Plymouth CAST Chair of the Board

recruitment pack

July 2017

St Boniface House, Ashburton, Newton Abbot, Devon, TQ13 7JL

admin@plymouthcast.org.uk Tel: 01364 645450

Academy Ambassadors is part of New Schools Network. Registered charity 1132122.

8th Floor, Westminster Tower, 3 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7SP

www.academyambassadors.org Tel: 0207 952 8556

Contents

Welcome from the Bishop 3

About 4

Ethos 4

Our plans for the future 5

Governance structure 6

Chair of the Board 7

Key information 10

Application Process 11

Schools in the trust 12

Welcome from the Bishop and Chair of the Recruitment Panel

Dear Applicant,

On behalf of the RC Diocese of Plymouth and the Members of the Plymouth CAST trust, I would

like to thank you for taking an interest in the position of Chair and Trustee of Plymouth CAST. You

will know that at the centre of our Catholic schools, is our primary mission that each child be able

to encounter the living God, who in Jesus Christ reveals his transforming love and truth. This gives

us three objectives:

Firstly, to provide an environment in which children are enabled to build and deepen their

relationship with God. Secondly, to foster a rigorous academic culture aimed at the pursuit of truth.

And thirdly, to actively promote the development and growth of virtue in each child.

The new Chair has the opportunity to take a leading role in the governance and transformation of

one of the largest academy trusts in the country and the largest in the south west operating across

Cornwall, Devon and Dorset.

A unique trust that opened in 2014 with 36 schools, serving 8000 pupils, employing c.1,700 staff

and overseeing an annual revenue of c.£43 million, the core purpose of Plymouth CAST is to

provide outstanding education and learning in a safe environment where the Catholic mission in

education is promoted and encouraged for the benefit of all.

The trust is facing a number of challenges and is looking for a new Chair of the Board and additional

trustees that will bring strength, breadth and depth to the trust board to lead and support rapid and

sustainable improvement across the schools alongside transformational restructuring of both

governance and operations.

Leading a trust such as ours through its next phase will be both challenging and rewarding. We are

looking for an exceptional individual, a practicing Catholic with executive business expertise who

would wish to become a trustee and take forward the role as Chair of the trust. Alongside this we

are looking to appoint a further three business individuals to become trustees who have the right

experience and expertise to support and challenge us, and who will share our values and ambitions

to ensure the future success of the trust and its schools.

I very much hope that you will consider this opportunity to make a positive contribution to the lives

of the young people in our schools across the south west.

Yours sincerely

Bishop Mark O'Toole

RC Diocese of Plymouth

About Plymouth CAST

Plymouth CAST was created by the Catholic Diocese of Plymouth in April 2014 to enhance the

development of its schools. The trust is currently comprised of 36 academies, which includes, 33

first/primary schools, two secondary schools and one nursery. The trust’s schools are located across

the South West from Penzance to Bournemouth covering seven local authorities. At present,

Plymouth CAST is one of the largest multi-academy trusts (MATs) in the country and the largest in

the south west. The trust has 8,000 pupils on roll, employs c.1,700 staff and oversees an annual

revenue of c.£43 million.

Trust board meetings are held at St Boniface House, Ashburton, Devon, TQ13 7JL.

Trust Ethos and Values

Plymouth CAST inherits its ethos and values from the mission of the Catholic Church. The trust’s

mission is to provide outstanding education and learning in a safe environment where Catholic

values are promoted and encouraged for the benefit of all. Ultimately their aim is to be a trust with

schools:

where children of all abilities and backgrounds flourish;

where every parent would want their child educated;

where every school sector employee would want to work;

where all look to for good practice and innovation;

where vulnerable educational institutions look for support;

where ‘the gospel is preached at all times; where necessary, using words’ (after St

Francis).

Our Future Plans

“If we are to achieve our mission we must ensure that

EVERY CHILD

receives the support needed to become the best that they can be:

spiritually; academically; and socially.”

