We are currently seeking a trustee to join the board of Macintyre Academies, a trust of four schools, with an annual budget of £13.7m.
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 Macintyre Academies (MA)
Macintyre Academies was established in 2012 to ensure all young people have confidence and belief in their potential, are ready for a successful adult life and connected to where they live.
They currently operate four special school academies -one in Oxfordshire and three in Warwickshire – and their sponsor is the national charity, MacIntyre Care, which for more than 50 years has been a leading provider of high quality, person-centred care, education and support to people with learning disabilities.
MacIntyre Academies’ first school, Endeavour Academy in Oxfordshire, was opened in September 2014 and provides 32 places to young people (aged eight to 19) with severe learning disabilities and autism. Endeavour Academy also provides permanent accommodation and flexible short breaks.
Macintyre Academies’ second school, Discovery Academy, opened in September 2015 in Nuneaton, Warwickshire. Discovery caters for 108 young people, aged nine to19 years who have autism or a social, emotional, or mental health (SEMH) need. Discovery is rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted.
In addition, MA opened a Free School in Rugby in 2017 for 100 pupils, called Quest Academy. Quest supports the same cohort as Discovery and was established due to an overwhelming demand for places in Warwickshire and consistent oversubscription at Discovery Academy. Quest was assessed by Ofsted as ‘Good with Outstanding features’ in February 2022. In September 2020,
Venture Academy (previously known as Arden Fields) joined the Trust. It was a struggling school which had been rated under the previous Ofsted as ‘inadequate’ in 2015. It has come a long way under the Trust’s stewardship and is now graded as ‘Requires Improvement’ with a clear trajectory to achieving ‘Good’. Venture currently accommodates 50 pupils.
The Trust’s requirements
As a result of a recent Trust Board retirement, the Trust is looking for a Trustee with senior educational experience, preferably in special education working for either a Multi-Academy Trust or Local Authority. They are also open to discussions with applicants from a more mainstream background. They should have a good understanding of what good/outstanding learning and curriculum development looks like.
Ideally the candidate will visit each academy at least once a year alongside attending Board meetings.
This is a good time to join a growing Trust with ambitions to expand to between six and eight special schools in the next few years, either through Free School openings or by merging with existing schools.
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.
Useful information – about the trust
Trust website: https://www.macintyreacademies.org/
Companies House information: https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/08334745
Get Information About Schools: https://www.get-information-schools.service.gov.uk/Groups/Group/Details/3817
Useful information – academy trust governance
Academy Trust Handbook: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/64a52424c531eb000c64fe78/ATH_2023_FINAL_040723__digital__tracking_off.pdf
Academy trust governance guide – https://www.gov.uk/guidance/-governance-in-academy-trusts
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