Warwick Independent Schools Foundation (the Foundation) is the Governing Body for Warwick Preparatory School, Warwick Junior School, The Kinsgley School, King’s High School, and Warwick School. It is a leading educational charity providing education to over 2,800 pupils from ages 3 to 18. The Foundation’s fundamental aim is to enable each pupil to achieve personal fulfilment and success, and it seeks to develop intelligent, responsible, resilient and compassionate young people of character to succeed in a changing world.

Its historic schools are Warwick Preparatory School and King’s High School, which operate as a through-school for girls with a co-educational Pre-Prep, and Warwick Junior School and Warwick School, which operate as a through-school for boys. These schools are located on the Foundation’s 55-acre site in Warwick. Between them, they educate some 2,600 pupils, and offer a unique model of education in the Midlands: co-education for its pupils aged 3 to 7, and single-sex education from age 7 onwards. This provides ‘the best of both worlds’ for its pupils: teaching specifically tailored to their needs with extensive opportunities to collaborate outside the classroom.

In a new and exciting development for the Foundation, The Kingsley School, Royal Leamington Spa was welcomed into its family of schools in March 2021. Kingsley is an established and highly regarded school for girls (3-18) and boys (3-7). Kingsley continues to operate from its site in Leamington. 

More information about the schools may be found on their websites: 

• www.warwickprep.com
• www.kingshighwarwick.co.uk
• www.warwickschool.org
• www.thekingsleyschool.co.uk 

The Foundation has active membership of the following associations:

• AGBIS
• GSA
• HMC
• IAPS
• ISA
• ISBA

The Foundation has achieved a great deal over recent years: £40m investment in the ‘Best of Both Worlds’ vision, which included the relocation of King’s High to the main Myton Road site alongside significant additional investment in infrastructure and sports facilities; the welcoming of The Kingsley School into the Charity; and, a new organisational structure which saw the appointment of a Foundation Principal.

This is an exciting time for a new Governor to join the Foundation as it embarks on developing a new 2025 strategy, which will focus on positioning the family of schools as a nationally renowned education group where all pupils benefit from world-class provision that prepares them to be positive contributors to a 21st century society.

Governors will work closely with the Foundation Principal to:

• Ensure that there is clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
• Hold executive leaders to account for the educational performance of the Foundation's 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

Additionally, Governors will monitor the priorities that have been set to ensure progress is being made by:

• Measuring the Foundation's impact and progress towards its strategic objectives
• Ensuring that the required policies and procedures are in place and the Foundation is operating effectively in line with these policies
• Holding the senior executive leaders to account for standards, financial probity and compliance with agreed policies
• Evaluating relevant data and feedback provided by senior executive leaders and external reporting on all aspects of the Foundation's performance
• Asking challenging questions of the senior executive leaders in order to hold them to account ensuring that there are policies and procedures in place to deal with complaints effectively

The Foundation is looking for a new Governor to challenge and provide support to leadership as it embarks on a new 2025 strategy, and to bring diverse perspective to the Board. They will challenge constructively, be a lateral thinker, and will be able to advise, guide and test others to approach problems in agile ways to ensure that the Board continues to be forward-looking and innovative. They will be a team player, have a strategic approach and be able to balance seeing the bigger picture with the need to focus on the details when necessary. The candidate must be an excellent communicator, highly collaborative, and will have the ability to guide and advise a range of stakeholders. A strong interest in education and an alignment with the Foundation's mission and values are essential.

As part of its mission to diversify its community and look beyond traditional approaches, the Foundation is very open to hearing from those looking to take on their first board role. Above all, the successful candidate will be passionate about the life-changing impact of the Foundation's education, and share a commitment to building a diverse and inclusive community in the years ahead.

Due to the current make-up of the board the Foundation does not wish to consider any applications from parents. This is an excellent opportunity for a high-achieving individual who may be seeking their first non-executive board role. The Foundation strongly recommends applications from individuals from under-represented backgrounds and in particular welcomes minority ethnic candidates to apply.

This role is unremunerated, but reasonable, pre-agreed travel expenses will be reimbursed. There are three Board meetings, three Committee and three Tactical Committee meetings per year. All Governors tend to sit on two Committees: a School Committee and on at least one of the four tactical Committees: Safeguarding, Education, Resources & Estates and Finance & Regulatory. These meetings currently follow a hybrid model - meetings are done in-person but members can join virtually if necessary. The appointment is for a four-year term, which can be renewed twice at the discretion of the Board.