Trustee vacancy information
Altus Education Partnership is seeking 2 educationalists with specialisms in primary and secondary (including post 16) education to join the board of Trustees. The educationalists should have a strong understanding of school improvement, and an understanding of the latest Ofsted framework would be an advantage. The Trust welcomes applications from all backgrounds but would particularly welcome applications from those from traditionally under-represented backgrounds.
Trust Board meetings are held 4 times a year on a Wednesday, typically 5pm-7pm. Meetings are held face to face at the Trust’s Headquarters in Rochdale centre, although the option to join remotely can be facilitated in exceptional circumstances. Occasionally meetings will be held at one of the schools to align with Trustee site visits. The Trust board also have the following committees:
- Finance & Resources (x3 meetings per year)
- Audit & Risk (x3 meetings per year)
- Education Standards (x5 meetings per year)
It is expected that the new Trustee will bring their expertise to the Education standards committee. The new Trustee would not be expected to Chair the committee.
A full induction programme with meetings with the CEO, CFO and Chair of the Board along with a full training package will be available online and via local providers for the new Trustees joining the board. Successful applicants will also receive access to Governors for Schools ‘First 100 Days of being a Trustee’ e-learning. Â
About Altus Education Partnership
Altus Education Partnership is a 4 school Trust based in Rochdale (2 secondary schools, 1 primary and Rochdale Sixth Form College). The Trust aims to build a family of inclusive academies from early years to 18 in Rochdale and its surrounds, with the memorandum between Rochdale Sixth Form College and Hopwood Hall College forming the cornerstone of the Trust’s strategy. The Trust has an ‘all through’ strategy, with the vision of there being one level three provider (Rochdale Sixth Form College) with a number of secondary and primary schools that operate as main feeder schools. The Trust have formed an eligibility criteria to assess schools waiting to the join the Trust against and are mindful that educational and economic efficiency remain a priority.Â
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The Trust has a commitment to working with Rochdale schools, regularly working with local schools in various supporting capacities. The Trust is due to expand to 5 schools in 2025 with an Outstanding primary school joining, and a further 2 schools in current talks about joining Altus. Altus also enjoy good relationships with Rochdale Local Authority.Â
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Current priorities for the Trust are focused support for it’s secondary schools, one is currently graded ‘Requires Improvement’ by Ofsted and another is overdue it’s inspection and both schools serve areas of considerable deprivation. The Trust have a dedicated school improvement team to provide additional support alongside the Education and Standards Committee.
To be considered, please apply through the Trustee Recruitment Service and reference this role in your application.
Apply now
General information about being a Trustee in the Education Sector
What difference will you make? What’s in it for the volunteer?
Volunteering on an academy trust board is deeply rewarding and impacts the lives of hundreds, even thousands, 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 Â
fantastic opportunity to give back to communities by strengthening education.
Becoming a Trustee is also an opportunity for you 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.Â
All roles are pro bono.
Governing boards should represent the communities they serve, as well as wider society. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply 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 students, from school finance all the way through to staff recruitment and pupil admissions. We believe that true representation at board level enables all students to fulfil their potential.
Further Information
We strongly recommend that you review information about the trust both via their website, and also on Companies House, Get Information About Schools and the Schools Financial Benchmarking Service.
For essential reading, please visit the resources for academy trustees section of our website, where you will find the Academy Trust Governance Guide, Academy Trust Handbook and our free eLearning, ‘Becoming a Trustee’.