1

Thank you for your interest in the role of Management Accountantat the Hastings Academies Trust

www.hasla.org.uk

Hastings Academies Trust Candidate Pack

2

Jenny Jones and Theresa Phillips

We are delighted that you are interested in applying for a post with the Hastings Academies Trust.

This is an exciting time for students in Hastings and St Leonards as the Academies take a lead in the education-led

regeneration of the area. We are committed to tackling disadvantage and our mission is to improve the life chances

of every one of our students by raising their aspirations and providing a high quality, vibrant learning environment

in which they can flourish. In May 2013 both Academies were awarded a ‘Good’ judgement by Ofsted.

The Hastings and St Leonards Academies have now completed a two year, £2.6 million upgrade to their ICT

facilities. This has been carried out as part of a £30 million investment programme which has delivered new or

substantially refurbished Academy buildings and facilities and enabled state of the art technology and teaching

solutions to be introduced.

As part of the ICT investment, a new Virtual Learning Environment has been implemented (FROG) to facilitate

communication between staff, pupils and parents and to form a central teaching and learning resource.

Another key element of the IT vision was the provision of tablet devices to all pupils (1:1 scheme). The roll-out of

these devises is now complete and these are already transforming the way in which teaching is being

provided across the Academies.

The Hastings Academies Trust requires a professional, qualified / part-qualified management accountant to provide

support to our finance team for a fixed period of 6 months. You will work with the Head of Finance & Business

Services to assist managers with their budgets, undertake monthly reconciliations and monitor and report on

expenditure. The Hastings Academies Trust is entering an exciting developmental phase with new academies

joining in the New Year, giving the successful candidate a rare opportunity to be involved in the growth of the high

quality educational services provided to local communities.

We hope the enclosed information will encourage you to apply. You are welcome to visit and see us at work. If you

would like to do this, please contact Peter O’Connor, HR Manager (p.oconnor@hasla.org.uk - tel: 01424 711925

who will be happy to organise this.

We very much look forward to receiving your application.

Jenny Jones, PrincipalThe St Leonards Academy

Twitter: @MsJones_TSLA

Theresa Phillips, PrincipalThe Hastings Academy

Twitter: @MrsPhillips_THA

3

The Hastings Academy

The St Leonards Academy

An Introduction to The Hastings Academies Trust

The St Leonards Academy and The Hastings Academy form part of the Hastings Academies Trust. With our sponsors, the University of Brighton, BT and East Sussex County Council, we are working to raise standards and improve the educational experience for the young people of Hastings and their families.

Our ambition is not without challenges, as the Academies sit in areas of significant socio–economic deprivation and in many cases, a culture of low aspiration.

The number of students eligible for free school meals is over twice the national average and the number of students with Special Educational Needs (SEN) is also high.

We believe however, that deprivation does not determine the educational outcomes of our young people.

Each Academy operates autonomously within the Trust, but the Academies collaborate very closely in sharing school improvement strategies and in supporting one another.

4

MissionOur mission is to help every student at The Hastings Academy and The St Leonards Academy achieve his or her full potential, be it educational, economic or social. Students will learn how to contribute to a sustainable future through the power of modern technology, improved communication and close partnership working.

The Mission, Vision and Ethosof the Hastings Academies Trust

Ethos and CultureThe distinctive nature of the Academies will be reflected through theirethos and culture. It is a priority to develop community engagement, promoting a continuous culture of change and nurturing creativity for all.

The Academies complement and work in partnership with their local community to promote and further enhance the already recognised rich, creative environment represented in Hastings.

VisionThe vision is to provide an inclusive and innovative lifelong education environment where the Academies work together with community, education and business partners to equip and encourage individuals to contribute to a prosperous future.

5

Living and Workingin Hastings

The Academies are located in Hastings, one of the best known coastal towns of East Sussex. The Hastings Academy is located in the eastern part of the town and The St Leonards Academy is located in the west. Inland is the Weald, an area of outstanding natural beauty, which has a wide range of attractions as well as a superb choice of housing.

Hastings itself is a lively, diverse coastal community, with plenty to enjoy: a historic and picturesque Old Town, and a new town centre with all the necessities of modern life. Dramatic coastline and nearby countryside are excellent destinations for outdoor activities such as walking and cycling.

The area is easy to explore by foot, bike, bus and rail, or a combination of these.

