Chair of Governors - Cambridge, United Kingdom - CATS Global Schools

CATS Global Schools

Verified Company

Cambridge, United Kingdom

2 weeks ago

Posted by:

Tom O´Connor

beBee Recruiter

Description

ontext of Appointment

Owned by Bright Scholar, CATS Global Schools is a leading provider of pre-university academic and English language courses chosen by a growing number of international students and domestic K12's looking to win places at UK and US universities.

The group also operates schools in China and Boston along with the CSVPA school in London and Cambridge, focused on visual and performing arts.

The group consists of 14 assets globally that make up the current portfolio of education facilities within the group.

The group can be categorised into 4 divisions, High school, English Language, Arts and Enterprise and Partnerships.

This role is focused on the High School component of the group for which there are 6 schools in the UK located in Bournemouth, London, Llanelli, Northampton, Canterbury and Cambridge.

This group of schools was founded through 3 divestments of various education groups selling assets to Bright Scholar to form the current UK High school portfolio.

The make-up of the schools is a mix of premium international 6th form colleges, traditional UK K12 boarding schools and a hybrid of international and domestic students.

The group has grown in scale since inception and is now focused on phase 2 expansion and development.

The role of COG is currently occupied by the CEO of the group and the governing body has developed under the CEO's oversight into a group forum with local governance in each of the schools and credible external participation.

There is a strong track record of exceptional progression outcomes both through the UFP and A Level to Russell Group, G5 and Oxbridge.

The group wants to improve on these and focus more on academic results getting recognition on national league tables.

Within the international schools there are over 100 different nationalities creating a rich environment of inclusivity and diversity.

The Role

The Chair of Governors provides leadership to the UK High School Governing Board, holding them and the executive team to account for the six schools' mission and vision, ensuring that they fulfil their duties and responsibilities to effectively set and deliver the strategy across the schools for which they are responsible.

Other key requirements are to:

Maintain the nonexecutive branch of the schools with an oversight role, while allowing and encouraging the senior management teams to take full responsibility for executive decisions.
Provide positive and sensitive leadership for the governing bodies.
Lead the board in overseeing and reviewing strategic plans and goals and ensure that the schools' work reflects the vision, mission and values.
Support the strategy of delivering maximum impact for pupils across the full age range for which the schools are responsible.
Enable the board to review major risks and associated opportunities (eg. to consider development plans and major capital projects).
Develop strong positive relationships at senior levels with key stakeholders, both internally and externally.
Ensure that the work of each of the board's committees is reported to and considered at Board meetings.
Ensure the board fulfils its duties to maintain the sound financial health and future sustainability of the organisation, satisfying itself that systems are in place to take advantage of opportunities and manage and mitigate risks.

Organisational efficiency and effectiveness

Chair meetings of the board effectively and efficiently to stimulate positive and supportive well rounded discussion to enable considered decision making undertaken in the best, long term, interests of the group and its staff and pupils.
In cooperation with the Chief Executive and owners, ensure that Board meetings are timely and well planned with the agreed agenda and relevant information circulated ahead in good time with appropriate records to ensure compliance.
Ensure decisions are implemented and Board members take ownership of and drive forward their actions outside of meetings.

Governance

Ensure that governors fulfil their duties and responsibilities for the effective governance of the organisation.
Ensure that the board operates within its charitable objectives and, with the support of the Heads, meets all the reporting and other requirements of the inspectorate.
Lead on the appraisal of the performance of the governors and heads on a regular basis, ensuring that they all understand their role.
Ensure that the schools' governance documents are reviewed and updated regularly. Ensure that the board is refreshed when needed and incorporates the right balance of skills, knowledge and experience needed to lead and govern the organisation effectively.

Relationship with the Heads

Establish and build a strong, supportive and constructive working relationship with the Heads and leadership teams, ensuring they are held to account whilst supporting them to achieve agreed strategic objectives.
Ensure regular contact with the Heads and