Sponsor/Trust-nominated Governor

The White Rose Academies Trust

Leeds City Academy - Leeds East Academy - Leeds West Academy (A voluntary, unpaid role)

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Can you drive forward a vision, provide positive criticism and offer challenge for some of the most rapidly improving schools in the country?

If so, The White Rose Academies Trust would like to invite you to apply for the crucial role of a Sponsor/Trust-nominated Governor.

The White Rose Academies Trust is currently seeking exceptional individuals for Leeds City Academy, Leeds East Academy and Leeds West Academy.

Potential Governors should be able to offer a wide range of life experience, be an excellent communicator and most importantly be passionate about education and the future of our region. Experience as a member of Leadership Committees and Groups would be highly beneficial, coupled with a successful and dynamic career history.

Background

In September 2020, we enter the fourth year of our transformational vision. In order to achieve our vision, we're seeking outstanding Governors who can support our vision of excellence, by setting detailed aims and objectives for the Trust and its academies.

The White Rose Academies Trust is a local trust dedicated to raising and fulfilling the ambitions of young people. Our academies throughout Leeds are at the heart of the communities they serve, which is why we are committed to delivering an outstanding education to every one of our students. We are sponsored by Leeds City College, a member of the Luminate Education Group, who provide expertise, international networks and highly desirable employability prospects within education and beyond.

The White Rose Academies Trust has two levels of governance, with a Board of Directors having overall responsibility for the strategic direction of the Trust and Local Accountability Boards (LABs) for each Academy.

Local Accountability Boards

The Trust Board has ultimate legal responsibility for all aspects of the work across the academies but will delegate much of the responsibility for education performance, student well-being and staff matters to the LAB.

The LAB will always be chaired by a Director of the Trust and there will usually be at least one other Director. Leeds City College will also nominate one senior member of staff to sit on the LAB to provide a direct link between the College as sponsor and the individual Academies.

At the Heart of our Decision Making

The role of a Local Accountability Board is a strategic one; its key functions are to:

• Set detailed aims and objectives for the Academies

• Set the policies for achieving those aims and objectives

• Set the targets for achieving those aims and objectives

• Monitor and evaluate the progress the Academy is making towards achievement of its aims and objectives

• Be a source of challenge and support to the Academy Principals (a critical friend)

A Governor will be required to:

• Always act in the best interests of all the students in the Academy

• Have a clear, enhanced DBS check

• Adhere to the Code of Conduct adopted by the Local Accountability Board

• Undertake a Skills Audit as part of New Local Accountability Board members Induction

• Commit sufficient time and energy in order to involve themselves actively in the work of the Local Accountability Board

• Make every effort to gain a good understanding of the Academy and staff as appropriate

• Develop an effective working relationship with the Principal based on honesty, confidentiality and mutual trust

• Develop relationships with stakeholders, such as parents, the Board of Directors, the Local Authority, the local community and other schools

• Have a three-year term of office

Join us on our Journey to Outstanding

If you feel you can make an outstanding contribution to our Trust of schools, then our CEO, Mr Whitaker, would like to hear from you.

For consideration, please provide a one/two-page letter of introduction for Mr Andrew Whitaker, outlining:

• Why you wish to serve as a Governor at one of our Academies

• What particular skills and experience you can bring to the role

• An overview of why you are passionate about education in our region

Applications of interest should be sent to Mrs Yvonne Hare, Head of Communications and Projects, at hare.y@whiteroseacademies.org.

LAB Member Role