The trust is unique in that it came into being as a 36-school organisation; rather than slowly growing

to that size. While this brings many strengths, it means that its infrastructure and systems are still in

development and the trust is facing a number of challenges and as such is in the process of

overseeing a swift turnaround and change programme.

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

1. To strengthen governance and leadership. Following a recent Ofsted report, the trust has

begun a plan to overhaul its governance structure, strengthening the main board, reviewing its

central committees and local governance, and introducing a regional governance structure that

works more closely with the schools. The trust hopes to have this in place by January 2018 at

the latest. In parallel the trust is in the process of recruiting a new CEO and restructuring the

local accountability framework.

2. Rapid and sustained school improvement is critical for the trust and the board is recruiting a

Head of School Improvement to lead in this area alongside a recently recruited Chief Operating

Officer both of whom will report to the current interim CEO. In parallel Plymouth CAST is

implementing a “Target Tracker” across all its schools to strengthen monitoring and to better

examine their performance. All the trust’s schools will have been the subject of an OFSTED

inspection by July this year.

3. To continue the financial security of the trust. The role of the newly appointed Chief

Operating Offer is to drive forward improved financial control and to generate economies of

scale across the trust’s schools by centralising services and support functions such as

recruitment and procurement.

4. More sustainable solutions to individual school challenges. The board is currently looking

at solutions for specific schools that are facing challenges on performance, pupil numbers or

finances.

Governance Structure

The governance structure of Plymouth CAST is currently made up of:

Members - 3 all members of the Catholic clergy of which one is the Bishop

Trustees – 11 Trustees / Non-executive directors from across education, the clergy and business

with a majority meeting the Catholic foundation criteria

The trust currently operates as 3 clustered regions. This is anticipated to change as part of the

governance reorganisation and transformation.

The current structure is:

Chair of the Board

Selected by the trustees and formally approved by the Bishop, the Chair of Plymouth CAST

provides leadership and direction to the board of directors and enables the board to fulfil its

responsibilities for the overall governance and strategic direction of the trust.

The chair of the board plays a vital leading role in setting the direction and structures for the trust.

He/she supports the development of positive working relationships between the board, the

executive leaders and the trust staff.

THE CHAIR OF THE BOARD ROLE DESCRIPTION

Plymouth CAST is seeking to appoint a new Chair of the Board to:

— ensure that the organisation pursues its Objects as defined in its articles of association,

charity law, company law, public law and other relevant legislation/regulations determined

by the Education and Skills Funding Agency;

— work in partnership with the Chief Executive (CEO) to support the employees, helping them

achieve the aims of the organisation; and to optimise the relationship between the board of

directors and the staff;

— facilitate the board of directors in stimulating excellent, well-rounded and carefully

considered strategic decision-making.

In relation to the board, the Chair will:

— lead board meetings in a way which embodies the culture, values and ethos of the trust;

— facilitate the formulation of strategic plans and regular reviews of long-term strategic aims

of the trust;

— ensure the development of trust’s policies, defining of goals and targets and the evaluation

of performance against agreed targets;

— lead the board and challenge leaders appropriately in setting risk appetite and tolerance,

and ensure that the board has sight of, and understands, the trust’s risks and undertakes

scrutiny of risk management plans;

— approve the annual cycle of the board meetings, meeting agendas, chair and facilitate

meetings, monitor decisions taken at meetings and ensure they are implemented;

— assume guardianship of the legal and financial integrity of the trust;

— maintain careful oversight of any risk to reputation and/or financial standing of the trust;

— liaise regularly with the CEO to maintain a clear grasp of the trust’s financial position and to

ensure full and timely financial transparency and information disclosure to the board;

— lead and mentor other board members to fulfil their responsibilities and enable access to

training/coaching/information to enhance the overall contribution of the board, meeting

annually with each director to discuss the role and assess any training needs and develop

succession planning;

— annually lead the review of the board structure, role, staff relationships and ensure

implementation of agreed changes/developments are carried out;

— create a strong, profitable and fulfilling working relationship with trustees and the CEO

through review and self-reflective evaluation of contributions and effectiveness of the board;

— encourage team working among board members and encourage them to identify and

support the recruitment of new trustees as required.

