CEO RECRUITMENT PACK INTRODUCTION WHO WE ARE Thank you for expressing an interest in the role of CEO for Activate Learning. Activate Learning is a pioneering education group with a global This role offers a fantastic opportunity for an ambitious reach. The group comprises secondary, further and higher education, strategic thinker who is looking to take the next step in apprenticeship and business training. their career. The successful candidate will build on the successes of Activate Learning and will have the drive We are at the forefront of a critical new phase in the Our partnerships with industry are establishing clear and ambition to lead the group on its road map over the delivery of applied learning. The role and value of pathways to employment for every learner, coming years. Our new Strategic Plan, entitled technical education in raising skill levels and driving co-created and co-delivered by employers. Empowering Learners is fundamental to the success of productivity is being recognised as never before. Our expertise in technical education is underpinned Activate Learning - as is our unique Learning Philosophy. Unprecedented changes in technology, the global by an understanding of the elements required for economy and education policy require an innovative effective learning - our Learning Philosophy. The philosophy provides a common set of values for our response. We are redefining the role of learning and learners across our schools, colleges and workplaces the learning professional to develop talented people Our ambitions are captured in our group with the soft and technical skills required to deliver the vision and mission: Sue Sturgeon and is based on the premise that anyone is capable of innovation our country needs. Chair of the Corporation great things, if they learn to believe in themselves. This is a fantastic opportunity to have a life changing impact on our current and future learners. Vision

WHERE WE ARE NOW TO ACHIEVE FAR-REACHING, PROGRESSIVE CHANGE AND I am delighted you are considering applying for the role I am retiring from. It has been an honour and privilege being the leader of this amazing organisation. IMPACT THROUGH LEARNING”

It is an exciting time to join the group as we start a brand-new strategic plan where there are still many exciting things to be achieved but in an organisation with a very supportive, caring Board of Governors, amazingly talented group of staff Mission and leaders, plenty of great students and financially stable.

Our structure is unlike a traditional college, and as we knew it was important to listen, respond and influence our employers we decided that we needed commercially focused teams as well as groups who understand and are steeped in learning, neuroscience and building effective learning relationships. PROVIDING TALENT FOR BUSINESS,

Our student body is very varied from 11 year olds to our oldest student at 84 years of age. We work in areas of huge TRANSFORMING LIVES THROUGH disparity where there is immense affluence and extreme poverty. Our student body has this full range of learners, and we are ethnically mixed and have a higher % of non-white students than our local communities. OUR LEARNING PHILOSOPHY”

Our students are a delight and although many have declared some barriers to learning, are well behaved, respectful and really want to achieve in their chosen pathways. As we enter the next phase of our journey we are building on strong foundations to Sally Dicketts CBE deliver an unparalleled learning experience designed to meet learner and industry needs. CEO OUR OFFERINGS

Activate Activate Activate Activate ActivateGroup Learning International Learning Apprenticeships Learning CommunitiesServices Colleges Education Trust Online

TheOxfordPartnership

Customers and China Markets Partnerships

Learning and SE Asia Student Partnerships Support

Information and India Learning Partnerships Technology

Human Resources and Organisational Development

Institutional Effectiveness (MIS)

Finance

Property and Environment

Commercial Support OUR JOURNEY TO DATE

» Academy status gained » UTC Oxfordshire » UTC Oxford and UTC » Bracknell & opens Reading join the Trust Wokingham College » Bicester campus opens » Three colleges in » UTC Swindon joins joins the group » Becomes Oxford & Cherwell Valley College Saudi Arabia open

2003 2005 2010 2013 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

» Reading College » Group becomes » Oxford & Cherwell College » Bicester Technology Studio » UTC Heathrow and » Guildford joins the group Activate Learning formed (merger of three opens Theale Green School College colleges) » Group services formed » UTC Reading Group » A fourth college in Saudi join the trust opens joins Arabia joins » Activate Enterprise Activate » Activate Enterprise becomes opens Learning Activate Apprenticeships WHY WE EXIST OUR VALUES

Activate Learning believes everyone is capable of improving lives through learning with emotional support, motivation, purpose and the right application. We provide this to everyone who studies with us across the different parts of the group. Activate Learning is proud to be a an inclusive College many of our EDI practices.

We work to ensure everyone who studies with us doesn’t just develop their knowledge and understanding of their subject areas, but also leave us feeling confident as a learner that knows how their behaviours and attributes make them highly sort after and employable.

We want to be a driver for change, and to do this we engage with different employers across multiple sectors to ensure what we deliver through our various learning programmes is what they want to see in their workplaces.

Our Learning Philosophy continues to provide our culture and the framework from which we build these work-ready learners, recognising the need to provide opportunities to develop emotional intelligence and resilience by working with employers to gain real world skills which can be put into practice through live projects and industry placements.

As people’s needs change as they advance throughout their careers pathways we will be there with them at every step of the way should they need us, helping them to maintain a life-long approach to learning. OUR LEARNING STRATEGIC DRIVERS PHILOSOPHY

Our Learning Philosophy provides a common set of values and language for learning across our schools, colleges and workplaces and helps us collaborate and achieve success for our learners, our people and the employers and communities we serve.

We believe anyone is capable of great things if they can learn to believe in themselves, our Learning Philosophy helps them to do this.

It shows how hard work, persistence, the right incentives and a supportive and safe environment, can change the way we learn and develop highly employable talent for our local communities and the employer partners we work with.

It’s built around three pillars: our brains, our emotions, and These drivers will be central to our being motivated. strategy and help to shape our plans BRAIN over the next five years.

