The Challenge
The Richard Rose Academy is located in Carlisle, and has been established in challenging circumstances: schools in special measures, a history of low attainment, and issues of rural deprivation.
The Academy’s vision is to turn this situation around and contribute to Carlisle’s renaissance, with the sponsorship of two local business leaders and strong support from the County Council and DCSF.
As a ‘fast track’ academy, the timetable to set up the new institution was extremely tight, and the broad-ranging role of Chief Executive required a person of exceptional leadership ability and personal qualities.
Our Solution
Our knowledge of the education policy drivers meant we understood at once the demands on the successful candidate - to lead community partnerships and play a key role in the local “place-shaping” agenda.
We recognised that the role was different from that of a traditional school leader – it was a CEO role of two schools, so we launched our search widely beyond education, using a tightly-defined yet generic specification of the skills required to deliver.
Our strong networks within the sector and the region enabled us to undertake a search that took in people from many different backgrounds, but also targeted individuals with the necessary level of credibility, a commitment to ‘Every Child Matters’ and a genuine local vision.
The Result
The shortlist we presented to the client included a strong field of school head teachers, candidates from the wider public sector, and a business person with no previous education experience.
The panel were able to consider a broad range of candidates, each of whom brought something different in meeting the demanding brief.
The successful candidate was the Head of Leeds Medical School, and so brought transferable skills from another sector – the NHS.
Above all, he brought a passion and a vision for the Academy and the tenacity and leadership skills necessary to drive the organisation towards its goals.