Director of Finance and Resources – May 2020

The Brooksbank School Sports College

Candidate Information Pack Director of Finances and Resources

Director of Finance and Resources – May 2020

May 2020 Dear Colleague Thank you for your interest in the post of Director of Finance and Resources at The Brooksbank School. Please find included within the information pack details about the school and role. Information regarding the school’s funding agreement with the Education Funding Agency can be found on the school’s website. This is a key senior leadership role within our school and we are looking for a first class professional with a proven track record and the ability to lead a large team to secure outstanding outcomes for our students. If you feel that you have the skills and expertise we are looking for, we look forward to hearing from you. Please complete our application form in full and submit a letter of no more than two sides of A4 outlining what you could bring to the post and the school. The closing date for applications is 12 noon on Monday, 25th May and interviews will be held week commencing 1st June. Completed application forms should be returned to: jdonlon@bbs.calderdale.sch.uk Yours sincerely

Kevin McCallion Headteacher

Director of Finance and Resources – May 2020

The Advert The Brooksbank School Sports College Victoria Road Elland West Yorkshire HX5 0QG

Headteacher : Kevin McCallion Tel: 01422 374791 Email: jdonlon@bbs.calderdale.sch.uk 11-18 Mixed Comprehensive N.O.R. 1800+

DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND RESOURCES (Leadership Scale 11-17)

Due to the retirement of the existing post holder we have an exciting opportunity for an outstanding and experienced individual to lead and develop the business management of our large, successful Academy. S/he will report directly to the Headteacher.

Candidates should have direct experience of strategic financial planning and be capable of managing colleagues working in the areas of finance, premises management, catering, information technology, human resources and administration. The ability to lead and develop effective teams and manage projects is essential. The successful candidate will have a proven record of operating at senior leadership level in a large complex organisation demonstrating qualities including resilience, hard work and a clear eye for detail.

This is an excellent opportunity for a forward-thinking person who can work closely with other team members in an ever-changing environment that seeks to provide young people with an outstanding education. The post holder will be an integral part of the Senior Leadership Team and will be part of our drive for further improvement and success. You will be expected to network widely and we will actively support your own professional development.

Closing date is 12 noon on Monday, 25th May and interviews will be held the

week beginning 1st June.

Please note: Only first person or direct applications from candidates will be considered on the school application form. Third party applications/introductions or recommendations will not be accepted by the school.

Director of Finance and Resources – May 2020

School and Local Information The Brooksbank School is the largest comprehensive secondary school in Calderdale with over 1800 students currently on roll including 300 in the Sixth Form. The school is popular with parents and is heavily oversubscribed Elland is situated in Calderdale and neighboured by the towns of Halifax and Huddersfield. It is conveniently placed for access to the M62 and lies within 15 miles of Leeds and 20 miles of Manchester. Some of the most attractive countryside in Britain – the Yorkshire Dales – is but a short distance way, whilst the Lakes, Peak District and North Yorkshire Moors are also easily accessible. We became an Academy in October 2011 having previously been a grant maintained and then foundation school. The Academy Trust owns the site and buildings and employs the staff. The school employs over 110 teaching staff and a further 70 support staff to enable the successful delivery of a comprehensive and differentiated curriculum to ensure that all our students aspire and achieve. Departments are well resourced for running expenses with a further opportunity to bid for extra funds for special projects. Every classroom has access to an interactive whiteboard and there are over 1,600 PCs/laptops across the campus. Alongside a hard-wired network that covers the whole site. All areas have access to the school Wi-Fi. We have a large campus with sufficient specialist accommodation to teach all subjects in their own dedicated areas. Recently we have added a new post-16 art facility as well as investing in dining and student social areas. In addition we have excellent sports facilities including a four-court sports hall, fitness suite, two gyms, a dance studio and MUGA as well as a number of football and rugby pitches. A new sports park has recently been developed which includes a closed track for cycle training and youth racing and we are currently constructing a 3G (artificial grass) football and rugby pitch. Our campus is used outside school hours by many community groups throughout the year. School staff have free access to the fitness suite before and after school. Further information about the school including main school and Sixth Form prospectus may be found on the school website at www.bbs.calderdale.sch.uk

