St John Bosco Catholic Academy (SJBCA) is a community of Catholic schools brought together to secure and preserve Catholic education. Comprising eight academies, SJBCA is a Catholic Multi Academy Trust (MAT) and a Charitable Trust established in 2013. From its inception, as a partnership of a secondary and two feeder primary schools in the Dudley Borough, today SJBCA has a strong network of eight academies (six Primary Schools and two Secondary Schools) in the West Midlands, who work together and across the educational landscape to provide an outstanding education for all its pupils, whilst also nurturing the unique God-given talents of every individual, providing a quality, distinctively Catholic education to its diverse community.

Today, across its eight academies, the Trust comprises 3,021 pupil places, approximately 400 staff members (with a 96% staff retention rate), and 61 Governors and Directors. To date, the Trust has distributed £418,836 of school capital allocation funding spent across four of its schools and secured £2,213,475 of capital investment in seven out of its eight schools. Successful initiatives have included:

• Flat roof replacement at St Mary's
• Refurbished Sixth Form Centre at Bishop Milner Catholic College
• Fire Compliance project at St John Bosco Catholic Primary School
• Safeguarding project at St Bernadette's

The Board and Directors work closely with the schools, governors, staff, parents and the local community to achieve the best possible academic outcomes for pupils, and to support and celebrate the diversity of its school communities, inspired by the core values of Catholic Social Teaching.

St John Bosco Catholic Academy’s Directors are responsible for the strategic leadership and direction of the MAT, ensuring that it adheres to its mission, values and aims as well as being accountable for driving educational standards and good financial practice.

The Trust is looking for new Directors to join the Board. Directors will:

• Practise the highest standards of governance, as set out in Charity Commission Guidance
• Work with the Senior Executive team to set the Trust’s strategic direction and keep it under constant and constructive critical review
• Set aims and objectives for the improvement of provision and outcomes in the schools
• Ensure there is an improvement and development plan in place for the Trust and each school to achieve the targets, embed policies, and secure the aims and objectives
• Set and monitor the budget for the Trust and the schools and allocate resources taking into account the aims and objectives
• Challenge and support each Head to improve the school they lead; with particular focus on pupils who may not be making expected progress and the disadvantaged
• Review the overall effectiveness of the strategy and regularly review the framework for the Trust in light of evidence of progress
• Account to all stakeholders for the performance of the schools

St John Bosco Catholic Academy has a Board of Directors with two sub-committees overseeing Finance, Audit and Risk and Education, Pay and HR. Each academy has a Governing Body, including a group Secondary School Board. Both the Trust and the Academies must comply with any advice or directive issued by or on behalf of the Diocesan Bishop.

The St John Bosco Catholic Academy seeks to appoint at least two new Directors to join its Board. The successful candidate(s) will be a practising Catholic, with deep connection to their faith, and be committed to the values of Catholic Social Teaching. 

The Board is interested in candidates from a range of professional backgrounds including HR, Legal, Estates, Digital, Safeguarding, Governance and public, private or charity sector leadership. As the Board is currently well represented with finance expertise, it is therefore not interested in candidates from a financial background on this occasion.

Candidates will bring strategic vision to the Director position and to wider Board discussions. Prior non-executive director experience is not a requirement for this role, as long as candidates exhibit an understanding of board dynamics, differentiating between executive and non-executive roles. Candidates will meet with the Archdiocese of Birmingham as part of the interview process and will be asked to provide a reference from their Parish Priest.

Location: SJBCA is located in Dudley, West Midlands and there is a strong preference for candidates to be based locally to enable them to actively participate with the Trust as well as attend meetings in person.

Phil Hancox, Chair
Gaynor Rennicks 
Shaun Millington
Paul Piddock
James Wiltshire
Ian Bickley
Alistair Campbell

This role is not remunerated and the expected time commitment will be c. 9-12 half days per year for meetings, preparation time and visits. This includes 5 full Board meetings and 4 Committee meetings. The Trust operates in the West Midlands, with headquarters in Dudley. Meetings take place in person, wherever possible, in Bishops Milner in Dudley or Wednesbury in Sandwell. 

This is a voluntary, unremunerated role, however reasonable pre-agreed travel expenses will be reimbursed. 

St John Bosco Catholic Multi Academy Trust welcomes applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability. All appointments will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process. In line with the Equality Act 2010, however, the organisation may employ positive action where candidates from underrepresented groups can demonstrate their ability to perform the role equally well.