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The school serves a highly diverse and changing community, with a significantly above-national average number of pupils who speak English as an Additional Language (EAL). While levels of free school meals (FSM) and social deprivation are around average or slightly below, the school's demographic continues to evolve, requiring adaptable and strategic leadership.

From a finance perspective, this context presents both stability and complexity. Resource allocation must be carefully planned to ensure equity and impact, particularly as the school prepares for a potential transition to Single Academy Trust (SAT) status. A volunteer with financial expertise would play a crucial role in supporting robust budgeting, long-term financial planning, and value-for-money decisions—helping to secure strong outcomes for all pupils in a dynamic environment.

Joining the board offers a finance professional the opportunity to apply their skills with real purpose—shaping a school that’s forward-looking, inclusive, and strategically preparing for a sustainable future.

Establishment Information

Unique Reference Number (URN): 138708
Address: 18 Cotham Grove, Bristol, BS6 6AL
Local authority: Bristol
Website: www.cothamgardens.co.uk
Type of establishment: Single-academy trust
Phase(s) of education: Primary
Usual start time of meeting: 17:00
Ofsted Rating: Good

What does the role include?

As a trustee/director your key responsibilities are to ensure clarity of vision, ethos, and strategic direction; to hold executive leaders to account – both for the educational performance of the organisation and its pupils and the effective and efficient performance management of staff; and to oversee the organisation’s financial performance to ensure its funds are directed to the best possible educational outcomes for young people. By volunteering as a trustee/director you will be responsible for contributing to the strategic decision-making of the board, helping the trust to realise immediate and long-term goals, and ultimately ensuring transparency, accountability, and challenge.

What are the benefits?

Volunteering on an academy trust board is a meaningful way to shape young people’s futures and strengthen education in your community. Trustees play a vital role in setting strategic direction and holding executive leaders to account — ensuring schools deliver the best outcomes. Alongside making a tangible impact, you’ll gain valuable experience in senior-level decision-making. This is a great opportunity to support your career development, build a non-executive portfolio, and give back to education.

Further information:

You can also find out more public information about the Trust on the Get Information About Schools Page https://www.get-information-schools.service.gov.uk/Search?SelectedTab=Groups COTHAM GARDENS PRIMARY SCHOOL LTD reference number is 2749 The following webpage also provide useful information and reading to any potential trustee: https://governorsforschools.org.uk/trs/resources-for-academy-trustees/ If you have any questions before applying, please contact our Trustee Recruitment Team on [email protected]