EMOTIONS MOTIVATION THE ROLE THE PERSON

Activate Learning seeks a driven and visionary professional to lead the The successful candidate will have a deep understanding of education organisation, with the experience to deliver educational excellence plus strong business acumen. It is not necessary to have come together with the strategic knowledge and commercial acumen directly from an academic leadership pathway, but it is essential to necessary for sustainable growth whilst providing a strong and stable appreciate what excellent teaching, learning and assessment looks environment in which our learners and staff alike can flourish. This role like and have the vision and tenacity to lead Activate Learning on our will work with a committed and professional Board of Governors and lead journey of growth whilst maintaining strong student outcomes and one of the nation’s largest college groups. financial stability. Experience of leading in a complex education or business environment is critical. This is an outstanding opportunity for the new CEO to lead a very capable and highly If you are an ambitious leader with the ability to plan strategically and translate committed group of further education colleges, higher education, schools, that into effective operational practice, then this is an outstanding opportunity to UTC’s, national Apprenticeships, business and commercial activities, spanning lead the future development of Activate Learning group of colleges. Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Surrey. You must be passionate about providing talent for business and transforming lives The CEO will work closely with our Board of Governors and Group Executive Team through our Learning Philosophy and have a proven track record of working in a on the delivery of the Activate Learning strategic objectives, providing vision and complex strategic capacity as part of a senior leadership team implementing direction to the senior leaders to achieve the highest standards of performance, significant growth. ensure a culture of Inclusion, support and participative, somewhere students and staff feel it is a place where they belong. We know that learning only takes place You will be highly self-motivated with a positive and collaborative approach to when people feel secure. engage people and work across diverse communities. You will have the vision to inspire and lead change coupled with an unwavering focus on reaching The Leader will set high expectations with continuous improvement whilst supporting successful outcomes. the delivery of high-quality teaching, learning and assessment.

Our next CEO will be expected to: You will be a sophisticated communicator with strong stakeholder management skills to ensure effective working with a range of stakeholders, including the • Work with the board on the development and implementation of the future Department for Education, local authorities, and the Board of Governors. Bringing focused strategic plan and responsiveness to our stakeholders energy and vision you will have proven experience of leading significant change • Lead and direct the successful achievement of the mission, values and strategic and growth. objectives • Develop effective internal and external communications, strong and positive With an empowering style to support, develop and challenge leaders across the relationships, networking and partnerships with key stakeholders , actively group of colleges, you will drive outstanding leadership. listening and responding to needs to maintain an effective reputation for high standards and quality. • Lead, inspire and motivate the Group Executive Team, and staff to serve the needs of the wider stakeholders regionally and nationally including communities both regional and national. • Effectively manage the college’s resources in the role of Chief Accounting Officer. • Ensure the board receives performance and information updates in a timely, thorough and effective manner for effective governance. The Chief Executive Officer is responsible for the quality of all the College's educational provision and for ensuring that the strategic plan is delivered in full, impact targets are achieved, and the ongoing financial health of the college is assured. THE PERSON contd TERMS OF APPOINTMENT

The successful candidate will demonstrate clear evidence of: The appointment of the next CEO of Activate Learning will be made by the Board of Governors. • A track record of consistent achievement at CEO level (or substantial senior management experience in an organisation of comparable complexity), including It is a full-time role, offering an attractive total remuneration package managing complex budgets and resources. commensurate with the knowledge, skills and experience necessary. • Effective and strategic leadership, motivation and development of a peer group of senior leaders to achieve agreed outcomes. The geography of this role will span our college locations across Berkshire, • Building successful teams of senior staff through people management skills such as Oxfordshire and Surrey. leadership, vision, communication, motivation, constructive challenge and delegation • Significant organisational change management at both strategic and operational levels • Proactive management of and communication with volunteer, non-executive bodies such as Governing Bodies or Trustees. • Aptitude to oversee a range of non-educational responsibilities and accountabilities such as enhanced financial strategy, employment, governance and policy HOW TO APPLY development. • Ability to work and further develop effective working relationships with Activate Saxton Bampfylde Ltd is acting as an employment agency advisor to Activate Learning’s multiple partners and stakeholders to produce tangible benefits for all Learning on this appointment. parties. • Visionary leadership prepared to take radical decisions to bring about long-term, Candidates should apply for this role through our website at www.saxbam.com/ sustained improvement through innovation. appointments using code BAPAKA • Unfailing commitment to working inclusively to drive a commitment to equal opportunities across our student, staff, local businesses and parent communities, Click on the ‘apply’ button and follow the instructions to upload a CV and cover providing reassurance that by working together there are no barriers to success. letter, and complete the online equal opportunities monitoring* form. • Well-developed networks within the education, training and skills environment and/or We encourage candidates to respond directly to the person specification (outlined across Government or the wider public sector. above) in their covering letters. Senior team culture is important, and an effective CEO will invest time in developing a team The closing date for applications is noon on Wednesday 21 July 2021. that demonstrates disciplined listening, openness to feedback, and a commitment to role- modeling exemplary and inspirational behaviors.

* 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. Group members Colleges - Banbury and Bicester College - Bracknell and Wokingham College - City of Oxford College - Farnham College - Guildford College - Merrist Wood College - Reading College - The Oxford Partnership colleges (Saudi Arabia) Schools - The Bicester School - Bicester Technology Studio - Theale Green School - UTC Heathrow - UTC Oxfordshire - UTC Reading - UTC Swindon Training - Activate Apprenticeships - Activate Business School

Activate Learning

Oxpens Road Oxford OX1 1SA

01865 550 550 [email protected] activatelearning.ac.uk