Vacancy for a Trustee/ Non-Executive Director
The Societas Trust – a Multi Academy Trust (“MAT”) of 6 academy settings and 2 associate member settings in North Staffordshire – is seeking to recruit a new Trustee (or non-executive directors) to sit on our Directors’ Board.
About the role
Trustees (or non-executive directors) are both charity trustees and company directors of the academy trust. The core functions of their role are: ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction; holding executive leaders to account for the educational and financial performance of a charitable company funded by the public purse.
The Directors’ Board manages the business of the academy trust and may exercise all the powers of the trust in compliance with its charitable objects, company and charity law.
In the interests of safeguarding, all Directors’ Board appointments would be subject to an enhanced disclosure and barring service check.
Person specification
Every trustee is expected to abide by the trust’s governance code of conduct and the seven principles of public life set out by Lord Nolan: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.
The Competency Framework for Governance (DfE) 2017 details the knowledge, skills and behaviours required for effective governance: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/583733/Competency_framework_for_governance_.pdf
Suitable candidates should have any one or more of the experience/expertise required for this strategic role listed below:
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– Strategic Leadership/Governance – MAT Compliance/ Accountability – The role of the Non-executive/ Trustee |
– Growth Management – Change management |
In addition to meeting the criteria outlined above, consideration will also be given to whether applicants complement the existing board in terms of making sure that our settings’ communities are represented.
Time commitment
Approximately three hours per half term; meetings are usually held face to face in the day time.
About The Societas Trust
The Societas Trust is unique, formed in 2015 and incorporated in February 2016. It is the result of the voluntary collaboration between the headteachers and governing boards of a group of primary academies who share a belief that the needs of children are best met when schools and teachers collaborate and cooperate and are able to maintain close links with the communities they serve.
Whilst it is crucial for us to support the development of the unique identity of each school in the partnership, we also believe that by developing and promoting innovative and creative approaches to learning and teaching across the trust, we will ensure that our children have the very best opportunities to excel academically and develop socially.
We believe that children learn best and thrive in environments that promote and foster self-belief, the love of learning, and high expectations of themselves and others.
Our partnership working has evolved over the last ten years. The formation of Societas in 2015 was a natural progression, supported by the appropriate political climate, to create a Trust of like-minded settings. This model has helped us to maintain our self-sustaining, school improvement work. We firmly believe that this “association of like-minded people bound by a common purpose, this “platoon of idealistic people”, is at the heart of successful school systems and is the very foundation stone of The Societas Trust.
Background on academy trusts
Academy schools, which are charities run independently of local authority control, now account for 69% of secondary schools and 33% of primaries – and their number is growing all the time.
Many of these schools are grouped together as multi-academy trusts (MATs). There are currently 900 multi academy trusts of 3+ schools. If the schools are to fulfil their potential, the trusts need non-executives (known in charity law as trustees) to bring a wide range of skills and experience to help guide strategy, ensure their ambitions can be soundly financed and keep their schools up to the mark delivering for their pupils.
“Boards must be ambitious for all children and young people and infused with a passion for education and a commitment to continuous school improvement that enables the best possible outcomes. Governance must be grounded in reality as defined by both high-quality objective data and a full understanding of the views and needs of pupils/students, staff, parents, carers and local communities. It should be driven by inquisitive, independent minds and through conversations focused on the key strategic issues which are conducted with humility, good judgement, resilience and determination.”
Source: Governance Handbook, Department for Education (2019)
Trusteeship is a voluntary, unpaid role for people who have the energy and skills to make a real contribution to shaping the future of our schools. You do not need to have any specialist knowledge of education.
Applications
If you are interested in applying for the role please send your CV and a short expression of interest to enquiries@societastrust.org.uk
Please note: candidates should live within reasonable travelling distance of the trust and/or have a link with the region. For more information, please visit www.societastrust.org.uk
Key dates
We strongly recommend applying as early as you can to have the best possible chance of being considered as we may change the closing date if we have received sufficient applications. Applicants should be aware of the following key dates in the recruitment process –
Deadline for applications:
Friday 18 February 2022