The Kemnal Academies Trust (TKAT) is one of the largest multi-academy trusts in the South & East of England with 45 Primary, Secondary and Special Academies in the TKAT Family. Its ultimate aim is to ensure it drives educational standards through the provision of outstanding teaching, leadership and learning for all.

Located in Portsmouth, Miltoncross Academy is an 11-16 school for circa 900 students. Sitting at the heart of its community, and driven by its motto, 'Flourish', Miltoncross aspires to enable outstanding achievement, develop the highest aspirations for all and provide first rate opportunities for the children and adults who learn and work at the Academy. Focusing on precision teaching in classrooms which are free from distraction, Miltoncross strives to create and maintain an academically aspirant school where children work hard and learn well.

Miltoncross is determined for its students to receive a rounded education that enables them to be academically and personally successful. It aims to prepare its children and young adults to compete for the best college courses, university places and careers. Guided by the core values 'work hard, be kind, no excuses', Miltoncross students are set up to lead successful and happy adult lives, whatever they decide to do next.

Looking to the future, under the leadership of its Headteacher, Nick Giles, Miltoncross aims to maintain and improve upon its current 'Good' Ofsted rating, while continuing to demonstrate the significant value-add of its educational programme. It is hoped that enrolment will continue on its upwards trajectory and that more and more school leavers will progress into high quality further and higher education.

Miltoncross Academy is part of TKAT, a Multi-Academy Trust. The Trust is a charity and its Board of Trustees must ensure that it complies with its charitable objects which relate to the provision of education in its schools. As such it is the Trust Board that is accountable for the performance of the Academies in the Trust, and in turn, it is held to account by the Department for Education.

The Trust has chosen to appoint committees for each of its academies and these are known as Local Governing Bodies (LGBs). The LGB’s responsibilities are set out in a Scheme of Delegation which is available here.

The specific tasks and responsibilities of Local Governing Bodies can be summarised as follows:

• Represent the Academy’s local community and stakeholders by ensuring that the Academy’s policies and practice meet the community’s needs
• Ensure that the Academy’s long term vision reflects the needs of its community beyond current postholders and is in line with TKAT’s vision and values
• Support Directors of Education to improve Academy outcomes
• Support the Headteacher to ensure staffing is efficient and effective

The Trust is open to candidates coming from a range of different backgrounds. The role would suit someone who is operating at a strategic-level in their executive career, who understands the difference between governance and management, and has the interpersonal skills and confidence required to lead the Board. Miltoncross is very much a community school, and it would be helpful if the appointed candidate had some understanding of the local area — however, this is not an essential requirement.

Above all, the appointed individual must embody the Academy's values ('work hard, be kind, no excuses') and be a champion for its high quality, aspirational educational programme.

Previous Chair or school Governor experience is welcome, but not essential. There is likely to be a transition period of a few months to ease the new Chair into the position.

Further information on existing Board members can be found here. 

The Chair will be appointed on a four-year term, which is renewable. There are six Board meetings per year plus four meetings of the Pay Committee. Meetings are generally hybrid in format, though it is expected that the Chair will attend as many in-person as possible. These take place on-site at the School. Occasional school visits and attendance at regular and ad hoc events is expected and encouraged. This is a pro bono role, however reasonable travel expenses are covered for attendance at meetings.

UK - South East (Portsmouth)

TKAT welcomes applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith 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. TKAT is committed to continuous improvement in how representative it is of its local communities, including gender, ethnicity, religion, age, and all other aspects of diversity.