Appointment of Trustees

November 2019

Achievement CONTENTS

Excellence

1. Introduction 2. The role Enjoyment 3. Person specification 4. Terms of appointment Imagination 5. How to apply Community

Friendship Leadership Energy

INTRODUCTION

The Francis Holland Schools Trust is an educational charity which manages two independent day schools for girls in London.

Established 141 years ago by Canon Francis Holland, chaplain to Queen Victoria and King Edward VII, Francis Holland comprises two independent day schools for girls located in Central London, all under the governance of the Francis Holland Schools Trust.

Each school operates under the Francis Holland name, with one senior school (ages 11-18) located by Regent’s Park and a second senior school at Sloane Square (ages 11-18), as well as an incorporated junior school (ages 4-11), located by Sloane Square.

Francis Holland has always believed that the development of creative ability, a sense of social responsibility and a resilient and enterprising character will enhance academic potential and best equip its students to make a major contribution in adult life.

Francis Holland has a current pupil roll of just over 1000 pupils across the schools, with a teaching staff complement of 130 full-time equivalent staff.

In their most recent inspections, by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI), both Sloane Square and Regent’s Park’s educational quality was judged as Excellent, the highest award possible. Pupils were also international winners of the 2018 NASA space competition, successfully produced a musical on a leading West End stage, and were finalists in the 2019 BBC Young Choir of the Year.

VISION AND ETHOS

“A love of learning and a confident character”

The Vision of the Francis Holland Schools’ Trust is:

 To enable the schools for which it is responsible to flourish, delivering excellent educational outcomes for pupils within a friendly, inclusive and supportive environment based on the ethos and values of the Trust’s Christian founder;

 To enable pupils to play a central role in leading and transforming the societies in which they live and prepare them with learning for life, including the knowledge and skills they will need in a world of work subject to constantly evolving technological change;

 To develop amongst its pupils the ability to communicate with confidence, think critically and creatively in solving problems, develop an aptitude for innovation, an enterprising character, intellectual curiosity, and a spirit of internationalism.

Francis Holland’s core vision is to develop the pupils in its care to become resilient, fulfilled adults, who will make a positive difference in a fast-changing inter-connected world. The Trust encourages pupils to nurture high aspirations in all their activities and to develop the confidence and ability to achieve their goals. This starts with a love of learning and an ambition for academic excellence, but recognises that all achievement, whether intellectual, physical, creative or social, is the product of character as well as natural ability.

The Trust’s academic results reflect the quality of teaching. This is enhanced by the unique depth of relationship between staff and pupils and the emphasis placed on helping pupils to develop the life skills that will enable them to make the most of their abilities. The most important of these life skills are: confidence (a willingness to try, without fear of failure), curiosity (a lifelong love of learning) and creativity (an ability to think laterally and express imaginatively).

Life skills and natural ability require a foundation of strong values. Francis Holland’s ethos is based on the timeless Christian values of love (a heart for service), joy (an infectious enthusiasm for life) and peace (a deep inner strength and harmony). The Trust aims to see these values embedded within the Francis Holland community.

Finally, Francis Holland’s goal is to facilitate the best opportunities for pupils as they leave school. The Trust helps pupils to develop the key work skills they will need for success in the workplace. The most important of these are: critical thinking (essential for effective decision-making), collaboration (essential for teamwork) and communication (essential for leadership).

Above all, Francis Holland believes in the value of each child as an individual and that each has their own gifts and strengths and can be a force for good in the world.

denominations and faiths visit the schools regularly to lead assembly.

Francis Holland, Regent’s Park has recently (February 2014) had a very successful integrated ISI inspection; Francis Holland, Sloane Square had a very successful interim ISI inspection in May 2011.

FRANCIS HOLLAND SCHOOL, REGENT’S PARK

Francis Holland School, Regent's Park is an academic day school for girls aged 11 to 18. The School is characterised by a warm and friendly atmosphere in which pupils feel happy, but nonetheless challenged, and are able to achieve the highest standards in all that they undertake. Pupils are encouraged to take responsibility, to think for themselves and to contribute to the community.

Francis Holland School, Regent's Park, was founded in 1878 by the Francis Holland, and was opened in Baker Street where it remained until 1915. The School was then transferred to its new purpose-built site near Clarence Gate. Since that time there has been a continuing programme of modernisation and development in order to ensure that the facilities of the school are in keeping with the rapidly changing needs of modern education.

Today, the School provides a lively, upbeat and busy environment for over 500 pupils. Regent’s Park strives to be a kind school, where pupils can thrive in a caring and nurturing environment. This level of care also extends to the pupils’ own activities. All sixth-formers carry out voluntary work, whilst other charitable activities are fantastically popular.

In 2019, 53% of A-Level grades were A*/A and 83% of GCSEs were 9-7s. The School takes great pride in the value that it adds; this centres on small classes and immensely hard-working and committed teachers. Regent’s Park is proud to be culturally diverse and celebrates this diversity as a reason for its academic success.