There are good rail links to Brighton and London, and direct trains to Ashford International station for Eurostar.

We have listed some of the major attractions of the area, which make this an excellent place in which to live and work.

Arts and cultureHastings and the surrounding area have a wealth of culture and history to explore, and a number of festivals throughout the year.

Hastings Museum and Art Gallery and the Old Town Museum contain displays from local to international themes. Visit the Hastings Museum and Art Gallery website to find out about permanent collections and temporary exhibitions. The Jerwood Gallery is a stunning new addition to the Old Town and nurtures excellence in the Arts.

The Electric Palace Cinema brings independent cinema to Hastings with a wide choice of film and film events, while the Odeon shows more mainstream cinema. There is a choice of three theatres, including the White Rock Theatre which presents a wide range of productions. For music lovers there is an exciting variety of venues and events including live music venues and many pubs which host live bands.

A free beach concert features local bands every year and the annual Hastings Beer and Music Festival in May attracts well-known groups.

HistoryThe Hastings area has a rich history, having been inhabited for well over 2000 years. The first port predates the arrivals of the Romans in Britain in 55BC and Hastings’ link with the sea continues as home to the largest beach-launched fishing fleet in Europe.

The town’s architecture reflects the last thousand years of its history, from the lofty Norman castle, medieval churches and timbered buildings in the Old Town’s twisting narrow streets and twittens, to the attractive Victorian buildings and 21st century styles.

6

Sites of specifichistorical interestThe site of the Battle of Hastings in 1066 is just outside Hastings at nearby Battle.

Hastings Castle was the first to be built in England by William the Conqueror. You can visit the ruins on top of the West Hill.

East Sussex boasts a number of other interesting historical attractions, including more castles - Pevensey Castle, first built 1600 years ago in Roman times, Bodiam Castle, dating from the fourteenth century and Herstmonceaux Castle, from the fifteenth century.

The Ragged-Trousered Philanthropists, a novel describing the plight of the working classes in the early twentieth century and now recognised as a classic piece of observation in social criticism, was written in Hastings. The University has celebrated its author, Robert Tressell (pen name of Robert Noonan), by naming one of its halls of residence after him.

There are several thriving local history societies.

Social sceneand festivalsSocial scene Hastings has a range of pubs and wine bars from the quaint taverns of the Old Town to the lively and funky town centre bars. There is also an exciting club scene including Brass Monkey, the Jenny Lind and Fluid.

There are plenty of places to eat round the town, ranging from specialist restaurants offering exotic cuisine, welcoming cafés and bustling Italian bistros, to some of the best fish and chip eateries around.

Hastings is also of course an excellent place to buy fresh fish to eat at home with friends, including succulent locally-smoked salmon steaks. There is a mixture of shops

in Hastings with all the familiar high steet names at the new Priory Meadow Centre and more specialist shops and antique shops in the Old Town.

FestivalsHastings hosts many festivals providing all year round entertainment for families. These include The Jack in The Green Festival where the spirit of the Summer is released, The St Leonards Festival, The Hastings Beer and Music Festival, Coastal Currents, Hastings Old Town Carnival Week, The Hastings Seafood and Wine Festival, and The Hastings Bonfire and Fireworks Display.

SportsHastings has opportunities for sports participants and spectators alike.

Personal fitness and participation sportsMany people choose to keep fit by running along the promenade, where you’ll usually be refreshed by the wind in at least one direction! If you have more time, the walks or bike rides along the dramatic coast or further inland into picturesque Sussex can be exhilarating. You can also keep fit in a range of other ways including:

• Freedom Leisure sports centre

• Kinetika gym

• Water sport clubs offering a range of leisure opportunities including sailboarding, rowing, dinghy racing, surfing and windsurfing.

Spectator sports in HastingsYou can also support a range of spectator sports right on you doorstep in Hastings.

The Hastings half marathon is one of the most highly rated half marathons in the country, often attracting starsof the running world who use it asan early season test due to its timing in the running calendar and its hilly, challenging course. Many local people take part in this event for charity.

Hastings has its own local football club, Hastings United FC, whichplays in the Ryman League Premier Division.

Horntye Park is home to Hastings and St Leonards Priory Cricket Club, The South Saxons Hockey Club and Hastings Town 2000 FC.

More informationInformation on local organisations, clubs and services across East Sussex andBrighton & Hove can be found atEast Sussex CommunityInformation Service (ESCIS).www.escis.org.uk.

