2024, the Trust are looking for a chair to join their board. The successful candidate will work alongside the outgoing chair over the summer term as part of their induction. The Trust Board have a broad skillset between them and so welcome applications from any background. Proven senior leadership or chairing skills are vital and an understanding of the local community is desirable.
Trust Board meetings are held 4 times a year and are generally Monday or Tuesday 5:30pm – 7:30pm (they are planned well in advance). Meetings are in-person but remote access can be arranged if needed (though this should be by exception). The Trust board would also welcome the candidate to join one of their committees which usually meet Mondays or Tuesdays at 5:30pm (again planned in advance).
o Finance Audit & Risk (meet once per half term i.e. 6 per year)
o Students & Standards (meet once per term i.e. 3 per year)
o Premises & Staffing (meet once per term i.e. 3 per year)
o Pay & Performance (meet twice a year)
Extra Meetings – The current chair tends to have extra 1-2-1 meetings with (i) the Headteacher once each half term (1 hr – 6 times a year) (ii) the Members (as the chair is also a members but Members only meet ONCE per year for the AGM. Due to the nature of the role the chair would also work closely the Governance Professional as a lead on Governance.
What difference will you make?
Volunteering on an academy trust board is deeply rewarding as it allows you to impact the life chances of young people. Academy trusts support schools to give children a better future. For young people to have the best possible opportunities in later life, it’s vital we have individuals with the right expertise leading schools and holding executive teams accountable. Becoming a trustee is a fantastic opportunity to give back to your local community by strengthening education.
As well as looking for new opportunities to give something back to society, you may be looking for opportunities to build your experience in strategic decision-making at senior level or demonstrate your ability to perform in a non-executive position as part of a portfolio career.
All roles are pro bono
People from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Governing boards should represent the communities they serve, as well as wider society. We welcome interest from underrepresented groups to ensure academy trust boards are diverse in background, skillset, and thought.
Diversity is a powerful instrument for effective governance. Trustees are required to make choices that impact the daily lives of children, from school finance all the way through to staff and pupil recruitment. It’s essential that boards possess a broad set of beliefs, experiences, and ideas to inform their final judgements. We believe that true representation at board level enables all children to fulfil their potential.
Further Information
You can also find out more public information about the Trust on the Get Information About Schools Page: https://www.get-information-schools.service.gov.uk/Groups/Group/Details/4061
On this page you will find a link to the Trust’s record on Companies House.
The following documents provide useful information and reading to any potential trustee: