Chief Executive Circa 85k Candidate Information Pack Cidari Education Limited Unit 250 Glenfield Park Blakewater Road Blackburn BB1 5QH Tel: 01254 695 301 email: enquiries@cidari.co.uk www.cidarieducation.co.uk
Contents 1. Letter from the Chair of the Trust 2. About Cidari Multi Academy Trust 3. Key Priorities for the Trust 4. Job Description 5. Person Specification 6. How To Apply 2
1. Letter from the Chair of the Trust Dear Applicant Cidari Education Limited was formed in 2013 by the Diocese of Blackburn to be a home for those Diocesan and Community schools which wished to become Academies within a Multi Academy Trust formed to reflect a Christian ethos and value structure. Presently led by a Chief Executive currently on secondment to us, two schools joined us in the initial period, and a further five have joined in the last 9 months. More are in discussion. Details of our schools are available on our website www.cidarieducation.co.uk. In this initial period, as with all new Multi Academy Trusts, we have been building foundations as a preparation for the future, and we are now ready to move on to a second phase of real growth. This coincides with recent comments by the Minister that the development of Academies will be a key part of the Government strategy. The secondment of the current CEO will come to an end in November 2015, and the Board now wish to appoint a permanent CEO which will enable the Trust to move forward with confidence to a medium term strategy. We are looking for a Christian with drive and energy, who is well regarded within the Education sector, has strong interpersonal skills, and a recognized passion for excellence which would command the support of our present and future members. The applicant will have the personal capacity to lead a substantially larger organisation than we are now, and will grow into the role. Is that you? We look forward to hearing from you Ian Higginbotham Chairman of the Board. 3
2. About Cidari Multi Academy Trust Mission to be a high performing family of schools founded on Christian values Faith in learning Belief in achievement... The Diocese of Blackburn set up the CIDARI Multi Academy Trust in 2013 to support converter schools wishing to join the CIDARI family of academies and act as a sponsor for underperforming church schools in the Diocese. The purpose of the trust is to maintain and ensure rapid improvement of schools which need support now (and in the future) and to act as a vehicle for enabling the sharing of best practice and economies to be achieved across the group of academies. At the heart of our aims and objectives is the provision of high quality education for all children based on clearly established Christian values and principles. We see it as the right of every child in our schools to receive the best educational experience possible which develops them academically, socially, spiritually and emotionally. We believe that every child should know that they are loved and valued and that each one all should all be able to reach their full potential. We work closely and collaboratively with all our schools and other partners to ensure that we offer a strong caring ethos, a clear moral purpose and inclusive values. We believe that these foster: High academic standards and improve school performance Raised community aspirations An inclusive and welcoming environment for those of all faiths or of none An open Christian ethos within whose values all can achieve their full potential We encourage all our schools to see themselves as part of a family with a shared vision and identity. This shared vision includes the wish to work in partnership with each other to support, challenge and encourage and so provide the very best educational experience to all their children. Working with high performing schools, National and Local Leaders in Education, Teaching Schools and other partners, we apply rigour in recruitment processes, particularly of senior leaders, to furnish our schools with the best leadership along with highly effective governance to secure high expectations for all schools and to ensure effective improvement systems and the raising of standards for all. We are committed to appointing and supporting the very best teachers to all our schools and to providing them with the resources, training and support they need to ensure all children progress well and achieve the very best they can. 4
The service we offer schools can best be summed up in a mnemonic around our name: Cidari: The Benefits Christian ethos informs and shapes our vision, values and practice. Improving teaching and the wellbeing of pupils through a collaborative professional network of Local Head Teachers and School Leaders. Direction and support provided for Governors, Heads, and Teachers to achieve excellence in all they do. Access to School Improvement Packages, and sharing in best practice from our own Schools and national sources. Receipt of benefits in procurement, advice, and capital developments through the pooling of funding and ideas. Influence we network assiduously on a wider platform so that our member s views can be presented and voiced. Our journey to date... Over the last twelve months, five schools have joined the Trust, making seven schools in all, of which 6 are Primary Schools, and with a total 2,356 pupils. To date, the CEOs have undertaken their roles on a secondee basis, which period comes to an end in November. The Directors consider that now is the time to consider a permanent appointment, and invite interested high calibre candidates to apply to take the Trust on to the next level. Our task... We seek to fulfil our mission and strategic plan by creating capacity to develop and offer our support to more schools, and build a reputation which is second to none in the sector. About us... Please see our website www.cidarieducation.co.uk for more details about us 5
3. Key Priorities for the Trust The priorities for the Trust and consequently its Chief Executive are: - To develop medium term growth ambitions envisioning a MAT of around 30 schools clustered around high performing teaching schools, whose teaching and ethos are aligned with our mission and values. We believe this will give optimal benefit to our pupils and communities, and be a springboard for future long term development. - To actively support and monitor Academies in the Trust in programmes of continuous progress and development within Teaching and Learning, to reach the highest levels of accreditation at external inspection. - To actively support and enhance the wellbeing and achievements of pupils and staff through a collaborative professional network of local Head Teachers and School Leaders. - To review the curriculum offering across the Trust s Academies to ensure that it is sustainable, affordable for the Academies to provide, and ensures that all students in our Academies have the best possible opportunities to succeed and achieve even beyond their aspirations. - Manage the reputation of our Academy Schools so that they are the go to place in their localities for the best possible education, and as such reach their recruitment and subsequent attendance targets. - Manage and develop School Improvement packages, ensuring that best practice is shared within the Trust, but that assiduous networking also ensures that best practice nationally is applied within our organisation and schools. - Manage and develop services in procurement and advice to ensure that schools within the Trust have access to goods and services at the best possible prices, and are assisted in efficient and liberating management practices. - Ensure the finances and governance of the Trust operate to the highest standards, within the agreed framework and plans. We will also ensure that we support each Academy member of the Trust to operate similarly. - Provide support and training to Governors taking up responsibility in our schools to ensure they are properly equipped to be the critical friends of the Head Teachers and staff, and develop a framework of knowledge to enable them to effectively undertake their roles. - To develop strategies to support Capital Developments within the Trust. - To network assiduously on a wider platform so that our members views can be voiced and presented. 6
4. Job Description Job Purpose, Objectives and Accountability The Chief Executive will be appointed by the Directors of the Trust, to lead the Cidari team to achieve the ambitions of the Trust (as in Section (3) and will be accountable to the Board through the Chair. They will also be required to report to the Members and other key stakeholders, including the DfE, the Regional Schools Commissioner and other statutory parties. The Chief Executive will advise the Board and lead the team in a way which is aligned with our mission and values Principal Accountabilities and Responsibilities Achieve the ambitions of the Trust in Section 3 Working with the Board, and the Trust Executive Team, develop the vision, plans, and budgets setting out how the Trust and its constituent academies will move forward towards the Trust s strategic goals each year. Agree delegations with the Trust Board to the Local Governing Bodies and Principals of the member Academies for their day to day operations, while agreeing with the Principals which matters are most effectively discharged collectively. Apply the strategy to the local contexts, and advise the Board of local nuances and needs. Develop and maintain strong working relationships with the Principals, Chairs of Governors, Governors, Trades Unions and other key personnel within the Academies and Trust, to ensure the effective and collegiate sharing of communication and knowledge. Convene and lead the Executive team of Principals and others across the Trust to deliver a collective and consistent strategy, determining the best means of delivery. Maintain good relationships with the Professional Bodies, including Trades Unions. Review the progress of the Academies within the Trust, liaising with their Local Governing Bodies, and take action as necessary to ensure that progress and improvement is delivered and maintained, with a drive towards agreed levels of progress and the highest grade of external validation. Provide accurate and timely reports of activities and performance to the Trust Board, and all other stakeholders in accordance with requirements, devising succinct but informing summary reporting systems. Utilise the collective strengths of member schools for the benefit of all members of the Trust, so that students receive the best possible outcomes. Implement strategies and reputational management to ensure we are the go to schools in our local areas which will result in achievement of recruitment targets and maintain attendance. Overview the curriculum to ensure appropriate breadth, but without unnecessary specialist 7
duplication in nearby schools. Work with the Finance and Operations Directors to drive efficiencies and collaborative working across the Trust. Develop pan academy strategies to support the economic life and well being of the communities where we are represented, in the sharing of facilities and ideas. Identify key agencies, individuals and groups that could enhance the work of the Trust, and secure their partnership for the benefit of the Trust. Develop strategies for the generation of additional revenue and resources for the Trust. Support the Chair of the Trust in the recruitment and induction of Chairs and Governors for member Academies. Oversight of new sponsorships / projects Instigate and Co ordinate applications for the transfer of new schools into the Trust. Ensure appropriate due diligence and risk assessment is carried out, and present such applications to the Board for consideration. Direct and Manage transfers of schools into the Academy Trust, ensuring that appropriate and timely project management is in place to achieve a smooth transition, complying with all appropriate protocols. Develop and Monitor the project brief, budgets and effective reporting for the incoming Academies and the Trust In conjunction with the project team, assess the appropriate levels of human/skills resourcing which are required for an incoming school to meet its aspirations, and recommend proposals to the Board. Lead and Work alongside functional specialists as required to achieve objectives Lead and Motivate incoming schools into the ethos of the Trust Additional duties Ensure the Board and Member schools are advised of current education policy issues. 8
Person Specification Professional competencies Strategic planning and review Finance project costing and budgetary management Resource management estimating, monitoring and securing resources in a multi tasking programme environment. Strong inter personal skills in establishing relationships, both within the Trust and beyond, positively influencing stake holders and partners. Programme and project management Consulting enabling partners to identify and/or clarify problems, and then developing and implementing appropriate solutions to address issues. Essential skills and experience Educated to degree level, and highly respected within the Educational sector, fully aware of Government policy, school management, and strategies for improving education outcomes. Strategic planning reviewing progress against plans in terms of standards, performance and finances, and taking decisive action as necessary Strong influencing, negotiation and advocacy skills Proven experience of motivating and leading effective teams and delivering projects in a multi skilled environment, to meet project objectives. A successful track record of building effective working relationships at all levels and reinforcing partnership. Sound judgement, ability to identify and escalate critical issues/risks effectively, and a proactive pragmatic approach to problem resolution Ability to lead from the front with respected presence and gravitas mixed with collegiality. Desirable skills and experience Experience of working with, and/or on behalf of, young people. Experience of working with schools with a Christian ethos and character Behavioural competencies Pragmatic, action orientated, outcomes focused Excellent and adaptable communication skills Adaptable and flexible team player who is willing and able to take the lead. Business/commercial awareness Personal attributes As you will be the Public Face of the Trust, whose objective is to promote education within a Christian values and principles context, you will need to be a practising Christian whose life is aligned with our mission and ethos. Confident, calm, comfortable in a range of settings, passionate about understanding the needs of pupils and seeing young people achieve their potential. Ambitious to do something special! 9
5. How To Apply Salary package circa 85k, but growing as the Trust grows Interview timetable Application close date: Friday 10th July 2015 Shortlisted candidates will be advised by the end of July. Interviews for short listed candidates will be held near Clitheroe over the afternoon of 7 September with an opportunity to meet representatives of member schools, followed by dinner in the evening with all the Cidari Board Members, and an interview with the Appointments Committee on the following morning 8 September. Overnight accommodation will be provided if required. Our ambition is to appoint a candidate starting full time early in the New Year. The post holder must be prepared to reside within daily travelling distance of Blackburn. Further information: if you would like to discuss this opportunity, please email either : Ian Higginbotham, Chairman on ian.higginbotham@cidari.co.uk Graeme Pollard (Vice Chairman) on Graeme.pollard@blackburn.anglican.org or Carolyn Johnson (Chair Appointment Committee) on Carolyn_johnson@talk21.com and we would be happy to make an arrangement for a discussion. How to apply Please submit the Cidari Application Form which includes your detailed CV and a personal statement saying in no more than four sides of A4 in succinct bullet point format why you think you are the person we need, and providing verifiable evidence of your experience, skills, abilities and knowledge. Your application should include full contact details (address, daytime, home and mobile telephone numbers where applicable and email addresses) and details of 2 referees. We also require a further faith reference from your Vicar or Leader of the church you attend. For each referee please provide name, position, organisation, telephone numbers and email addresses where known. One of these referees must be your current/recent employer. If you do not wish us to contact referees at this stage, please make this clear. Please return your completed application either electronically to: Email: ian.higginbotham@cidari.co.uk Alternatively, send a hard copy, marked Strictly Confidential to: Ian Higginbotham Chairman Cidari Education Ltd Unit 250, Glenfield Park Blakewater Road Blackburn BB1 5QH All appointments are subject to satisfactory references and eligibility to work in the UK. The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. An enhanced DBS will be required 10 10