Become A Trustee or School Trust Member
Becoming a trustee can be an enriching experience for you, the community you serve and, most importantly, for the academy's pupils or students.
Background on academy trusts Members / Trustees
Academy schools, which are charities run independently of local authority control, now account for 71% of secondary schools and 26% of primaries – and their number is growing all the time.
Many of these schools are grouped together as multi-academy trusts (MATs). There are currently 980 multi academy trusts of 2+ schools. If the schools are to fulfil their potential, the trusts need non-executives (known in charity law as trustees) to bring a wide range of skills and experience to help guide strategy, ensure their ambitions can be soundly financed and keep their schools up to the mark delivering for their pupils.
“Academy boards must be ambitious for all children and young people and infused with a passion for education and a commitment to continuous school improvement that enables the best possible outcomes. Governance must be grounded in reality as defined by both high-quality objective data and a full understanding of the views and needs of pupils/students, staff, parents, carers and local communities. It should be driven by inquisitive, independent minds and through conversations focused on the key strategic issues which are conducted with humility, good judgement, resilience and determination.” Source: Governance Handbook, Department for Education (2017)
Trusteeship is a voluntary, unpaid role for people who have the energy and skills to make a real contribution to shaping the future of our schools.
A specialist knowledge of education is preferred but not always considered essential.
Vacancy for a Trust Member (1)
Applicants should have an extensive and demonstrable background in senior leadership roles, with strategic vision and knowledge of the non-executive director role. Candidates are expected to demonstrate the seven principles of public life set out by Lord Nolan.
What's involved?
Members have a similar role to the shareholders in a company limited by shares. They provide high-level oversight and scrutiny of the work of the trust board.
Most notably, members:
- define the trust's charitable object and governance structure;
- amend the articles of association;
- appoint or remove trustees;
- appoint the trust's auditors and receive the trust's annual audited accounts; and, ultimately,
- dissolve the academy trust if required.
Members will typically meet once per year with preparation time required. This translates to a commitment of around two hours per month.
Our Governance Structure
https://www.cfat.org.uk/trust-information/statutory-information
Further information on the member role at a multi-academy trust is available on the gov.uk website.
Successful candidates will join our team of Members and Trustees who are experienced business leaders and professionals.
TRUSTEE Applications
If you are interested in applying for the role please send your CV and a short expression of interest detailing which role you are applying for to c.holden@cfat.org.uk for passing to our Chair of Trustees
Please note candidates should live within reasonable travelling distance of the trust and/or have a link with the school/academy’s local community.
For more information, please call 01942 487973
Non-Executive Director - Application Pack
Legal Notice
Each new member of the Board will be required to provide two references and must complete an enhanced DBS check (without barred list, unless they will be engaging in regulated activity) prior to appointment.
The Chair of the Trust Board is responsible for ensuring that enhanced DBS checks are undertaken, and identity checks completed (with any additional checks taken as appropriate if an individual has lived or worked outside the UK) for the other members of the Trust Board
before, or as soon as practicable after, they take up their position. In addition, since September 2016 all members of the Trust Board must be checked under a Section 128 direction, which prohibits or restricts a person who has previously been prohibited from teaching from taking part in the management of an independent school, including academies and free schools. A check for a section 128 direction (“prohibition check”) can be carried out using the Teacher Services System, and the information will be included in the Single Central Record.
As required by the DfE, each school will keep a Single Central Record to provide confirmation that relevant checks have been taken for:
- all staff (including supply staff and trainee teachers) who work in the school
- all members of the “proprietor body” e.g. relevant information for governors, Trust Board members, and central trust staff