Established in 2011, Empower Learning Academy Trust governs outstanding schools at both primary and secondary level. Presently comprising Hall Mead School, Bower Park Academy, The Brittons Academy and Hacton Primary School, the Trust intends to use the experience and expertise developed in these schools to welcome, support and develop other local schools into its family—two further schools are set to merge with the Trust in October. With over 3,200 pupils and 590 staff, Empower's turnover is just shy of £25m. Bower Park joined the Trust in September 2016, along with Hall Mead School and The Brittons Academy. Hall Mead, as the sponsor, is an outstanding school with teaching school status.

Located in Romford, Essex, Bower Park Academy is at the heart of the local community, providing a caring and supportive environment where students are nurtured and supported to achieve success. Providing a high‑quality learning for all students the Academy believes that, no matter what their starting point or personal circumstances, every student can achieve success. 

Empower's purpose is to inspire its family of schools to provide opportunities for its pupils, staff and leaders to be the best they can be; to create a passion for lifelong learning; and to enable its pupils to become confident, kind and impactful world citizens. Its vision is to build a family of local primary and secondary schools with a shared ethos of continual improvement, where powerful teaching, challenge, support and accountability lie at the heart of creating environments that focus relentlessly on the needs of the learning community and deliver outstanding outcomes for all pupils.

The Local Governance Committee of Bower Park Academy is accountable in law and the Academy’s Articles of Association. It is responsible for the conduct of the school and for promoting high standards of education within a safe environment. The roles of individual Governors, and, subsequently, members of a governing body, work collectively to perform a strategic role and carry out key functions.

The three core functions of the Local Governance Committee are to:

1. Set the strategic direction for the school, by establishing a vision, aims and objectives for the school, agreeing the priorities, policies and targets for the school to achieve these aims and objectives
2. Support and challenge the school, by monitoring and reviewing the work of the school, reviewing and evaluating the effectiveness of the policy framework and evaluating its own effectiveness
3. Be accountable to students, parents and staff, by ensuring the proper and effective use of the school’s resources, responding to Ofsted reports as necessary, holding the Principal to account for the performance of the school, making information available and consulting as appropriate

Bower Park Academy seeks a new Chair with senior strategic experience to guide its Local Governance Committee and to offer robust but constructive challenge. They will be calm, inquisitive, have a passion for the school, understand the local context, and be willing to spend time with the Academy's senior leadership. The Trust is open as to the successful applicant's background, but they will bring leadership experience, and will ensure that the Trust's values are reflected in the Academy's governance. 

Above all, the Chair will be aligned with the Trust's values of passion, respect, inclusion, challenge, and openness. Previous chair or school governor experience is welcome, but not essential. There will be a several month transition to ease the new Chair into the position. 

A list of current Governors can be found here.

There are five Committee meetings per year. Initially, the Chair will be expected to meet fortnightly with the Head Teacher, though over time this may become monthly. Additionally, the Chair will attend termly Trust Chair / Vice Chair meetings (a total of three per year), the annual Governance Conference, and lead a strategy half day with the LGC and School's Senior Leadership Team. Finally, some ad hoc engagement may also be required. The appointment is for a renewable four-year term. The role is unremunerated but reasonable, pre-agreed expenses will be reimbursed.

Candidates will be UK based.