Job Introduction
Carre's Grammar School and Kesteven and Sleaford High School are two excellent and forward-looking secondary schools located in Sleaford, Lincolnshire. Both schools are renowned for their academic excellence, commitment to high-quality education and fostering a supportive learning environment. Both schools have a strong tradition of nurturing students' academic and personal growth, preparing them for successful futures.
The Robert Carre Trust, which oversees both schools, has decided to merge with the Community Inclusive Trust (CIT) to ensure the long-term success and sustainability of the schools. This strategic move is driven by several key factors:
• Financial Resilience and Growth: As one of the smaller multi-academy trusts, the Robert Carre Trust faces challenges in terms of financial resilience and capacity for growth. Merging with CIT, a well-regarded and growing multi-academy trust, will provide access to broader financial resources and stability.
• Enhanced Educational Networks: CIT comprises fifteen primary and specialist schools across Lincolnshire and neighbouring counties. Joining CIT will allow Carre's Grammar School and Kesteven and Sleaford High School to benefit from wider educational networks, fostering collaboration and sharing best practices.
• Strengthened Leadership and Professional Development: The merger will formalise and deepen the existing partnership between the two trusts, enhancing leadership capacity and providing greater opportunities for professional development for staff.
• Opportunities for Students: Students will benefit from the merger through economies of scale, improved resources, and greater opportunities for academic and extracurricular activities.
Our current Director of Finance and Resources has moved into a different role within the trust, and this presents an exciting opportunity to join our schools and take responsibility for leading, managing and developing the business operations within the context of a larger trust.
The School Business Manager (SBM) will play a crucial role in this transition and beyond. The SBM will lead and manage the schools' business operations, ensuring the effective use of resources to support high-quality teaching and learning. The SBM will be instrumental in ensuring the smooth integration of the schools into CIT, maintaining their heritage and ethos while positioning them to thrive in a collaborative and forward-thinking trust.
Key responsibilities include:
• Strategic and Operational Leadership: Acting as a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, contributing to whole-school planning and decision-making, and leading on business continuity planning and risk management.
• Finance Management: Collaborating with the Headteachers and the central Finance team to maximize productivity, manage budgets, and ensure financial compliance.
• Administration and ICT: Overseeing administrative functions, ensuring efficient office systems, and supporting the development and implementation of digital strategies.
• Catering and Premises Management: Managing the schools' catering provision and ensuring the maintenance and safety of the school sites.
• Human Resources: Working closely with the Trust’s HR advisers to manage staffing, recruitment, and professional development.
How to apply
We are genuinely open minded about the background of potential applicants for this role - the ability to lead and develop the finance and business operations across our schools to support the development of our students will be paramount.
You are warmly invited to visit our school. If you would like to visit, please contact my PA, Mrs Julie Body, on 01529 302181 and she will be happy to arrange this.
To the right candidate, this post will be an extremely rewarding experience, an opportunity to really make a difference. I hope that having read the information and looked at the information on the website, you will make an application. To do so, please submit the application form and a covering letter to julie.body@carres.uk. Completed applications should be in school no later than midday on Friday 4 July 2025. Interviews will take place during the following week, but we reserve to right to call candidates to interview before the closing date.
In compliance with our Safer Recruitment procedures, application must be made on the school’s application form, supported by a covering letter. CVs alone will not be accepted.
Our school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service, barred list check, references and medical checks. Pre-employment checks are in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education.
Fluency Duty
In accordance with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 (Fluency Duty), the ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.
The school advertising the vacancy will contact you directly regarding the outcome of your application and any interviews. When interviews are taking place schools will follow all Government and Public Health England Guidelines.
All shortlisted candidates will need to verify their eligibility to work in the UK at interview.
