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Catch22
,
Basingstoke, Hampshire
Chair of Governors
Overview
Job Description
Company Description The Catch22 Multi Academies Trust is the vehicle for our sponsorship of an expanding number of academies focusing on learners who can benefit from small, supportive alternative education provision. This position is for our newest Academy; The Austen Academy an all through ASD/SCN Special Free School, set up in partnership with Hampshire County Council. Academy sponsorship is about using partnerships to provide specific expertise and skills to enhance standards. Catch22, with our existing wide experience of alternative education & SEMH provision, brings a focus on academic and behavioural improvement leading to positive destinations at the end of Year 11, infrastructure support, improvement to pastoral provision and greater focus on preparing young people for the world of work. We look to increase access to one to one and mentoring opportunities through a mixture of off-site and extra curricular events in order to improve the self-esteem and self-confidence of learners. We also implement speech and language development programmes. We offer a full national curriculum as well as a nurturing environment and vocational subjects for older students. We have high aspirations for all learners, with an expectation that all secondary learners will work toward achieving at least five GCSEs. Job Description The Chair of Governors role is voluntary and the key requirement is to lead the work of the Governing Body in ensuring high standards of achievement for all children and young people in the school by: * Supporting the Academy's vision, ethos and strategic direction; * Holding the Headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils; Key Responsibilities As part of the Governing Body team, the Chair is expected to: 1. Lead on, and contribute to the strategic discussions at governing body meetings which determine: * clear & ambitious strategic priorities and targets * that all children, have access to a broad and balanced curriculum; * the school's staffing structure and key staffing policies; 2. Hold the senior leaders to account by monitoring the school's performance; this includes: * agreeing the outcomes from the school's self-evaluation and ensuring they are used to inform the priorities in the school development plan; * considering all relevant data and feedback on all aspects of school performance; * asking challenging questions of school leaders; * ensuring senior leaders have adapted the required Catch22 policies and procedures and that the school is operating effectively according to those policies; * acting as a link governor on a specific issue, making relevant enquiries of the relevant staff, and reporting to the governing body on the progress on the relevant school priority; * listening to and reporting to the school's stakeholders: pupils, parents, staff, and the wider community, including local employers. 3. Ensure the school staff have the resources and support they require to do their jobs well, including the necessary expertise on effective appraisal and CPD (Continuing Professional Development) and monitor the impact of these resources. 4. When required, assist the MAT in matters such as; * appointing the Headteacher and other senior leaders; * involvement with staff grievances and disciplinary matters; * hearing appeals about pupil exclusions. 5. Liaise with the Clerk to the LGB in ensuring that; * agendas and relevant papers are circulated to the LGB at least a week before the next meeting * meetings are conducted in accordance with the MAT Scheme of Delegation and Terms of Reference * accurate minutes are produced for each meeting, with a summary of actions required and by whom * Annual Returns including Register of Interests, Meeting Attendance and LGB Skills Audits are completed and submitted within 1 month of year end. 6. In order to perform this role well, a Chair of Governors is expected to: * get to know the school, including by visiting the school occasionally during school hours, and gain a good understanding of the school's strengths and weaknesses; * attend induction training and regular relevant training and development events; * attend LGB meetings and read all the papers before the meeting; * act in the best interest of all the pupils of the school; * behave in a professional manner, as set down in the governing body's code of conduct, including acting in strict confidence. Qualifications Personal Attributes We are looking for a Chair of Governors that can provide the following key skills & areas of expertise; governors should have experience in at least some of these areas. Experience of organisational leadership (essential for the Chair) Performance Management in the context of outcomes and progression Safeguarding Educational delivery in an AP, SEMH, ASD and/or mainstream context Financial Management and Fund Raising Human Resource Management, including staff development Knowledge of the local area, including the labour market Add