The School is adjacent to Regent's Park and makes full use of the extensive outdoor recreational facilities available there. The School is proud of its varied sporting achievements and facilities include a swimming pool, fitness suite and gymnasium. The School is also intensely musical, and recent music tours include trips to Russia and the USA. There is close liaison with St Cyprian's Church opposite the school, and services and concerts are regularly held in this fine Ninian Comper building.

FRANCIS HOLLAND SCHOOL, SLOANE SQUARE – SENIOR SCHOOL

Francis Holland School, Sloane Square aims to provide an inspiring education in a community which empowers girls to be the leaders, thinkers, inventors, designers, entrepreneurs and game- changers of tomorrow.

Founded in 1881 by Francis Holland, Canon of Canterbury Cathedral and Chaplain to Queen Victoria and Edward VII, the school was the brainchild of his wife, Sibylla Holland (nee Lyall). Today, with just over 500 pupils, the School fosters: a love of learning and enquiry; the curiosity to discover and uncover; a sense of fun and creativity; the ability to innovate and collaborate; skills of research and craftsmanship; an understanding of diversity and difference; the desire to serve and support others; the courage to strive, to fail, to persevere and to succeed.

In 2019, 48% of A-Levels were A*/A, and 75% A*-B, 89% of GCSEs were 9-7. Value added is excellent, and the Schools seeks to provide a sense of fun in learning. The School is committed to entrepreneurship, and this is compulsory within the sixth-form. Most sports are played in Battersea Park, and pupils have enjoyed numerous international sports tours. The school has a close relationship with Place2Be, the leading national children’s mental health charity.

The School’s values are in keeping with its Christian foundation, and value love, humility, compassion, courage, hope and thankfulness. Sloane Square is proud to provide an inspirational learning environment, with an emphasis on creativity and collaboration, in order to prepare pupils for the future.

FRANCIS HOLLAND SCHOOL – SLOANE SQUARE, JUNIOR SCHOOL

Francis Holland Junior School provides an extremely happy, warm and lively environment, in which each individual grows, gains self-worth, is confident and has a great enthusiasm for learning.

A close relationship between parents, teachers and girls is fostered at all times. Parents know that there is ‘an open door policy' and they are kept well informed at all stages of their daughter's development.

The 2017 Independent Schools Inspectorate report noted that: 'Girls show very good levels of knowledge, understanding and skills across the curriculum'

Above all, the Junior School fosters the care and awareness of the needs of others, not only in the school community but in the wider world. This too was noted by the ISI: 'the quality of the pupils' personal development is excellent.'

The Junior School has a record of excellent results at 11+. Juniors have the added advantage of being taught by specialist teachers from the Senior School and they benefit from the dedicated ICT and Science facilities. Girls have Science lessons in a dedicated Junior School Science laboratory, which allows plenty of opportunity for practical experiments. Computing, digital literacy and information technology is taught in the Senior School Computing suite, which is exceptionally well equipped.

Specialist PE staff encourage the girls to participate in a wide variety of sports and games; many girls become members of school teams and enjoy participating in tournaments and sporting fixtures.

The girls' education is complemented by a full and varied range of visits both to local museums, galleries and historical sites, and further afield. Year 6, for example enjoy visits to a Royal Ballet rehearsal class, the Royal Opera House, the National Gallery and the Imperial War Museum and the Sky TV studios. Juniors also have the benefit of visiting workshops, including The Young Shakespeare Company, and speakers, including authors and musicians.

THE ROLE OF CHAIR

This is an exciting time to join the Governing Council at Francis Holland and participate in shaping the Trust’s future direction and strategy with inspirational guidance and advice. The Chair will spend considerable time across both Schools, acting as a critical friend and support to both Heads.

The Trust is looking for those who believe in its values and want to play a part in developing its priorities including widening the Trust’s horizons and partnering with the local community, whilst always maintaining the highest academic standards, support and opportunities for its pupils.

The Chair’s role is to provide leadership to the Council and the Trust to ensure that the Governors fulfil their duties and responsibilities for the proper governance of the Trust.

Collectively with other members of the Governing Council, the Chair of the Francis Holland Schools Trust will be expected to assume the following responsibilities:

Delegated Chair Responsibilities

The Chair shall lead the Council in its responsibilities to:

• Secure the long-term future of the Trust.

• Ensure the highest possible standards of governance.

• Ensure the proper and efficient conduct of Governor meetings.

• Support, and where appropriate, challenge the Heads on behalf of and as agreed by the full Council.

Governance Responsibilities

• Hold overall responsibility for guiding the governance of the Trust and the schools ensuring Governors are proficient and trained to carry out their duties and responsibility for regulatory compliance.

• Run the Governing Council, including chairing the meetings of the full Council.

• Ensure that appropriate rules are drawn up for the operation and work of the Governing Council and for delegation to committees.

