East Birmingham Network (EBN) Academy Trust started as a single school Academy in Yardley, Birmingham, before expanding to a second location in Castle Vale in 2015, when it became an Academy Trust. Set up by the EBN, a partnership of 12 secondary schools in the East of Birmingham, the EBN Academy Trust provides high-quality education for over 150 students who require alternative provisions.

The Academy Trust consists of two Alternative Provision Free Schools for students aged 13-16 years old, both rated 'Good' by Ofsted, which provide a rigorous curriculum and a broad enrichment programme to all of its students. EBN Academy Trust believes that all students can achieve excellence and that they deserve the very best in order to reach their potential. The schools' caring environment values achievement, where tolerance and mutual respect are paramount.

EBN Academy Trusts' ethos is “No Loss to Learning – No Child Left Behind”, driving EBN staff to have the highest expectations for all students in terms of academic progress, personal conduct and aspirations for the future. EBN Academy Trust is a student-centred community based around a culture of high expectations, discipline, tolerance and respect. All professional colleagues associated with the Trust are responsible for:

• Embedding and delivering the vision for the Trust
• Having high aspirations for every student
• Taking responsibility for supporting students in preparing for adult life
• Working tirelessly to support the students and families it serves
• Ensuring that students are extremely motivated to achieve their potential and show high levels of discipline, motivation and aspiration

The Trust and the individual Academies share and constantly reinforce its principles with the students as a way of life. EBN Academy Trust believes in the potential of every student, and has created an aspirational culture for all children who come to the Academy.

This is an exceptional opportunity to shape and lead the continued development and direction of a local Academy Trust.

The Chair's responsibilities include:

• Leading the Board of Trustees, providing strategic leadership and governance for EBN Academy Trust
• Holding the Executive Head Teacher, executive and senior leadership team to account
• Ensuring an excellent education and level of safeguarding of students, as well as setting and monitoring performance benchmarks alongside fellow Trustees and the Executive Head Teacher
• Ensuring that the Board focuses on the right areas and is able to respond to opportunities and challenges effectively, both in terms of the way in which it conducts its business and the skills of the Trustees
• Developing productive and supportive professional relationships with others on the Board and in the executive leadership team, particularly with the Executive Head Teacher
• Monitoring expenditure and overseeing effective asset and risk management, in line with legal obligations

East Birmingham Network Academy is seeking a new Chair to join its Board. This individual will lead the Board with exceptional leadership skills, holding EBN leadership to account and offering high level challenge, scrutiny and support.

EBN Academy is interested in candidates from a range of professional backgrounds but candidates should have operated at a strategic level and bring senior leadership experience. Experience could have been gained in the private, not-for-profit or public sector and ideally candidates would have some prior board-level experience. Candidates do not necessarily need prior experience of the education sector but they should be passionate about and interested in education and transforming the lives of young people.

Above all, the successful candidate will be able to provide leadership to the Board, and support and challenge the executive through difficult decisions in this challenging climate for the education sector. EBN Academy Trust is not accepting applications from parents at this time.

A list of the current Board members can be found here.

The time commitment is around 16 days / year. There are four Board meetings per year, with one meeting (with the Head) per month and ad hoc engagement. Meetings take place in person at the School, but are sometimes hybrid, and last 1.5-2 hours, usually in the mornings on weekdays. The appointment is for an initial term of four years, which can be renewed at the discretion of the Board. This role is unremunerated, but reasonable, pre-agreed expenses will be reimbursed.

Candidates will be based in the Midlands, or will be happy to travel to Board meetings.