In relation to the CEO / Executive Principal, the Chair will:

— in participation with the board, lead the appointment of the CEO, oversee the CEO’s

activities in the context of the implementation of the board’s strategy and policies, and lead

the process of appraising and constructively guiding the performance of the CEO;

— consult with the CEO on matters of strategy, governance, finance and HR;

— receive regular informal progress reports of the trust’s work and financial performance

through the CEO / Executive Principal.

In relation to the community and code of conduct, the Chair will:

— represent the trust as a spokesperson at appropriate events, meetings or functions;

— facilitate and in partnership with the CEO and trust board, pro-actively seek opportunities

for partnership working that supports the agreed strategic goals;

— ensure the protection and management of the assets of the trust;

— lead the board and work alongside the CEO in fostering relations with the sector’s

regulators and key strategic stakeholders;

— act as final stage adjudicator for disciplinary and grievance procedures, if required;

— facilitate change and address conflict within the board of trustees and within the trust, and

liaise with the CEO to achieve this;

— undertake review of external complaints as defined by the trust’s complaints procedure;

— ensuring adherence and compliance with the trust’s articles and policies, and in all

decisions and discussions of the board and its sub-committees;

— attend and be a member of other committees or working groups when appropriate in their

role as chair.

THE CHAIR OF THE BOARD PERSON SPECIFICATION

The role holder will be:

— an effective chair or strategic leader with the ability to fulfil strategic non-executive

leadership roles;

— mindful of their responsibilities under equality legislation and to the role of governing boards

in contributing to the wider education system in an increasingly diverse society.

Essential Qualities of a Chair

— Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of

trusteeship and adhering to Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity,

objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.

— Commitment to the trust’s objects, aims and values and willingness to devote time to carry

out responsibilities.

— Strategic and forward looking vision in relation to the trust’s objects and aims.

— Good, independent judgement, political impartiality and the ability to think creatively in the

context of the trust’s and external environment.

— Good communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to respect the confidences of

colleagues.

— Balancing tact and diplomacy with willingness to challenge and constructively criticise.

Plymouth CAST requires a Chair with experience of corporate strategic governance and

excellent skills in managing a board and a complex organisation –

— experience of chairing a board in the charity, public or private sector, the ability to chair

meetings effectively and to participate actively in group decision making;

— proven leadership experience to help guide the trust in a business-like manner through the

challenges that lie ahead;

— experience of working in a organisation with a revenue exceeding £40 million; and

— flexibility and willingness to travel to the trust and its schools, attend meetings and support

the trust as required.

The Chair will line manage the CEO and oversee the transformation of the trust, so will be skilled in

performance management and able to hold the executive of a large educational organisation to

account.

The chair of the board is a non-executive director, and as such will also be working to the non-

executive director requirement, in line with the broader aims of the board.

Key information

TIME COMMITMENT AND EXPENSES:

The role of the Chair of the board is a key role and will require around 4-6 days a month once in

post.

TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT:

The new Chair as a new non-executive director will receive induction training and supporting

material covering key issues of academytrust governance and the Plymouth CAST. They are also

expected to keep up to date with national and local issues through ongoing development.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES AND SAFEGUARDING:

All directors must be committed as an employer to equal opportunities and the safeguarding

requirements of the Plymouth CAST’s policies. All appointments require a disclosure check will this

will be undertaken prior to confirmation of appointment.

COMMITMENT TO THE CATHOLIC FAITH

As a Catholic diocesan MAT, the Chair must ensure the protection and embodiment of the Catholic

ethos of the trust and its schools, and therefore the Chair of the Board should be a practising

Roman Catholic in full communion with the Catholic Church.