• Be available to chair Council meetings, to attend some school events and to give appropriate support and advice in case of difficulty.

• Be a member ex officio of all committees of the Council and attend those meetings as necessary and practicable.

• Liaise closely with the Deputy Chair of Council and Committee Chairs, especially the Chair of the Finance Committee.

• Oversee the appeal process for dealing with grievances, disciplinary issues and parental complaints.

• Be prepared to speak at Prize/Speech Day and other public events.

Viability Responsibilities

The Chair shall ensure that:

• The Council sets the mission, vision, strategy and high-level (i.e. Council) policies for the Trust within the powers and restrictions of the Trust’s Articles.

• The Council takes steps to monitor the Trust’s performance and risks and that the Trust satisfies all regulatory and legal compliance requirements.

• The Trust has satisfactory internal systems and controls for all financial and non-financial matters, which are audited and reviewed regularly.

• The key relationship of the Chairman, Heads and Chief Operating Officer works effectively.

Heads & Senior Managers

The Chair shall support the Heads by:

• Ensuring that the Council focuses on its governance role and does not slip incrementally, or otherwise, into a management role.

• Ensuring the Heads are appropriately performance appraised, have the opportunity for professional development and have access to appropriate external professional support.

• Arranging regular, but not over frequent, meetings with the Heads and developing a professional relationship within which each can speak openly about concerns and challenges.

• Monitoring their performance; always remembering that the Heads are responsible to the Council as a whole and not to any one individual Governor or sub-group of Governors.

• Agreeing respective roles to represent the Trust and act as spokesperson.

The Chairman shall hold the Heads accountable by:

• Challenging the Heads constructively, only in the best interests of the Trust and as a ‘critical friend’ as agreed by the full Council.

• Ensuring that the Heads understand the key performance indicators by which they will be held accountable.

• Ensuring that there are appropriate mechanisms, both internal and external, to verify that the Council receives a balanced and honest picture of the Trust‘s performance.

The Required Commitment

The length of tenure of the position of Chair is six years.

Taking on the role of Chair of Governors of any school is a significant responsibility which incurs certain legal responsibilities and, at certain periods (such as when a new Head is appointed or a particularly difficult issue arises), may require a great deal of time.

However, it is also a hugely rewarding role which can contribute greatly to the success of the school and the wellbeing and happiness of those who work and study there.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

The role of Chair requires certain skills and qualities, more than it requires experience in any particular sector of employment.

However, it will be essential for the Chair to possess:

• A commitment to education, an ability to articulate the values of all-girls’ education specifically and a belief in the merit of independent schools generally.

• A passion for Francis Holland Schools Trust, and the time to commit to this role.

• Commercial acumen and experience.

• Experience of a wide range of management disciplines, which could include one or more of the following: strategic planning, legal and HR issues, marketing, coaching or mentoring, financial planning.

• An ability to work with volunteers and to strike the right balance between providing direction and seeking consensus.

• Excellent communication skills, and the ability to create a collaborative approach.

• Strong leadership and chairing experience, with some experience of chairing committees.

• An awareness as to the political and economic pressures currently facing the education sector.

• A calm, balanced, fair-minded persona, excellent judgment and unquestionable integrity and probity.

• Attention to detail, very good communication skills and excellent inter-personal skills.

• Has experience and an understanding of strategy development.

• Is willing to speak up and can remain independent of any influence from another organisation or individual.

• Is aware of developments in the education and charity sectors and areas of interest to the School.

• Can evaluate risks with a balanced and informed approach.

• Is committed to the Nolan principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.

Francis Holland celebrates diversity in all senses and welcomes applications from candidates of all backgrounds.

TERMS OF APPOINTMENT

• Board meetings take place three times per year, lasting up to three hours. The Chair will also be expected to attend committee meetings.

• The Chair is encouraged to become as involved in the life of the Trust as possible, attending events including plays and concerts.

• The role is unpaid, however reasonable expenses are paid in line with the School’s expenses policy.

• The Chair serves a term of three years which, under normal circumstances, can be renewed for a further three years. Training and induction is provided to all Governors and is tailored depending upon their background and experience.

• Francis Holland Schools Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers for paid or voluntary roles are subject to an enhanced DBS check.

HOW TO APPLY

Saxton Bampfylde Ltd is acting as an employment agency advisor to Francis Holland Schools Trust on this appointment.

Candidates should apply for this role through our website at www.saxbam.com/appointments using code GAHAHA.

Click on the ‘apply’ button and follow the instructions to upload a CV and cover letter, and complete the online equal opportunities monitoring* form.

The closing date for applications is noon on 23 January 2020.

Initial interviews with Saxton Bampfylde will be held between 3 to 21 February. First round visits to Francis Holland will be on 10 March, and final interviews on 18 March. Do make us aware if these dates might be problematic.

* The equal opportunities monitoring online form will not be shared with anyone involved in assessing your application. Please complete as part of the application process.

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