Director of Finance and Resources – May 2020

Background Information The Brooksbank School is a large 11-18 comprehensive Academy in Elland, near Halifax within the Metropolitan Borough of Calderdale. The school converted to Academy status in October 2011. We are regularly oversubscribed and with an excellent reputation within our local and wider community. Brooksbank is an inspirational place to work within a culture which encourages every student and member of staff to “aspire and achieve”. All areas of school improvement have been focussed on providing a personalised experience which allows every student to fulfil their potential. Examination results at both Key Stages 4 and 5 are improving and are generally in line with national averages. As the impact of curriculum changes and improved teaching are embedded this trend is set to continue. We have been a specialist Sports College since 2003 and this has had a major impact upon our ethos and our results as well as on our partner schools and local community. As well as an extensive out-of-hours programme for our students, our extensive facilities are made available to the community during the evenings, weekend and school holidays and, from this summer onwards, will own a 3G (artificial grass) football and rugby pitch. Leadership The Governing Body of the Academy comprises of a mixture of experienced and enthusiastic people who are committed to ensuring the continuing success of the school. They understand their function and make a positive contribution to the strategic direction. Senior leadership in the Academy is strong with an experienced, supportive and committed team. We now have an outstanding opportunity for someone to join the Senior Leadership Team in the key role of Director of Finance and Resources. The post will become vacant in September on the retirement of Mark Horner who joined the school in February 2014. As this is a key role in the school the successful candidate will benefit from a planned handover period from Mark as we are retaining his services on a zero-hours advisory basis to facilitate the transfer of responsibilities. Leading on finance is the key element of the role and the person appointed will need to have a strong track record in this area to enable them to meet the responsibilities of being the school’s Principal Finance Officer as defined in the Academies Financial Handbook. You will need to ensure that the deployment of our resources offers best value and is aligned to our educational plans and the development of facilities and services for students and the community. We have worked hard to improve our facilities and the Director of Finance and Resources plays a pivotal role in this including preparing bids for capital funding, income generation and the management of projects.

Director of Finance and Resources – May 2020

The Director of Finance and Resources will line manage colleagues who manage teams providing support for finance, administration, ICT support, facilities management and catering. The ability to successfully lead, manage and develop your teams of staff will be essential. Services such as catering and cleaning are performed in-house and we also have good support procured through the Local Authority for payroll and human resources administration and advice. There are significant changes taking place in the world of education with many schools converting to academy status and growing partnership work between schools including the development of multi-academy trusts and federations. We currently operate as a single school academy trust working collaboratively with other schools and partner organisations, particularly The Valley Learning Partnership within which The Brooksbank School is a founding member along with Brighouse High School. The Director of Finance & Resources will provide school business management capacity for The Valley Learning Partnership and be the partnership’s Chief Financial Officer. We are genuinely open minded about the background of potential applicants for this role. Whilst we recognise there may well be applicants from schools seeking career development we will equally welcome those from other areas of work with skills and experiences relevant to the role. Regardless of the background, the ability to lead and develop the finance and business management functions to support the development of our students will be paramount. We place great importance on the development of our staff and would commit to providing you with effective support and guidance for both your induction and on-going professional development. In return, we will expect the hard work and commitment necessary to help us bring out the best in every one of our students. This is a terrific opportunity for an aspiring senior leader, to work in an energetic, forward looking environment as part of an inspirational team of professionals.

Director of Finance and Resources – May 2020

Job Description

Contract

Full time throughout the year, permanent. Annual leave entitlement 25 holiday days plus 14 statutory / locally agreed bank holidays. Eligible to join the West Yorkshire Pension Fund It is anticipated that there will be a higher demand for work during school term time with an on-going need for work in school holidays. There will also be a requirement to attend events such as training and meetings that take place outside the normal school day. A flexible approach is required to accommodate the demands of the post. Annual leave arrangements to be agreed with the Headteacher, to meet the needs of the business

Reporting to The Headteacher

Responsible for

Staff within the Business Management team. The following roles report directly to the Director of Finance and Resources:

Finance & Administration Manager

Premises Manager

Catering Manager

Sports Hall & Lettings Manager

Network Manager

Head’s Personal Assistant

Principal Midday Supervisor (though I think this responsibility should change to the SLT Lead for Pastoral)

Job Purpose

As a member of the Senior Leadership Team to provide advice and guidance to the Headteacher and Governors on strategic financial planning and other aspects of business management to support the development of the students. To be responsible for ensuring that the business management function operates in accordance with statutory regulations and that high levels of customer service are provided.

Corporate

As a member of the Senior Leadership Team:

Take a full and active part in the leadership, operation and development of the school

Director of Finance and Resources – May 2020

Contribute to system leadership through purposeful collaboration with partner schools and other organisations

Strategic

Provide the leadership and management of the Business Management of the School including:.

Ensuring that the business management functions operate in accordance with statutory regulations

Interpretation of new legislation and identification of the implications for the School

Ensure the effectiveness of the team to maximise the positive impact on teaching and learning, safeguarding of children and extended services provision

Ensuring effective procedures for the recruitment, appointment, induction, review and development of staff in the team.

Develop and implement procedures to evaluate the effectiveness of the team and feed directly into improvement planning

Establish standard operating procedures and other processes to maximise the efficiency of the team and provide for service continuity in the event of staff absence.

Develop an on-going customer service focus

Develop and share good practice in the Business Management Team, across the school and into partnerships with other schools and relevant bodies

Securing arrangements to source external advice where appropriate

To lead the development of income generation within the ethos of the school through developing capital bids, seeking grants and developing trading services as appropriate

To provide school business management capacity for The Valley Learning Partnership and to be its Chief Financial Officer

Finance

Provide the leadership and management of Finance including:

Undertaking the role of Principal Finance Officer as defined in the Academies Financial Handbook to ensure that finances are managed effectively and in compliance with all relevant financial regulations. This includes official and private funds.

