Thrive Education Partnership (TEP) is a growing multi-academy trust specialised in educating young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). It consists of five Special Needs Academies, an autism-specific primary satellite provision, and a social, emotional and mental health / additional support (SEMH/AS) resource base within a large secondary mainstream school. With schools located across Birmingham, Warwickshire, Walsall and Coventry, TEP employs approximately 530 staff and supports approximately 850 pupils (2-19 years of age). It has an annual turnover of over £14m.

TEP is dedicated to improving life chances for children and young people through a culture of challenge, high expectations, and values-based decision-making. With a highly effective central team in place, TEP enables its settings to concentrate on their core purpose of educating children and young people. Collaboration with academics and SEND professionals helps inform the implementation of innovative, evidence-based educational strategies. TEP operates on a model of specialist support, inclusivity, and integration, aiming to provide every child and young person with the opportunity to play an independent role in their communities and achieve their desired goals.

In the years ahead, TEP will keep its focus on consolidating and improving its existing educational provision, ensuring each establishment has strong, sustainable foundations. Meanwhile it will remain open to growing by taking on new institutions, but this will be approached in a highly strategic, managed way.

The Board of Trustees has overall responsibility and ultimate decision-making authority for all the work of the Trust. They are responsible for governing the charitable company and directing how it is managed and run, ensuring that it complies with all legal and statutory requirements. The Board works closely with the Trust's senior executive leaders; however, while the senior executive leaders are responsible for day-to-day operational management of the Trust and its schools, the role of the Board is strategic.

The core functions of the Board of Trustees are as follows:

1. Ensuring that there is clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
2. Holding executive leaders to account for the educational performance of the organisation and its pupils and the performance management of staff
3. Overseeing the financial performance of the organisation and making sure its money is well spent

Trustees at Thrive are expected to:

• Commit sufficient time to actively contribute to the Trust board and attend meetings
• Develop knowledge and understanding of the Trust board and the wider context in which it operates, as well as the needs of the young people it educates
• Participate in training, such as safeguarding
• Sign up and adhere to the ‘Code of Conduct’ for Trustees
• Act within the law and with regard to statutory guidance
• Demonstrate commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people

Thrive Education Partnership (TEP) is seeking a Trustee with senior strategic-level experience in financial management to provide critical support and guidance to the Board and the executive team. 

The successful candidate could come from a range of executive leadership backgrounds. They may be working within the finance function of a successful organisation, or they may be a consultant in a professional services environment. An accounting qualification is expected, although consideration will be given to those who are not qualified but who have a depth of relevant financial leadership experience. Exposure to the education sector, or to public sector funding models, is not required. The Board is interested in hearing from individuals from all sectors. 

The Board is open to making more than one appointment as part of this process, and so it also welcomes applications from individuals with other skillsets and backgrounds, particularly in property and estates management.  

All candidates will need to possess a positive, collaborative approach, as well as the confidence and professionalism required to make effective contributions in Board discussions. The Board welcomes applications from first-time non-executives, provided they can demonstrate an understanding of the governance role. Fundamentally, applicants must be interested in the education of young people with special education needs.

A full list of current Trustees can be found here. 

This role is unremunerated, however reasonable, pre-agreed travel expenses will be reimbursed. The main Board meets online up to six times per year. Meetings last for two hours and tend to be held in the evening during the working week. This Trustee would also be expected to join the Finance Committee, which meets a further six times per year, also online. There is also an annual staff conference which Trustees are encourages to attend, and Trustees may be asked to take on additional responsibilities, such as becoming the Board's lead for an area such as safeguarding or health and safety. The appointment is for a four-year term, which can be renewed at the discretion of the Board.

This organisation is based in Birmingham and operates schools across Birmingham, Coventry and Warwickshire. All meetings currently take place online, but there is an expectation that Trustees will visit schools and engage in the life of the Trust. Candidates will therefore be UK-based and ideally located within the geographic reach of the Trust. 

TEP welcomes applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, belief 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.