Form 7 | Clifton Diocese Schools and Colleges

Catholic Multi-Academy Trust Director Skills Audit

Forename *
Surname *
Name of Multi-Academy Trust *
The following sections indicate the skills, knowledge and experience a full governing body of a Multi-Academy Trust is expected to have. Please note that no individual Director is expected to score highly in all categories. The aim is to have a balanced governing body with a variety of skills, knowledge, and experience between the Directors. Please indicate if you have skills, knowledge, or experience in the following areas:

The Catholic Character of the Trust

1. Understanding the mission of a Catholic school and Catholic education generally *
High level of experienceGood level of experienceLimited - training requiredNo knowledge/experience
2. Understanding the history of the Catholic Church’s involvement in the provision of schools in England and Wales *
High level of experienceGood level of experienceLimited - training requiredNo knowledge/experience
3. Ecclesiology: understanding the role of the Bishop and the Trust’s relationship with him *
High level of experienceGood level of experienceLimited - training requiredNo knowledge/experience
4. Understanding of the role of the Diocese *
High level of experienceGood level of experienceLimited - training requiredNo knowledge/experience
5. Understanding of catechesis and religious education *
High level of experienceGood level of experienceLimited - training requiredNo knowledge/experience
6. Understanding of the liturgical and sacramental life of Catholic schools *
High level of experienceGood level of experienceLimited - training requiredNo knowledge/experience
7. Ability to evaluate the Catholic life of Catholic schools *
High level of experienceGood level of experienceLimited - training requiredNo knowledge/experience

Strategic Leadership

1. Understanding of the vision and ethos of the Trust and its schools *
High level of experienceGood level of experienceLimited - training requiredNo knowledge/experience
2. Understanding of the role of a Director of the Trust and possessing the ability to act as an ambassador for the Trust and the schools *
High level of experienceGood level of experienceLimited - training requiredNo knowledge/experience
3. Being a Director or board member in another sector *
High level of experienceGood level of experienceLimited - training requiredNo knowledge/experience
4. Being a chair of a board or committee *
High level of experienceGood level of experienceLimited - training requiredNo knowledge/experience
5. Charity governance *
High level of experienceGood level of experienceLimited - training requiredNo knowledge/experience
6. Providing oversight for a complex organisation with multiple sites *
High level of experienceGood level of experienceLimited - training requiredNo knowledge/experience
7. Understanding of the difference between strategic and operational decisions *
High level of experienceGood level of experienceLimited - training requiredNo knowledge/experience
8. Strategy development *
High level of experienceGood level of experienceLimited - training requiredNo knowledge/experience
9. Change management *
High level of experienceGood level of experienceLimited - training requiredNo knowledge/experience
10. Awareness of national education policy (e.g., school funding, curriculum, teaching, and learning) *
High level of experienceGood level of experienceLimited - training requiredNo knowledge/experience
11. Understanding of the policies and procedures of the Trust and how they are implemented in schools in the Trust *
High level of experienceGood level of experienceLimited - training requiredNo knowledge/experience
12. Understanding of local communities around the schools within the Trust *
High level of experienceGood level of experienceLimited - training requiredNo knowledge/experience
13. Understanding of the principle of stakeholder engagement, e.g., seeking views and evaluating feedback from parents and staff to support the decision-making process *
High level of experienceGood level of experienceLimited - training requiredNo knowledge/experience
14. Understanding of the principles of risk management: how to prioritise, assess and mitigate against risks *
High level of experienceGood level of experienceLimited - training requiredNo knowledge/experience