To be responsible for the preparation and setting of annual and long-term budgets including revised estimates, volume standstill, savings and growth and the identification of future changes in funding levels and expenditure needs.

To be responsible for the monitoring of the budget for the current financial year including reporting to senior leadership and Governors

To establish appropriate arrangements for the financial planning and monitoring of any traded activities.

To prepare business case assessments and advise on the suitability and viability of project and initiatives.

Preparation of year end accounts

Liaison with external auditors and establishment of appropriate internal audit processes

Provide advice to budget holders, staff and Governors relating to the efficient management of resources.

Director of Finance and Resources – May 2020

Ensure effective arrangements for the provision of a payroll system for school staff including returns to Inland Revenue and other bodies.

Secure appropriate arrangements for the effective administration of pension schemes for teaching and support staff

Ensure that procurement arrangements represent best value and meet relevant tendering procedures.

Ensure proper accounting records are kept and control exercised over accounting arrangements.

Human Resources

To secure appropriate arrangements to enable the school to perform Human Resources functions effectively and in accordance with statutory regulations and guidance including

Advise the Headteacher, other staff and the Governing Body on Human Resources issues

Arrangements for an effective case work service relating to individual staff including attendance management, capability, grievance and disciplinary procedures

Ensure that appropriate arrangements are in place to secure effective induction of new staff

Secure arrangements to source external advice where appropriate

General

To ensure that there are appropriate arrangements to manage and reduce risk including:

Securing appropriate insurance for the School’s assets and activities

Development and maintenance of risk registers and business continuity plans

Governance To secure effective administrative and clerking support for the Governing Body, Committees and working groups.

Facilities Management

To ensure that the estates function is managed effectively and in accordance with the operational needs of the school and any regulatory requirements including:

The maintenance and development of the site and buildings to meet the needs of users and ensure that there is a safe environment

Production and maintenance of site maintenance and development plans

Maintaining high standards of security of the site and contents

Arrangements are in place for the maintenance, servicing, testing and inspection of site equipment, fixtures and school vehicles

Arrangements are in place to deal with emergency repairs or call outs

Purchasing arrangements represent best value and that contracts are secured in accordance with financial guidelines and regulations

Developing and promoting energy efficiency measures

Director of Finance and Resources – May 2020

The operation and development of catering, cleaning and grounds maintenance services either through outsourcing or in house operation

Arrangements are in place for the site to remain operational during inclement weather

The work of the estates team and contractors meets the requirements of health and safety and other regulations

Systems for telecommunications, porterage, laundry and waste disposal

Maintaining licences as necessary

Secure arrangements to source external advice where appropriate

Health & Safety

To ensure that appropriate arrangements are made to:

Maintain and develop the Health and Safety Policy

Provide advice and guidance to other staff to assist them with the discharge of their responsibilities

Develop and implement an internal audit process

Ensure effective procedures are is in place for reporting of accidents and near misses

Ensure adequate levels of qualified First Aid staff are available as necessary

Ensure H & S is being discharged correctly across all extended service provisions

Provide for the control and co-ordination of emergency evacuation procedures

Community Use

To promote and develop the community use of the site including:

Establishing, monitoring and developing procedures for community access without negatively impacting on the day to day operation of the School

Ensuring that community use of the site is in accordance with health and safety and other regulatory requirements including co-ordination of risk assessment procedures

Ensuring appropriate budget monitoring arrangements for the community programme

Additional Duties

As a member of staff working in a school setting to have a duty to help keep young people safe and to protect them from sexual, physical and emotional harm and to take reasonable steps to ensure the safety and well-being of students. To ensure awareness of and compliance with personal responsibilities and requirements communicated to me in School policies and procedures including Health & Safety As a member of staff in a School that works in partnership with other organisations, to contribute to the development and sharing of good practice into partnerships with other schools and relevant bodies. This may include undertaking duties and work in other schools and at other locations.

Director of Finance and Resources – May 2020

As a member of staff in a school setting you will have the opportunity to participate in programmes for mentoring students and to participate in extra-curricular activities To carry out such other duties which may be required from time to time within the grading of the post

Brooksbank School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be subject to checking through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)

Personal Specification

Essential Desirable

QUALIFICATIONS

Recognised degree OR Professional qualification in a field relating to School Business Management / Business Administration

√

Financial qualifications eg ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA √

EXPERIENCE/KNOWLEDGE

Experience of leading the strategic financial planning for a large organisation/service unit.

√

Evidence of successful management and leadership of teams √

Experience/knowledge to secure arrangements for the effective Facilities Management and Human Resources provision at the school

√

Policy formulation, evaluation and review √

Track record of successful project management √

Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills

√

Competent user of ICT √

Experience of working with a range of external and internal partners

√

Understanding of school context √

Experience of working in a school √

OTHER

Supportive of the ethos and values of the school √

Self-motivated and organised √

Evidence of a commitment to your own professional development

√

Energy, enthusiasm, and flexibility √

Entrepreneurial √

Good health & attendance record √

Sense of humour √

Ability to work under pressure √

Willingness to take a full role in the life of the school √

Director of Finance and Resources – May 2020