Application Pack

For post of Finance Manager

June 2014

BRYMORE ACADEMY

APPLICANT INFORMATION PACK

  1. Brymore Academy - Background Information
  1. Letter
  1. Job Description
  1. Person Specification
  1. Terms and Conditions

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Brymore is a state boarding academy for boys situated in its own beautiful grounds of 60 acres in Cannington, near Bridgwater. In 1951 Somerset County Council purchased the estate at Brymore for £6,600 and following extensive repairs and alterations it was opened as a Secondary Technical School in September 1952 for boys aged 13-17. Today, sixty years later, Brymore is a Foundation School and is part of a Trust with Bridgwater College as the lead partner. From September 2013 it will become a sponsored academy as part of the Bridgwater College Multi-Academy Trust (with Bridgwater College as the sponsor) and is hoping to extend its age range to admit boys from the age of 11 in September 2014.

Brymore is at an exciting period in its history with over £6.5 million going into new buildings - £3 million into new boarding houses which opened in January 2009 and over £1 million into new classrooms and laboratories which opened in September 2008 and a further £2 million refurbishment project of the main boarding house. Work on a new dining hall is also due to start soon. It is a delightful and special place to work with young people.

The four corner stones to the Brymore experience are the farm, gardens, workshops and sport - plus, of course, the fact that it is a boarding school. Brymore has excellent facilities. It has a 110 acre farm including its own dairy herd, beef, pigs, sheep and chickens. It has extensive horticultural facilities including a one acre walled garden, glasshouses and each boy has access to his own plot. We have three workshops, a forge and a CAD/CAM room so that boys can work with a variety of materials. Boys enjoy a wide range of sports including the traditional rugby, hockey, cricket and athletics. They also have access to an outdoor pool, nine hole golf course and driving range, activity centre and take part in country sports such as fishing and shooting.

There are currently 143 boys on roll, increasing to over 180 in September 2014. Over 100 of these are boarders but even the dayboys board when on a “duty” week. (This involves milking or feeding at 6.30am, then School, then duties again at 4.00pm). All the boys help on the farm and in the gardens. Half the boys come from farming backgrounds. As a StateBoarding School parents pay modest boarding fees and the state pays for the education. We complete our 190 teaching days within thirty-two weeks by working a full day on a Saturday. This results in twenty weeks holiday per year.

The pastoral system at Brymore comprises three houses, Galsworthy, Taylor and Walker. Each has a Head of House who is also in charge of the tutor group in Year 9. The rewards system is well established and is of great importance to the ethos of the school. We have an assembly each day but the Saturday gathering is chiefly given over to the embodiment of this system - certificates and awards are presented along with sports results and items of good news. Each term the results of inter-house fixtures are added to merits, commendations, attendance and other data to produce the result for the FOBSA Trophy (Friends of Brymore School Association). Through this, and other means, we actively seek to reward each boy for their endeavour and skill. We do not give rewards for the sake of it, but the system is remarkably good at finding something to celebrate in each boy.

Exam results last year were the best ever when over 86% of boys achieved 5 or more A*-C grades. This compares with 54% 4 years ago. The schools progress figures are excellent, placing us in the top 3% of schools nationally last year.

Brymore is also about student development as well as academic success, so the context is one of encouraging the best out of boys who, frequently, have not thought of themselves as successful at school. We change that by finding out what they are good at, by building self-esteem and confidence and by encouraging them to live by our own three Rs - Resilience, Resourcefulness and Responsibility. We expect boys to be polite, courteous and to be able to hold a conversation and to mix well with people they do not know.

At present there are three classes in each Year Group of approximately 50 students, giving class sizes of 15-20 boys. All boys study Agriculture, Horticulture and Resistant Materials/Engineering at Key Stage 4. However, we will also allow boys to meet the requirements of the English Baccalaureate should they wish. Results have traditionally been high in value added terms, with a number of departments performing in the top five in Somerset.

