Education for the 21st Century (E21C) is a values-led organisation, driven by a determination to create welcoming and open schools for the local community, where every person thrives, makes excellent progress, and succeeds. There are currently four secondary schools and four primary schools within the Trust. Four of the primary schools and three of the secondary schools are located in Bromley, South East London and a further secondary is close to Canterbury in Kent.

Its Primary academies offer an excellent education for children in Reception to Year 6. Children aged 4 to 11 receive support and encouragement from a dedicated team of staff. The family of schools also include secondary academies. Secondary schools in the Trust aim to imbue students with the skills necessary to excel in whatever they choose to do.

The Trust is committed to improving outcomes and transforming lives, realising social mobility, and the transformative power of education. It values the difference in all of its schools while seeking to bring them together around a framework that delivers an enriching experience and a great education for the young people within its care. E21C’s primary academies focus on nurturing each child as a young person, not just academically but socially and emotionally too. It encourages each child to develop a lifelong love of learning.

The Trust is ambitious and the Board is passionate about school improvement and becoming a model for other schools and MATs whilst going from strength to strength and making a real difference in young people and the community. As the Trust reaches the completion of its strategic plan for the previous three years, now is a particularly exciting time to join the Board – as Members play a key role in reviewing and honing the strategy for the next three years, those who join the Board now will have the opportunity to be instrumental both in setting the right strategy and in overseeing its successful execution throughout the duration of their term.

Please click here to learn more about E21C's principles; potential candidates may also like to watch this video to learn more about what E21C offers and its impact.

E21C has recently split out what was previously the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee to create a specialist Audit Committee, ensuring that this crucial area has the level of scrutiny it merits. The Board is now seeking a Chair for this Committee, who, alongside sitting on the main Trustee Board, will act as a critical friend to the management team and in particular the CFO in advising on matters relating to audit.

Their responsibilities will be as follows:  

• Scrutinise and ensure that the Trust’s finances are appropriately accounted for through budget setting, monitoring, preparation and publication of accounts and overseeing any investment decisions
• Advise the Board on internal and external audit, internal controls and risk management
• Oversee, encourage and monitor the effectiveness of the financial and other internal controls of The Trust, on behalf of the Board
• Keep under review the internal controls and risk management systems
• Review the audited annual report and financial statements 
• Give assurance to the Board that the financial operations are being managed and operated
• Ensure the Trust’s compliance with legal duties and responsibilities, including adherence to the Trust’s Memorandum and Articles

Click here for the Trust's Scheme of Delegation. This Scheme of Delegation has been developed to clarify the responsibilities and powers of Trustees and those delegated to the Trust level sub-committees, the Executive Leadership Team and Local Governing Bodies in respect of key aspects of the leadership and management of the Trust and its Academies and to ensure compliance with legal requirements and with the Trust’s Articles of Association.

E21C seeks a Chair of its Audit Committee with strong financial and accounting acumen. They will be able to provide guidance and oversight as The Trust looks towards ensuring its long-term sustainability and resilience.

The successful candidate will have previously held a senior finance position at a strategic level (ideally at director level), sat on committees, and will bring exposure to working with or sitting on Boards. They will also be passionate about making a tangible difference in the lives of children living and will share the Trust's commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.

The Trust's CFO will be presenting the relevant information before meetings, and the Chair of the Audit Committee should have the relevant knowledge and financial experience to understand the information being presented. Experience in good governance will be helpful for this role but if the candidate brings a strong finance background without experience as a Chair or Board Member, they will be supported by the Board.

Please click here for more information about the Board. 

Members meet four times per year; these meetings will either be online or in-person (in Bromley and Kent), but this is flexible according to Members’ availability. There is also an annual strategy day, and each Board Committee meets three times per year online. All meeting dates will be provided a year in advance. Members will be required to prepare for meetings with readings and provide remote support on occasion. This role is unremunerated, but reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed.

E21C welcomes applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability. It is particularly keen to improve the diversity of the Board and ensure that it is representative of the communities it supports. As those from an ethnic minority background and individuals of different age groups are currently underrepresented on the Board, applications from those individuals would be particularly encouraged. 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.