Ivy Education Trust – Teignmouth

 

Trustee vacancy information

We are currently seeking a trustee to join the board of Ivy Education Trust, a trust of 8 schools, with an annual budget of £25m.  

As a trustee/director your key responsibilities will be to: 

• Ensure clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction 

• 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 

• Oversee the organisation’s financial performance and 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. 

 

About Ivy Education Trust

Ivy Education Trust is an 8 school Trust made up of 5 primaries and 3 secondaries (including two sixth form provisions) based within a 30 minute radius of each other along the Coastline South of Exeter. Schools in the Trust range from small village primary schools with under 100 children, to a large split site secondary of 1400 pupils. All schools, bar 2, have had successful recent Ofsted inspections including Teignmouth Community School which turned around from inadequate to predominantly ‘Good’ within 19 months. The final two school’s inspections are anticipated in the next 12 months. The Trust have a dedicated School Improvement Committee to support its schools journey’s, this may be merged into the Education Standards Committee as the need for the dedicated SIP support decreases. Ivy Education Trust’s values of courage, compassion, collaboration, and commitment underpin their work and their broad, balanced and ambitious curriculum aims to develop pupils and open doors to their future success. The Trust maintains a strong focus on developing and providing inspirational teaching and leadership through its school-to-school improvement. The Trust currently serves over 3600 pupils and 600 staff. 
 
The Trust is mindful of having a ‘compassionate’ approach to growth while ensuring a balanced approach to prioritising support to its schools. The trust has strong links to the Exeter Church of England Diocese and has Articles of Association which allow it to have CoE faith-designated schools or secular community schools within it. At this point there is only one primary school which is part of the Exeter Diocese, but others may join in the future. 

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 the trust is looking for 

Ivy Education Trust are looking for an Educationalist to join their Trust Board and Education Standards Committee. The ideal candidate will have knowledge/experience of the primary sector, having worked in a leadership or school improvement role in more than one school. Additionally, a firm understanding of primary education data and the Ofsted inspection process would be an advantage as well as knowledge of the communities the Trust serve. The Trust welcomes applications from all backgrounds but would particularly welcome applications from those from traditionally under-represented backgrounds. 
 
Trust Board meetings 5 times a year (one per half term). Meetings are held 10am-12pm on the following dates: 10/12/2024, 04/03/2025, 13/05/2025, 15/05/2025. 
Education Standards Committee meetings 3 times a year. Meetings are held 8.30am-10.30am on the following dates: 25/02/2025, 20/05/2025 
 
The trust also has an annual Governance Meeting from 5-7pm in June for all Trustees and local governors to meet and discuss Trust matters. At present each trustee has a link school which they are invited to visit (once or twice a year) at a mutually agreeable time to see the impact of trust decisions within the school and provide a conduit for communication and feedback. Trustees are not expected to attend their link school’s local governance committee meetings. 
 
The trust has a comprehensive training and induction programme which new Trustees will have access too. Successful applicants will also receive access to Governors for Schools ‘First 100 Days of being a Trustee’ e-learning. 

 

What difference will you make? 

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. 

 

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/Groups/Group/Details/4915 

On this page you will find a link to the Trust’s record on Companies House. 

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’.