The school comprises of three boarding houses, each holding up to 50 students. Two staff are assigned to, and live in each house, with duty staff and Gap Tutors running activities and Prep in the evenings. A senior member of staff is always on call, including overnight. The Head of Boarding oversees the school’s boarding facility. Many activities are run in the evenings, so that boys are occupied at all times. Saturday afternoons are taken up with activities, including rugby, hockey, farm, gardens, golf, Duke of Edinburgh, photography and a cookery class. Many boys go home on Saturday evening, usually leaving a maximum of 40 boys who remain in on a Sunday before all boys return Sunday night/Monday morning.

The School underwent almost a complete change in Senior Leadership Team 3 year ago and is making significant changes to improve the attainment of the boys. The focus is very much on Raising Achievement and changes are focused on ensuring the school meets the floor targets so that at least 40% of our students gain 5 or more GCSE’s A* - C including English and Maths. The Headteacher and Leadership team have just led the School through an Ofsted inspection where the school was graded as “satisfactory” with ‘good’ for leadership and management in recognition of the rapid progress and pace of change. The support of parents is exceptional, with 100% recommending the school in a recent Ofsted survey.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Post:Finance Manager

Grade:Grade 10 (£27,323 - £31,160 pro rata)

Actual Salary (£20,656 per annum with an annual incremental progression to the top of the scale)

Hours:28hrs per week over 4 days, 45.9 weeks per year

Responsible to:Headteacher

Main Purpose

To provide day-to-day financial management of the school and associated undertakings. Further develop financial controls and lead on monthly and year close and be responsible for producing the statutory accounts. Ensure provision of management information to allow accurate strategic decision making.

  1. Duties and Responsibilities
  • To provide monthly management accounts for the school (Headteacher and Finance Director of the Multi-Academy Trust), with detailed analysis against budget and prior years
  • Present to the School’s Local Advisory Body and Committees papers which have a financial implication, such as management accounts, budgets, risk management and procurement.
  • Risk Champion for the School
  • Oversee the budgets held by different budget holders and ensure they are maintained in accordance with financial regulations
  • Monthly analysis and forecasting of all cost centres. This to include determination of potential carry forward or deficit amounts by way of annual forecast
  • Forecast and monitor cash flow
  • Prepare the annual school budget plus 3-year financial forecast to assist the Headteacher in strategic business planning
  • Conduct financial modelling and sensitivity analysis of School’s initiatives and plans
  • Provide annual capitation information to staff and provide monitoring and reporting against these during the school year
  • Ensure effective financial controls are in place
  • Manage the school financial controls, accounting and monitoring systems, with a critical review and offer recommendations to improve
  • Be responsible for the monthly payroll, with analysis of costs at individual level and provision of comprehensive supporting documentation of authorised adjustments
  • Develop and update the school Fixed Asset Register
  • Identify all financial risks to update the school Risk Register
  • Oversee banking arrangements and payment runs
  • Provide VAT accounting and associated documentation, including returns to HMRC
  • Provide statutory annual financial reporting returns in line with Audit requirements
  • Provide support for all other statutory returns (for example Education Funding Agency (EFA) returns)
  • Develop and maintain relationships with external auditors and Responsible Officer
  • Liaison with various external bodies, including the company’s bankers, HMRC, payroll contractor and other service providers
  • Assist with cost/benefit analysis of the lettings within the school and new community opportunities
  • Contribute to procurement and value for money activities
  • Performance manage the Finance Assistant, establishing targets and monitoring performance against them
  • Play an active role in supporting staff with new funding opportunities, including assisting in bid writing
  • To monitor and manage all debtors, reporting monthly to the Headteacher
  • Scrutinising and passing for payment all invoices received in the school.