CONFLICT OF INTERESTS:

All academy trusts are bound by the Academies Financial Handbook that sets out standards of

transparency. To be a non-executive director you will need to state if you are related to a board

member or an existing employee of Plymouth CAST, and if you have any financial interest in the

trust or any of its service partners.

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR RECRUITMENT

Academy Ambassadors is currently also recruiting for up to four non-executive directors for

Plymouth CAST. For more information, please see:

https://www.academyambassadors.org/business-leaders/board-opportunities/plymouth-cast

Application Process

If you would like to apply for the role of the chair of the board, please send a CV and a brief

expression of interest which sets out your suitability for the role in terms of your skills and

experience.

Please include your reasons and motivations for applying for a role.. Please ensure that you have

included work, mobile and home telephone contact numbers and an e-mail address if applicable.

Please send these and any questions you may have to

academyambassadors@newschoolsnetwork.org.

The closing date for applications is:

4th August 2017

Interviews are likely to be held during August and September in anticipation that the successful

applicant can take up their position during the first term of the new academic year.

We look forward to welcoming you to Plymouth CAST.

Schools

St. Mary’s Catholic Primary School Bodmin, PL31 1LW

St. John the Baptist Catholic Primary School Camborne, TR14 7AE

St. Mary’s Catholic Primary School Falmouth. TR11 4PW

St. Mary’s Catholic School Penzance, TR18 2AT

Notre Dame School Plymouth, PL6 5HN

St. Boniface’s Catholic College (Secondary) Plymouth, PL5 3AG

Cathedral School of St. Mary Plymouth, PL1 5RZ

Holy Cross Catholic Primary School Plymouth, PL4 9BE

Keyham Barton Catholic Primary School Plymouth, PL2 2DE

St. Jospeh’s Catholic Primary School Plymouth, PL1 4DJ

St. Paul’s Catholic Primary School Plymouth, PL5 1NE

St. Peter’s Catholic Primary School Plymouth, PL5 4HD

Our Lady’s Catholic Primary School Barnstaple, EX32 8DN

St. Margaret Clitherow C P School Brixham, TQ5 0EE

St. Mary’s Catholic Primary School Buckfast, TQ11 0EA

St. John the Baptist RC Primary School Dartmouth, TQ6 9HW

St. Nicholas Catholic Primary School Exeter, EX1 3EG

St. Joseph’s Catholic Primary School Exmouth, EX8 2JP

St. Joseph’s Catholic Primary School Newton Abbot, TQ12 1PT

Sacred Heart Catholic Nursery & Primary School Paignton, TQ3 2SH

Our Lady & St. Patrick’s Catholic Nursery & Primary School Teignmouth, TQ14 9DT

St. John’s Catholic Primary School Tiverton, EX16 5LA

Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Primary School Torquay, TQ2 6DB

Priory Catholic Primary School Torquay, TQ1 4NZ

The Orchard Nursery Bournemouth, BH11 9EH

St. Mary’s Catholic Primary School Axminster, EX13 5BE

Christ the King Catholic Primary School Bournemouth, BH11 9EH

St. Catherines Catholic Primary School Bridport, DT6 3TR

St. Mary’s Catholic First School Dorchester, DT1 2DD

St. Mary’s Catholic Primary School Marnhull, DT10 1JX

St. Joseph’s Catholic Primary School Poole, BH12 4DZ

St. Mary’s Catholic Primary School Poole, BH15 3QQ

St. Mary’s Catholic Primary School Swanage, BH19 1QE

St. Augustine’s Catholic Primary School Weymouth, DT4 0RH

St. Catherine’s Catholic Primary School Wimborne, BH21 2HN

St. Mary & St. Joseph’s Catholic Primary School Wool, BH20 6DS

For more information – please see http://www.plymouthcast.org.uk/web/our_schools/276738