Milton Keynes Academy Recruitment

The Milton Keynes Academy, sponsored by Edge, opened in September 2009 in an all new building. Edge, is an educational foundation, dedicated to raising the profile of vocational and practical learning. The new Academy aims to raise educational standards by applying practical experience to learning and by providing opportunities to excel through both vocational and academic studies.

Cambridge Education provided educational advice, ICT consultancy, project management and HR/TUPE support to the Academy in the feasibility and implementation phases of the project.

As part of its support, Cambridge Education was appointed to provide specialist recruitment support in the appointment of all of the Academy’s senior leadership posts, including the Principal Designate, Senior Vice Principal and the Finance and Operations Director.

The first stage of the recruitment process included close consultation with the Academy sponsors to ensure that their needs were fully recognised and they were briefed on the processes and timescales involved.  It was important to agree key dates from the very beginning to ensure the right people were available when needed.  Each advertising campaign was unique to the specific role. 

Cambridge Education’s in-house graphics team put together high impact adverts and application packs that were specially tailored to the Academy’s branding, vision and ethos.  Our education consultants were on hand to advise on Job Descriptions and Person Specifications.  They attended and advised at short listing, as well as offering guidance on questions and activities for the interview days.  Prior to the interview day, a member of the team liaised with all stakeholders to arrange logistics including: sourcing suitable venues, creating interview packs and arranging any special activities such as classroom observation or a meeting with the Student Council.  The interview days were attended by an education consultant and the person in charge of logistics – to ensure that everything ran smoothly and all involved in the process were organised, comfortable and in the right place at the right time. 

For every post where Cambridge Education was involved, successful appointments were made on the first recruitment campaign.  The close relationship Cambridge Education developed with the Academy, led to further work following its opening.  Cambridge Education now provides them with a very successful and well-received HR Advisory and Consultancy service. 

Cambridge Education added value:

• Complete recruitment management from advice on job descriptions and person specifications to appointment.
• Successful appointment of all posts.
• Positive experiences for both candidates and interviewers.