2Human Resources

  • To prepare adverts/interview packs for all future appointments
  • To ensure the Single Central Record is maintained according to statutory regulations

3Payroll

  • Ensuring payment of and checking of all salaries in liaison with school’s payroll provider
  • Monitor in liaison with payroll provider the pension schemes for teaching and non-teaching staff
  • Dealing with the school’s income tax and rating assessments

4General Duties and Accountabilities

  • Developing an understanding of school policies and procedures, complying with their contents and raising concerns in a timely manner
  • Actively participating in the Performance Management processes within the school
  • Identifying personal training needs and participating in training and performance development whenever required
  • To undertake any other duties appropriate to the grade of the post
  • Comply with the requirements of, and act in accordance with, the school’s policies, not solely but including:
  • Child Protection
  • Health & Safety
  • Equal Opportunities
  • Behaviour for learning
  • To undertake duties as specified by the Headteacher not mentioned in the above
  • To comply with any reasonable request from the senior leadership team to undertake work of a similar level that is not specified in the job description

Job descriptions are subject to annual review

PERSON SPECIFICATION - Finance Manager

Factors / Essential / Desirable / How identified
Qualifications /
  • Either recognised financial qualification ie CIPFA, ACCA or AAT qualification with previous experience of working in a school/academy
  • Educated to GCSE (good grades in Maths)
/ Application form
Verification and demonstration of knowledge at interview
Professional Experience /
  • Ability to operate Management Information Systems
  • Some experience of budget monitoring and account reconciliation
  • Experience of producing standard financial reports
  • Experience of undertaking a range of clerical and administrative duties, including data input and retrieval
  • Experience of school finance systems
  • A good level of ICT competence
/ Application form
Selection procedure
Interview questions
Performance in selection methods
Interview by demonstration of ability to display knowledge and skills
References
Skills/Abilities /
  • Ability to take a strategic view in relation to the short, medium and long term financial needs
  • Experience of contracts management
  • Excellent communication skills, both written and oral
  • Ability to show sensitivity and objectivity in dealing with confidential issues
  • Ability to work to deadlines with minimum supervision
  • Display commitment to the protection and safeguarding of children
/
  • Experience of securing special grants/ sponsorship/income generating activities
  • Able to commit to working some evenings (Governing Body meetings)
/ Application form
Selection procedure
References
Interview
Performance in related selection exercises
Specialist Knowledge /
  • Familiarity with SIMs/FMS or willingness to learn
  • Knowledge of computer systems including spreadsheets
/
  • A basic knowledge of the financial workings of a school
/ Application form
Selection procedure
References
Interview
Performance in related selection exercises
Other Requirements /
  • An effective team player but can think and work independently
  • Able to motivate pupils and staff
  • A good health and attendance record
  • Able to work under pressure, meet deadlines
  • Can keep calm in a crisis
/ Application form
Selection procedure
References
Interview
Performance in related selection exercises

BRYMORE ACADEMY

Terms and Conditions

Conditions of Service

Full conditions of employment are set out in a Statement of Terms and Conditions of Employment which will be issued to the successful candidates.

Fitness for Employment

The successful candidate will be required to complete a medical questionnaire which may result in a check by the Occupational Health Physician. A criminal record check is also required via the disclosure procedure.

Salary

Salary is paid on the last working day of each month and averaged out over the full year to provide 12 equal monthly salary payments. The salary for this post is based on FTE Grade 10 which is £27,323 - £31,160. For 28 hours/week this would equate to a starting rate of £20,656 per annum, with an annual incremental progression to the top of the scale.

Equal Opportunities

Brymore Academy is committed to the promotion of equal opportunities and is dedicated to non-discriminatory policies and practices and to eliminate unfair discrimination on any basis. Therefore, no candidates will be discriminated against on the grounds of age, gender, marital status, racial origin, disability, sexual origin or religious or political beliefs.

Safe Recruitment

The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and visitors to share this commitment. This post requires a criminal record check via the disclosure procedure.

Any persons residing at the property with you will also be required to undertake a criminal record check via the disclosure procedure and sign a boarding agreement.

Criminal Record Check

The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 gives individuals the right not to disclose details of certain old offences when asked about their criminal record as they may be defined as ‘spent’.

Applications

Applicants for the post need to complete an application form and return to the school office by Thursday 3rd July. Short listed candidates will be informed after the closing date.

Interviews

Interviews will be held during the week beginning 7th July 2014.