WANDLE LEARNING TRUST
Trustee Vacancy Information
We are currently seeking a trustee to join the board of WANDLE LEARNING TRUST, a trust of 6 schools.
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 WANDLE LEARNING TRUST
https://wandlelearningtrust.org.uk/
The trust currently operates six schools, including one secondary and five primary schools, with a recent addition on April 1st, 2025. Several other schools, including a small MAT of two schools, are expected to join later in the year. The schools in the MAT are all rated as Ofsted ‘Good,’ with the secondary school recently undergoing an ungraded inspection, which indicated potential for an ‘Outstanding’ rating in the future. The trust has a strong local and national reputation, notably as a Teaching School and an English and Maths Hub, supporting schools and providing professional development. It has also developed a successful phonics program, Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised, which is used in over 5,000 primary schools, and is working on a secondary literacy catch-up program.
The trust’s financial standing is robust, with reserves in line with DfE recommendations, and it has a history of prudent financial management. It earned over £35 million in grant income last year, and as more schools join, this income is expected to grow. Additionally, the trust generates substantial revenue from its phonics program, though there is an ongoing tax investigation regarding VAT registration errors. However, auditors have assured the trustees that this will not threaten the trust’s future operations. The trust serves a broad range of communities, from affluent areas to regions of significant deprivation, and is expanding its footprint to East Sussex. It is committed to removing barriers for disadvantaged children and is focused on providing high-quality provisions and professional development.
Governance at the trust is strong, with a skilled board of trustees and a Governance Professional who supports meetings and documentation. The board is expanding to accommodate the growing trust, seeking two new trustees after one is expected to step down. The trust’s immediate priorities include preparing for the new schools joining, expanding its central team, and reviewing systems and processes. Additionally, the trust is working on its People Strategy and focusing on Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI). The governance structure is designed to offer focused scrutiny in areas such as safeguarding and SEND, with plans to add capacity to the board through new appointments.
What the trust are looking for
The trust is seeking a trustees with knowledge or experience of working with disadvantaged families in South London, particularly those facing community challenges. This experience could stem from personal involvement or professional work with such communities. While experience in the education sector is desirable, it is not a requirement. The trust’s current board members possess a mix of business skills, but the addition of a trustee with a deeper understanding of the local community’s needs would be valuable. As the trust is experiencing significant growth, the ideal candidate should have experience in scaling up operations while maintaining high quality.
New trustees will receive a comprehensive induction program, including access to the CST’s trustee induction program. Candidates with senior-level experience, particularly in business growth or scaling systems, would be highly sought after. The trust values in-person attendance for meetings, though remote participation is possible. Successful candidates should be located within a reasonable commute to the trust’s headquarters in Balham, SW12 8JZ. Board meetings are held four times a year in the evenings, with additional strategy sessions in November and April. Trustees are expected to attend board meetings, strategy sessions, and one of the trust’s three committees, though additional participation is welcome if capacity allows.
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/16895
On this page you will find a link to the Trust’s record on Companies House.
The following documents provide useful information and reading to any potential trustee: