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 provision.

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, will have high aspirations for every student, will take responsibility for supporting students in preparing for adult life and work tirelessly to support the students and families it serves. Students will be extremely motivated to achieve their potential and will 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.

Chair

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
• Along with fellow Trustees and the Executive Head Teacher, ensuring an excellent education and level of safeguarding of students, as well as setting and monitoring performance benchmarks
• 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

Director (HR)

Directors of an Academy Trust fulfil the role of both Directors under company law and Trustees under charity law.

In short, their responsibilities are to work closely with the Executive Head Teacher to:

• Ensure that there is clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
• Hold executive leaders to account for the educational performance of the Schools and its pupils, and the performance management of staff
• Oversee the financial performance of the Trust, making sure its money is well spent
• Ensure that the voices of stakeholders are heard
• Ensure compliance

Chair

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 welcomes interest from those with a variety of personal and professional backgrounds, but is particularly interested in those with experience in educational leadership, or with a strong passion for education.

The successful candidates may have held senior leadership positions in education, such as head teacher of a primary or secondary school or have worked in a leadership position within another academy trust. This person might also bring experience of working with SEND or additional needs education, and may have had DFE / ESFA exposure in previous roles. The successful candidate will have an up to date understanding of current legislation, and will be familiar with the MAT / Academy landscape. An awareness of budgetary management would be useful. Although prior board experience is welcome, EBN Academy Trust is open to applications from first-time non-executives.

Above all, the successful candidates will be aligned with the Academy's mission to inspire children and young people in Birmingham to excel through education. EBN Academy Trust is not accepting applications from Parents at this time.

Director (HR)

East Birmingham Network Academy is seeking a new Director to join its Board. This individual will have senior leadership experience in HR. EBN Academy Trust welcomes interest from those with a variety of personal and professional backgrounds, but is particularly interested in those with experience in HR or employment law.

The successful candidates will have good commercial understanding, and will not come from an educational background. This person will be responsible for making sure that EBN Academy Trust is legally watertight and protected, so legal knowledge would be a benefit, but is not required. Although prior board experience is welcome, the EBN Academy Trust is open to applications from first-time non-executives.

Above all, the successful candidates will be aligned with the Academy's mission to inspire children and young people in Birmingham to excel through education. EBN Academy Trust is not accepting applications from parents at this time.

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

Chair

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.

Director (HR)

The time commitment is around six days per year. There are four Board meetings per year 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.

For the Chair role, candidates should be based in the Midlands. For the Director role, as meetings are often hybrid, candidates could be based anywhere.

As part of its commitment to Diversity, EBN Academy Trust welcomes applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability. As those from ethnic minority backgrounds are currently under-represented 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.