Appointment of Chair April 2019 - Saxton Bampfylde

Appointment of Chair
         April 2019

An Introduction to Marlborough College

Founded in 1843, Marlborough College is the largest co-educational full boarding school in
the UK with 962 pupils, aged 13 to 18 years. The College is academically ambitious, offering
a contemporary, challenging and enriching education where service to others is of profound
importance.
Marlborough offers a fast paced, modern education which is inclusive and diverse. It is proud
of its Anglican heritage and is situated in an historically significant setting at the western end
of the Wiltshire market town of Marlborough. It occupies 286 acres of stunning and
significant landscape. The Marlborough Mound, a man-made structure dating back to
2,400BC, lies at the heart of the campus and the school itself is built on the ancient palace of
King John.
The pupils study a wide range of subjects to A level and Pre-U, and the College boasts strong
entry to Oxbridge and elite universities in the UK and internationally.
Marlborough employs 140 teaching staff and 500 support staff, and is the largest employer
in the town. It owns a substantial number of teaching and ancillary buildings, staff housing
and expansive grounds and playing fields.
The College owns a thriving 3 to 18 years co-educational boarding school in the region of
Iskandar Malaysia. Marlborough College Malaysia (MCM) is a wholly owned subsidiary of
Marlborough College and as such is a unique international independent school.
Access and outreach is of great importance to Marlborough College and there is a
well-developed partnership with Swindon Academy and involvement with local and
international schools. The College derives significant income from its enterprise and
development functions.
Further information on Marlborough College can be found on the website, Twitter, or from
the ISI.

The Council

Marlborough College was established in 1843 by Royal Charter. The Council is charged with the governance of the College. The Charter and bye-laws describe the appointment, duties
and powers of the Council, including the appointment of a Chair who serves for a period of three years, renewable by a further period of the same length.

The Council currently comprises 18 members who possess a diverse range of skills and experience. They include many independent members with educational experience and interest,
some Old Marlburians and some parents The Council was reviewed by the Association of Governing Bodies in Schools (AGBIS) in June 2018. More information about the Council’s
composition can be found here.

The Role of Chair

This is an exciting time to be a part of Marlborough College. A new Master in 2018, Mrs Moelwyn-Hughes, a new Bursar soon to join, and a firm foundation of academic and
organizational excellence mean that the next Chair will join a dynamic, changing and secure College. A close and effective working relationship with the Master will be of
paramount importance and the Chair will provide support and advise the Master and senior leadership team. He or she must be attuned to the political and financial challenges
facing great schools and be ready to defend those and to debate them with Government and other bodies that may challenge all that the College does. Playing a key role in
developing and articulating an ambitious vision for Marlborough College, they will be an important part of the development of this prestigious institution.

Core to the role of Chair is leadership of the Council. The Chair will ensure its effective operation, managing its business and providing clear direction. They will provide: clarity of
structure; consistent attentiveness to the terms of reference, for the Council and its sub-committees, encouragement to existing members and input to the recruitment of others;
and a constant focus on upholding the highest standards of integrity, probity, and corporate governance.

Further to this, the Chair will be expected to lead:
The Council’s Business                                                                        Shareholder and Stakeholder Relations

• Setting the forward agenda, taking into account the issues and concerns of all              • Ensuring effective communication with stakeholders, maintaining sufficient
  members, and ensuring regular, frequent, and well informed meetings                           contact to understand their issues and concerns
• Ensuring constructive relations between the Master, Bursar, and Council                     • Being an advocate and ambassador for Marlborough in the local, educational,
  Members                                                                                       national and international community
• Ensuring the performance of the Council, its committees, and members are                    • Maintaining the Chair’s connection to the parent body
  evaluated once a year, acting on the results of such evaluation by recognising              • Building relations with key donors and playing a role in fundraising efforts,
  strengths and addressing weaknesses.                                                          particularly for bursarial expansion
                                                                                              • Where appropriate, reflecting the views of stakeholders to the Council, or
Council Membership                                                                              facilitating others to do so, in order to develop its understanding of those
                                                                                                perspectives.
• Building an effective and complementary Council whose capability is appropriate
  for the scale, complexity, and strategic position of the school                             The College Community
• Facilitating the effective contribution of Council Members to deliberations and to
  the College more broadly                                                                    • If and when required, leading or supporting the process of appointing key College
• Initiating change and planning for succession in Council appointments, ensuring               leaders
  a continuity of strengths in the membership                                                 • Playing a visible and positive role in the life of the College
• Supporting and encouraging current Council members.                                         • Ensuring regulatory and safeguarding compliance are core to the College
                                                                                              • Maintaining the College’s dedication to public benefit.
                                                                                              • Liaising with and supporting the Council of Marlborough College Malasia
                                                                                              • Overseeing the Council’s role in further development of international expansion

Person Specification

Marlborough College is seeking an exceptional person with a genuine passion for and commitment to the School.
They will be robust but constructive in their post, with an intuitive understanding of the role of ‘critical friend’.
They will possess gravitas befitting the school, humility and an open and engaged approach which complements
the strengths of the Master, Council, and others in the College.

The successful candidate, in addition to a track record of success in their own chosen field, will bring to the
Council:

• A strong personal commitment to education, and the values, aims and objectives of Marlborough
  College
• An ability, at all times, to act fairly and impartially in the interests of the College as a whole, using
  independent judgement and maintaining confidentiality as appropriate
• Strong chairing and leadership skills which promote effective decision making and constructive debate
• The ability to create an harmonious working environment, by developing and maintaining positive and
  effective relationships
• The ability to analyse and review complex issues and weigh up conflicting opinions
• Excellent communication skills, as well as outstanding influencing and negotiation skills
• Experience in and understanding of strategic planning
• An international mind-set
• A commitment to engaging positively and openly with students, staff, the public and other stakeholders
• The ability to motivate and enthuse others
• The highest standards of integrity and honesty.

Terms of Appointment & How to Apply
                                      The Chair of Council’s duties are extensive and it is
                                      expected that a minimum commitment of 20-30 days
                                      per annum, mainly during term time, would be
                                      required.

                                      Appointment will be subject to referencing and
                                      background checks.

                                      Saxton Bampfylde Ltd is acting as an employment
                                      agency advisor to Marlborough College on this
                                      appointment.

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

                                      Click on the ‘apply’ button and follow the instructions
                                      to upload a CV and cover letter. Letters should be
                                      addressed to Sir John (Professor Sir John Bell).

                                      The closing date for applications is noon on Monday
                                      the 29th of April.

                                      If you are unable to apply through the website, please
                                      call Saxton Bampfylde on 0207 227 0880 quoting
                                      reference FAEAQA.

                                      Marlborough College aims to be an equal
                                      opportunities employer and welcomes applications
                                      from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their
                                      race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation
                                      or age. The College follows recommended safe
                                      recruitment guidelines including enhanced Disclosure
                                      & Barring Service checks.