Trustees

The Term of Office for a Folio Trustee is four years. As and when these come to an end the Trust looks to co-opt additional Trustees who can support and challenge the work of the Chief Executive Officer and our schools. Periodically the Trust Board will review Trustee skill gaps to ensure the Trust Board remains future focused.

It is a combination of both Trustees coming to the end of their Terms of Office and the need to diversify which means we are looking for new Trustees. Governance is very much a team sport and it is important we have a range of individuals from diverse backgrounds making sure we are greater than the sum of our parts.

We are currently looking for the following:

Lead Trustee for Financial Management, Audit & Risk

A new Trustee to support and challenge the way the Trust increases financial resilience using school resources and public money efficiently for the benefit of all children.

We are looking for candidates with board experience in the financial sector and those who are able to understand the importance of audit and risk.

Key Question: Does Folio Education Trust have financial resilience and is public money well spent?

Indicative Meeting Schedule:

The majority of meetings are held on a Wednesday evening from 6.00pm and often last for 2 hours. There are three Trust Board meetings during the academic year, up to two strategic meetings which may well be held on a Saturday morning and a range of committee meetings which are listed below.

TB                   Trust Board (x3 meetings)

TB (strategy)   Trust Board (x2 meetings)

FMARC           Financial Management, Audit and Risk Committee (x6 meetings)

EC                   Education Committee (x3 meetings)

PC                   People Committee (x3 meetings)

REMCO          Remuneration Committee (x1 meeting)

A typical example of time investment required would be approximately 60 hours annually, broken down as follows:

3 Trust Board Meetings per year – 6 hours plus 6 hours of reading and planning time (12.0 hours)

2 Trust Board Strategy Mornings – 6 hours plus 6 hours of reading and planning time (12.0 hours)

3 sub-committee meetings per year – 6 hours plus 6 hours of reading and planning time (12.0 hours)

2 Trustee visits per academic year to a Trust school – 2 x4 hours (8.0 hours)

3 Governance training sessions – 3 x2 hours (6.0 hours)

2 Hearings or Recruitment Panels – 6 hours plus 4 hours of reading and planning time (10.0 hours)

Trustee Expectations:

Attendance:

In addition to the Nolan Principles (see Person Specification) all Trustees must be aware that they are expected to fully commit to attending all Trust Meetings and the annual Trust Governance Day, arrange Trustee Visits to schools, build relationships with those responsible for their lead area at local school level.

Critical Friend:

When in meetings or during visits Trustees must be fully present and must fully engage in evaluating school life through support and challenge. They should refrain from criticising operational procedures unless they can be linked to the strategic vision of the Trust. The model of a ‘critical friend’ is the best way to describe the relationship between a Trust and the schools within the Trust.

Record of Targeted Challenge:

When a Trustee visits a school they must complete a report which records the key questions of challenge that they ask and ensures that senior staff are able to offer precise evidence based responses. This report will be sent to the Headteacher and the CEO when completed and will then be circulated to the specific committee for further discussion.  A record of the visit and any points of interest, emerging risks and mitigating actions should be recorded in the minutes of the meeting. 

Reviewing Policy:

Some policy, not delegated to Folio Schools, needs to be reviewed by Trustees so that the model of governance can be more efficient. There will be an annual cycle of policy review set by the Trust which needs to be followed by each school. Evaluating and writing policy will engage the appropriate Lead Trustee to ensure policy is accurate and fit for purpose.

Panels and Hearings:

At times Trustees will be invited to be part of a recruitment panel or a hearing linked to employment matters (disciplinary/grievance) or a complaint. There may also be the need for a Trustee to support a school that is permanently excluding a child as part of a PEX hearing.

Outcomes:

Folio Education Trustees will work collaboratively with executive and school leaders across many different areas of evaluation and development to ensure the best possible learning experiences for all children with a specific focus upon those children who are more vulnerable.

All Trustees will be aligned with our Mission, Vision and Guiding Principles.

All Folio Schools will work towards being judged by Ofsted as ‘outstanding’.

All children will reach the expected standard of academic progress.

Person Specification - Trustee:

• Bring diverse character to the Trust Board linked to both protected characteristics and socio-economic and regional variations. The ability to work as part of a team and willingness to take collective responsibility for the governance of our organisation.  The ability to work at a strategic level whilst understanding the detail and complexities of operational delivery. Outstanding communication skills and the ability to influence and bring others along with plans. Extensive networks and a willingness to draw on contacts as appropriate. The highest standard of professional and personal integrity and a willingness to act in accordance with the Nolan Principles at all times.  A profound resonance with the Mission and Vision of Folio Education Trust.

This is the Undertaking attached to our Code of Conduct that all Trustees and Local Governing Body members are asked to sign on an annual basis:

As a member of the Trust Board/Local Governing Body I will always have the well-being of staff and pupils and the reputation of schools and the Trust at heart; I will do all I can to be an ambassador for the schools and the Trust, publicly supporting its aims, values and ethos; I will never say or do anything publicly that would embarrass the schools or the Trust, the Local Governing Body, the Senior Staff or other staff. I will follow Nolan’s ‘Seven Principles of Public Life’ - (Selflessness, Integrity, Objectivity, Accountability, Openness, Honesty, Leadership).

Trustee Characteristics:

It is essential that any volunteer who wishes to support and challenge a school within Folio Education Trust models the expected characteristics of outstanding governance. These are outlined through the seven Principles of Public Life otherwise known as the ‘Nolan Principles’.

1. Selflessness

Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest.

2. Integrity

Holders of public office must avoid placing themselves under any obligation to people or organisations that might try inappropriately to influence them in their work. They should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends. They must declare and resolve any interests and relationships.

3. Objectivity

Holders of public office must act and take decisions impartially, fairly and on merit, using the best evidence and without discrimination or bias.

4. Accountability

Holders of public office are accountable to the public for their decisions and actions and must submit themselves to the scrutiny necessary to ensure this.

5. Openness

Holders of public office should act and take decisions in an open and transparent manner. Information should not be withheld from the public unless there are clear and lawful reasons for so doing.

6. Honesty

Holders of public office should be truthful.

7. Leadership

Holders of public office should exhibit these principles in their own behaviour. They should actively promote and robustly support the principles and be willing to challenge poor behaviour wherever it occurs.