7

Rye RoadHastingsEast SussexTN35 5DN

www.thehastingsacademy.org

Twitter: @hastingsacademy

Edinburgh RoadSt Leonards-on-SeaEast SussexTN38 8HH

www.thestleonardsacademy.org

Twitter: @sl_academy

Where To Find Us

8

Employer:Hastings Academies TrustAcademy Location: The St Leonards Academy or other Trust location as required

Job title: Management Accountant

Grade: Single Status Grade 10 Point 26 to 28 £26,555 to £28,684 per annumDependent on qualifications and experienceFixed term contract for 6 months Working 37 hours a week

Benefits: Support with finding accommodation will be given to a successful candidate moving to the area

Responsible to: Head of Finance and Business Services

• To administer and pepare the Academies’ management accounts• To process transactions and accounting adjustments, assist with budgets, monitor costs• To provide support to the Head of Finance and Business Services and cost centre managers

KEY TASKS

1. To work with the Head of Finance & Business Services and cost centre managers to manage budgets

2. To undertake monthly reconciliations of key control accounts

3. To monitor & report on expenditure, especially against budget expectations

JOB DESCRIPTION

MAIN PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

9

4. To ensure all income is accurately accounted for

5. To ensure integrity of ledger data being entered into the accounting system, including processing of purchase orders and authorising invoices

6. To help administer FMS (or other financial software), maintaining records for audit and preparing for audit visits

7. Introduce and operate systems for maintaining Accruals and Prepayments

8. To produce the monthly Management Accounts pack and analysis for inclusion in a Commentary

9. To manage the VAT accounting integrity including quarterly VAT submissions

10. To produce any reports for the Head of Finance and Business Services or cost centre managers, and provide financial support and guidance to Academy staff

11. To introduce and maintain an Asset Register including the security marking of individual items and periodic asset checks

12. Lead by the Head of Finance and Business Services, proactively monitor processes and systems, recommending changes and help implement improvements; e.g. procurement

13. To implement and oversee Leases and Contracts record keeping and input into management thereof

14. To carry out duties in line with the Academy’s policies for Health and Safety, and Equal Opportunities

15. To participate in professional development activities and performance management activities as required

16. To undertake other reasonable duties as directed by your line manager

KEY TASKS (continued)

This job description sets out the duties of the post at the time it was drawn up. The post-holder may be required from time to time to undertake other duties within the Academy as may be reasonably expected, without changing the general character of the

duties or the level of responsibility entailed. This is a common occurrence and would not justify a reconsideration of the grading of the post.

10

Education and Qualifications

1.1 Good level of general education, preferably to ‘A’ level A

1.2 At least part qualified ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA A

Key Skills and Abilities - Essential criteria

2.1 Relevant substantive & demonstrative experience in a similar capacity A/I

2.2 Good communication skills, both written and verbal A/I

2.3 Flexible approach to tasks and environment A/I

2.4 High level of numeracy A/I

2.5 Reliable, able to “own” tasks and see them through A/I

2.6 Ability to work on own initiative A/I

2.7 Ability to explain financial matters clearly to non-financial experts A/I

2.8 Commitment to working as part of a team A/I

2.9 Commitment to providing excellent levels of service A/I

3.0 Comprehensive knowledge of MS packages, especially advanced Excel skills A/I

3.1 Ability to use internet and email effectively A/I

3.2 Ability to maintain good filing systems A/I

3.3 Accuracy and attention to detail A/I

3.4 Able to both “uphold procedures and policies” and challenge the status quo A/I

(Method of Assessment: A = Application Form I = Interview)

Job title: Management Accountant

PERSON SPECIFICATION

11

www.hasla.org.ukContact Peter O’Connor,

HR Manager at: recruitment@hasla.org.uk

or telephone 01424 711925

The closing date for this post is noon on Thursday 9th January 2013

Interview date: To be confirmed

The Hastings Academies Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all

staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All staff will be expected to hold or be willing to obtain Enhanced DBS check or

Enhanced check for Regulated Activity with the Disclosure & Barring Services (previously the Criminal Records Bureau).

Contact details:Rye Road HastingsEast Sussex, TN35 5DN

Telephone: 01424 711950

Contact details:Edinburgh RoadSt Leonards On SeaEast Sussex, TN38 8HH

Telephone: 01424 448740

Hastings Academies Trust Candidate Pack