Non-executive director X 2

Guru Nanak Sikh Academy (GNSA)

Guru Nanak Sikh Academy in Hayes seeks two non-executive directors with senior audit and risk experience or with a good understanding of data analysis to join this trust of four schools. This is an exciting time for the trust following the opening of a primary free school and the completion of a new build to house the school in 2021. Board meetings are held in Hayes.

About the trust

Guru Nanak Singh Academy (GNSA) was established in 2010, when Guru Nanak Sikh College, the very first Sikh faith school in the UK, split to form two schools - one primary free school and one all-through academy converter. The schools are based in the Hillingdon borough and support a pupil population of approximately 1500, almost 100% of whom speak English as an additional language (EAL). GNSA has a proven track record of establishing successful schools, with both currently rated Good by Ofsted. Both primary and secondary have achieved outstanding results across the key stages/phases.

The primary, Nanaksar Primary school is GNSA’s new free school, which will have its permanent build completed by 2021. Currently the free school has approx. 240 students and will have a capacity for 840 students after completion. The secondary phase also has a sixth form and nursery provision, which is on a part time basis.

Plans for the future

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

1. Governance: As the board is at an interim stage, one of the areas the trust is looking to develop is further training for all directors to strengthen governance. The Board of Trustees have subscribed to the National Governance Association online training program.
2. Gender Achievement Gap: To address the Gender gap in student performance which is a national issue. You will contribute to a curriculum review in order to identify strategies to implement and narrow the gap
3. Further Education: One of the trust’s development areas will be focus on the Sixth Form - although VI data is in line with national figures and it has been improving for the last 2 years

In order to strengthen its governance, GNSA plans, over the next three years, to set up a local governing body (LGB) for the trust by 2020 and another LGB for the free school (Nanaksar primary school) on its completion in 2021.

Trust ethos & values

GNSA seeks to provide happy and outward –looking schools, within which all the pupils work hard to realise their full potential, intellectually, morally, physically, personally and socially and in which the Sikh religion is fostered. The trust believes that education is a human right for all children and a route out of poverty.

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.

Person specification 1

The trust seeks candidates with financial expertise to help support and challenge the CFO. The successful ‘finance’ candidate will have a strong financial background, preferably a formally qualified accountant with experience of financial modelling, audit processes and an understanding of corporate governance.

Experienced business leaders and strategic planners, are encouraged to apply and will have the ability and determination to adapt and transfer their experience to an educational setting. They will have a willingness to devote time, an understanding of the legal duties and liabilities of trusteeship and the ability to challenge, evaluate and interpret information. All trustees are expected to play a strategic role in successfully effecting change.

Person specification 2

The trust welcomes an individual with a clear understanding of education data and experience in education governance, particularly in areas of deprivation. The individual will be able to understand and challenge education outcomes and guide and inform decision-making at a strategic level. They do not need to work or have worked in the sector.

The competencies required for these roles include:

Essential (due to multiple roles, candidates may be accepted who possess one or more of the skills below)

• CFO/ Finance
• Risk
• Corporate Governance
• Data Analysis

Desirable

• Legal/Compliance
• Change Management
• Growth Management
• Succession Planning
• Restructuring

Time commitment

6 hours per month minimum.

Location of board meetings and trust website

Board meetings are held at The Bedford Academy, Mile Road, Bedford, MK42 9TR.

Please see http://www.gurunanaksikhacademy.co.uk

Governance structure

For more information, please see: http://www.gurunanaksikhacademy.co.uk/page/?title=Governance+%26amp%3B+Members&pid=38

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 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: 7^th March 2019