Accountability

1. Working with leaders to establish expectations for improvement *
High level of experienceGood level of experienceLimited - training requiredNo knowledge/experience
2. Understanding of the elements that make up a broad and balanced school curriculum *
High level of experienceGood level of experienceLimited - training requiredNo knowledge/experience
3. Ability to interpret high level data and statistics relating to pupil progress and outcomes *
High level of experienceGood level of experienceLimited - training requiredNo knowledge/experience
4. Having confidence to ask questions and challenge leaders on matters relating to educational outcomes *
High level of experienceGood level of experienceLimited - training requiredNo knowledge/experience
5. Financial planning: budgeting, monitoring and compliance *
High level of experienceGood level of experienceLimited - training requiredNo knowledge/experience
6. Understanding of how the financial efficiency of schools is measured and compared to similar schools *
High level of experienceGood level of experienceLimited - training requiredNo knowledge/experience
7. Understanding of schools’ capital funding *
High level of experienceGood level of experienceLimited - training requiredNo knowledge/experience
8. How staff are recruited to schools *
High level of experienceGood level of experienceLimited - training requiredNo knowledge/experience
9. Understanding of how staff pay decisions impact school budgets *
High level of experienceGood level of experienceLimited - training requiredNo knowledge/experience
10. Preparing for and responding to inspection and oversight in a professional setting *
High level of experienceGood level of experienceLimited - training requiredNo knowledge/experience
11. Marketing, media, and PR *
High level of experienceGood level of experienceLimited - training requiredNo knowledge/experience
12. Understanding of current national education policy *
High level of experienceGood level of experienceLimited - training requiredNo knowledge/experience
13. HR, staff recruitment and training *
High level of experienceGood level of experienceLimited - training requiredNo knowledge/experience
14. Legal experience *
High level of experienceGood level of experienceLimited - training requiredNo knowledge/experience
15. Understanding of Director responsibilities in relation to safeguarding including PREVENT *
High level of experienceGood level of experienceLimited - training requiredNo knowledge/experience
16. Understanding of SEND agenda *
High level of experienceGood level of experienceLimited - training requiredNo knowledge/experience
17. Equal opportunities, equality, and diversity legislation *
High level of experienceGood level of experienceLimited - training requiredNo knowledge/experience
18. Property and estates management *
High level of experienceGood level of experienceLimited - training requiredNo knowledge/experience
19. Health and Safety legislation *
High level of experienceGood level of experienceLimited - training requiredNo knowledge/experience
20. Quality assurance *
High level of experienceGood level of experienceLimited - training requiredNo knowledge/experience
21. Project management *
High level of experienceGood level of experienceLimited - training requiredNo knowledge/experience
22. Providing challenge on delivery of plans and strategies *
High level of experienceGood level of experienceLimited - training requiredNo knowledge/experience
23. Ensuring resourcing decisions are driven by priorities *
High level of experienceGood level of experienceLimited - training requiredNo knowledge/experience
24. Reviewing impact of resources on outcomes and reviewing value for money *
High level of experienceGood level of experienceLimited - training requiredNo knowledge/experience

People

1. Ability to know when professional advice is necessary *
High level of experienceGood level of experienceLimited - training requiredNo knowledge/experience
2. Ability to know how to build the knowledge needed to be effective in role *
High level of experienceGood level of experienceLimited - training requiredNo knowledge/experience
3. Desire to resolve misunderstanding at the earliest opportunity to avoid conflict *
High level of experienceGood level of experienceLimited - training requiredNo knowledge/experience
4. Conflict resolution *
High level of experienceGood level of experienceLimited - training requiredNo knowledge/experience
5. Ability to build consensus through the clear presentation of views *
High level of experienceGood level of experienceLimited - training requiredNo knowledge/experience
6. Ability to build strong collaborative relationships with members of the board *
High level of experienceGood level of experienceLimited - training requiredNo knowledge/experience

Structure

1. Reviewing governance structures *
High level of experienceGood level of experienceLimited - training requiredNo knowledge/experience
2. Understanding of how the strategic role of Directors differs from the management responsibilities carried out by senior leaders in a trust *
High level of experienceGood level of experienceLimited - training requiredNo knowledge/experience
3. Understanding of the distinct responsibilities of the Trust and the local governing committees of each school *
High level of experienceGood level of experienceLimited - training requiredNo knowledge/experience

Compliance

1. Complying with legal, regulatory, and financial frameworks and statutory guidance *
High level of experienceGood level of experienceLimited - training requiredNo knowledge/experience
2. Awareness of the legal duties and responsibilities of Directors e.g., safeguarding, special educational needs and disabilities *
High level of experienceGood level of experienceLimited - training requiredNo knowledge/experience
3. Willingness to speak up about non-compliance *
High level of experienceGood level of experienceLimited - training requiredNo knowledge/experience

Evaluation

1. Ability to identify the areas in which the knowledge and skills of a Director(s) need to be developed *
High level of experienceGood level of experienceLimited - training requiredNo knowledge/experience
2. Ability to seek out opportunities to improve own practice (attending training, learning from others) *
High level of experienceGood level of experienceLimited - training requiredNo knowledge/experience

Existing Trust Directors only

What contribution do you feel you have made to the board over the past year?
Please give brief details of courses you have undertaken in the last year – include Director training, work-based training/development and/or any other development/training activities.
Are there additional areas of the board’s responsibilities which you would like to contribute towards in the future?

Declaration

Electronic Signature
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Date *
Email *
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