Are you interested in becoming a parent director?

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN BEING A PARENT DIRECTOR ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR NUNTHORPE ACADEMY?

Nunthorpe School became an academy on 1 October 2012, which means it is now an independent state school, no longer under the control of the local authority, and a charitable company limited by guarantee. The Academy is governed by a new Board of Directors and there are vacancies for two parent directors. Parents or guardians of children attending the academy are invited to apply.

What is the role of an Academy Director?

The Board of Directors manages the academy on behalf of the members of the Academy Trust. Their role is similar to that of a governing body in a Local Authority maintained school, but as directors, they also have to ensure they adhere to company and charitable law. The key responsibilities are to:

ensure the quality of educational provision;
challenge and monitor the performance of the academy;
manage the academy trust’s finances and property; and
employ the staff of the academy.

Do I need any particular qualifications or experience?

There are no specific qualifications or experience required. More importantly, we are looking for people who are enthusiastic, interested in the education of our students, willing to learn and prepared to commit time to the important, interesting and hugely rewarding task of governing the academy. The important thing to remember is that you would not be making decisions in isolation, but would always be working as part of a team of directors.

Would there be any training available?

There is an expectation that new directors will attend induction training and that they should also have an ongoing commitment to attend other development and training courses during their term of office. All training is paid for by the Academy. There will be no charge to individual directors. New directors are also provided with a welcome pack, including useful information and resources to assist them in their new role.

How much time would I be expected to give?

Nunthorpe Academy’s Full Board of Directors currently meets six times a year. There may sometimes be additional special meetings of the board and you will also be expected to be a member of at least one or two smaller directors’ committees that meet regularly. Directors are also encouraged to get to know the academy in more informal ways and to occasionally visit during its working day. The average monthly commitment for a Nunthorpe director is estimated as 8-10 hours.

Who else is on the Board?

There are 16 directors in total, made up as detailed below:-

2 parent directors (to be elected by parents)
2 staff directors (to be elected by staff)
The Principal of the Academy
10 community directors (appointed by the Academy Trust)
1 co-opted director (appointed by the Board of Directors)

How long would my appointment last?

Your term of office would be for a period of four years. However, a parent director shall cease to hold office when they cease to be a parent of a registered student at the Academy.

So how do I become a Parent Director?

If you want to become a parent director, you should contact Laura Buckell (the Principal’s PA) at the academy on 01642 310561 (Extension 105), who will send you a nomination form. Your nomination needs the backing of two other parents/guardians of CURRENT Nunthorpe Academy students from different families. YOUR SIGNED FORM SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE ACADEMY IN A SEALED ENVELOPE MARKED “NOMINATION OF PARENT DIRECTOR – FOR THE ATTENTION OF LAURA BUCKELL” NO LATER THAN FRIDAY 25 JANUARY 2013.

If there are more applicants than places available a ballot will be organised and all parents will be sent a ballot paper. If the required number of parents apply, they will automatically be elected.

Disqualifications and Checks

There are certain circumstances, which would disqualify a person from becoming a director. These are given in detail within the nomination form and you should read these and sign the relevant declarations. The successful candidate will also be asked to complete an application form for an enhanced criminal records disclosure and present their disclosure to the Chair of the Board of Directors.

Further details

If you have further queries that have not been answered please contact Glennis Smith at Redcar and Cleveland School Governor Support Service on 01642 444333.