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Vacancy - Inspiring Choices Board Chair

Inspiring Choices are seeking to appoint a new Advisory Board chair.

Inspiring Choices is part of the OfS funded Uni Connect Programme, a widening participation initiative that offers impartial and independent advice, information and guidance on the benefits and realities of all educational progression routes including doing an apprenticeship, going to college and/or university.

The programme aims to deliver an engaging programme of activity that will empower underrepresented young people in York and North Yorkshire to develop their knowledge of educational opportunities, build their confidence and develop academic skills leading to their continued success in education.

Knowledge and understanding of the widening participation agenda, and the school/college environment in York and North Yorkshire is essential. Previous experience gained in board level leadership roles in complex organisations is desirable, but it is equally important that you share our values and can relate well to people at all levels. It is essential that you are able to work in a collegiate way, providing both constructive challenge and support through some difficult decisions.

The role is voluntary and unremunerated though expenses may be claimed.

Applicants should send their curriculum vitae (CV), a 1-2 page supporting statement outlining why they are interested in the role and how their knowledge and experience relate to the role description (please see the recruitment pack), and an equal opportunity monitoring form (please find below) to gov.compliance@yorksj.ac.uk. The deadline for applications is close of midnight on the 11th November 2024. Interviews will be held on the 28th November 2024 at York St John University.

For further information, please contact Kathryn Kendon, University Secretary & Registrar, via gov.compliance@yorksj.ac.uk.

Recruitment Pack - Chair

Briefing Sheet

Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form

About us

We are Inspiring Choices, the York & North Yorkshire hub for the national Uni Connect programme.

We work with local schools, colleges and communities across the region to support young people to make informed decisions about their future education and careers. The programme is based at York St John University and is delivered in partnership with local Universities, Colleges, LAs, the LEP and other local education and enterprise stakeholders.

Recent Careers Strategy Guidance brings increased accountability for school/college leaders to deliver a coordinated whole school/college approach to careers guidance for all students. Inspiring Choices is keen to ensure that the
activity on offer goes some way to supporting schools, colleges and community groups to
meet this responsibility.

If you are a teacher or parent based in York & North Yorkshire, and would like to find out if your students are eligible to join the programme please contact us for more information.

What is Uni Connect?

Uni Connect is a national programme that aims to support young people to make well-informed decisions about their future education and to reduce the gap in higher education participation between the most and least represented groups. It started in January 2017 and is funded by the Office for Students (OfS). Uni Connect brings together 29 partnerships of universities, colleges, schools and other local agencies to deliver sustained and progressive programmes of higher education outreach to young people aged 13 and above. Work is particularly focused on geographic areas in England where participation in higher education is low overall and lower than expected given local GCSE results. Inspiring Choices operates specifically across York & North Yorkshire.

Find out more on the Office For Students website