Trustee recruitment

Trustees and Members have an important part to play in raising school standards. They provide strategic leadership and accountability for our Trust and in our schools. 

We recognise these individuals as being absolutely key to the effectiveness of our schools and the Trust as a whole. Time and time again Ofsted (the national inspection body for schools) has noted that the most effective schools demonstrate effective leadership and management - including by the Board of Trustees.

We are currently seeking a Trustee to join our Trust Board from January 2025. Find out more below: 
Read the Trustee role descriptionIf you would like to find out more or apply (by 6th December 2024), please contact Helen Morris, Chair of the Trust Board on chair@glatrust.org.uk

What's involved?

Members

Our Members are the equivalent to the shareholders of a company. They have ultimate control over the academy trust, with the ability to appoint some of the Trustees and the right to amend the Trust’s Articles of Association. Their key purpose is to hold the Board of Trustees to account and ensure that the Trust is well run and well managed. Members must meet annually although they may meet more frequently.

Trustees

The Board of Trustees are responsible for determining the overall strategic direction and development of the Trust. The core functions of their roles 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 Board of Trustees oversees the business of the Trust and may exercise all the powers of the Trust in compliance with its charitable objects, company and charity law. 

This is a position with a term of four years and involves meetings and visits which may take place during the day or early evening.

You may be entitled to time off work to perform governance duties. This may be on a paid or unpaid basis depending on your employer, who may welcome the new or existing skills that you will develop in undertaking this varied role.

Who can become a Trustee or Member?

 Almost anyone over 18 years of age can become a Member or Trustee. There are no particular qualifications or requirements, other than the ability to give time to the role and a capacity for working with other people.

What is important to the role is a specific working skill set relevant to the team (education, HR, data analysis, finance, project management) and the ability to give a time commitment to the position.

You will be required to undertake certain vetting checks (such as an enhanced DBS check) which need to take place before you can be appointed, in line with legislation to keep children safe in education.

Every Member and Trustee is expected to abide by the Trust’s Code of Conduct and the seven principles of public life set out by Lord Nolan: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.

The Governance Handbook for Academy Trusts details the knowledge, skills and behaviours required for effective governance. 

How do I get involved?

You may wish to discuss this further with our Chair of Trustees, they can be reached by contacting chair@glatrust.org.uk