South Pennine Academies
Trustee Vacancy Information
The trust is based in Kirklees and is currently seeking a new trustee with a background in Risk analysis and compliance.
What do trustees do?
These roles have a dual function – as well as operating as a trustee of the academy trust as a charity, volunteers are classed as Non-Executive Directors, listed on Companies House and subject to company law. You’ll 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.
From large national trusts to small community-based trusts, you can work with our regional experts to find a suitable match.
Board governance in education is considered a strategic, “eyes on, hands off” commitment, requiring that you give up to eight hours per month of your time and attend up to six meetings across a 12-month period.
The key functions of the board are
- Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
- Holding executive leaders to account – both for the educational performance of the organisation and its pupils and the effective and efficient performance management of staff
- Overseeing the organisation’s financial performance and ensuring its funds are directed to the best possible educational outcomes for young people
What the trust is looking for
The board then has three committees that look in detail at the Quality of Education, Finance & Resources, and Audit & Risk. The committees meet two to three times a year. The Trust would welcome candidates with expertise in Risk, Compliance and Governance.
What difference will you make? What's in it for the volunteer?
Volunteering on an academy trust board is deeply rewarding as it allows you to impact the life chances of young people. Academy trusts support schools to give children a better future. For young people to have the best possible opportunities in later life, it’s vital we have individuals with the right expertise leading schools and holding executive teams accountable. Becoming a trustee is a fantastic opportunity to give back to your local community by strengthening education.
As well as looking for new opportunities to give something back to society, you may be looking for opportunities to build your experience in strategic decision-making at senior level or demonstrate your ability to perform in a non-executive position as part of a portfolio career.
All roles are pro bono
People from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Governing boards should represent the communities they serve, as well as wider society. We welcome interest from underrepresented groups to ensure academy trust boards are diverse in background, skillset, and thought.
Diversity is a powerful instrument for effective governance. Trustees are required to make choices that impact the daily lives of children, from school finance all the way through to staff and pupil recruitment. It’s essential that boards possess a broad set of beliefs, experiences, and ideas to inform their final judgements. We believe that true representation at board level enables all children to fulfil their potential.