Join Salterns Academy Trust as a Trustee and help shape the future of education as the Trust continues to expand during this transformative phase.
* Location: Portsmouth
Who we are
Salterns Academy Trust is a flourishing community of three schools committed to providing exceptional education and opportunities for every young person in our care. The Trust oversees two secondary settings, Admiral Lord Nelson School and Trafalgar School, as well as Mayfield School, which is a through‑school serving pupils aged 4 to 16. Together, these schools form a close‑knit community that values inclusion, ambition, and continuous improvement.
Since our formation, the Trust has built a strong reputation for partnership working, effective leadership and steady school improvement. Each school retains its own identity while benefiting from the collective strength, shared expertise and resources of the wider Trust. The focus is firmly on delivering high‑quality teaching and learning, fostering aspiration and ensuring that all students are well‑prepared for the next stage of their education and beyond.
Underpinned by values of respect, responsibility and resilience, Salterns Academy Trust is forward‑looking and community‑minded, working closely with local partners and families to make a lasting, positive difference. The Trust benefits from an experienced and dedicated leadership team, continues to build on its successes and strives to provide the very best outcomes for children and young people across Portsmouth.
About the role
Trustees work collectively to provide strong governance, effective oversight and constructive challenge to the executive team.
You will use your professional expertise and strategic insight to help us maintain high standards of performance, financial sustainability and educational excellence as it continues to evolve and expand.
In this role, you will:
* Provide strategic oversight and governance as Salterns Academy Trust continues to develop into the primary education sector.
* Offer insights and guidance based on your experience to ensure the highest standards of teaching and learning.
* Support the development and implementation of policies that promote a nurturing and inclusive environment for primary school students.
* Collaborate with fellow trustees, the executive team and school leaders to drive continuous improvement and innovation.
* Champion the Trust’s vision, mission and values within the community and among stakeholders.
* Attend evening board meetings (up to 6 per year) and committee meetings (up to 6 a year), as well as occasionally undertake school visits and meetings with senior leaders in the Trust.
The time commitment for this role works out to be approximately eight hours per month.
Who we are looking for
We seek someone with the vision, integrity, and strategic insight to contribute to the continued success and growth of the Trust. The ideal candidate will bring professional expertise, sound judgment and a genuine commitment to improving outcomes for children and young people.
You do not need prior board experience; what matters most is the ability to think strategically, ask constructive questions and share your experience in a way that supports the Trust’s development.
We are particularly interested in candidates who can demonstrate:
* Strategic thinking skills with the ability to contribute to long‑term planning and development.
* Strong commitment to educational equity and a passion for making a positive impact on children’s lives.
* Excellent communication and teamwork skills, with the ability to engage effectively with a diverse group of stakeholders.
* Professional expertise in primary or secondary education. However, other relevant backgrounds will also be considered.
* Integrity, independence of thought and the confidence to both support and challenge constructively.
We warmly welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, regardless of race, gender, disability, age, religion, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic.
We are proud to champion equality, diversity and inclusion in all that we do. We encourage applications from a wide range of professional fields and backgrounds.
While being local to Portsmouth is not a requirement, an understanding of the local context would be advantageous.
This is an opportunity to apply your skills and experience to help shape the future of a forward‑looking, values‑driven Trust.
Peridot Partners and The Salterns Academy Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and our client expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references before any final offer can be made.
Accessibility information
The Trust recognises that equality of opportunity in recruitment and selection must be an integral part of good practice and therefore has an employment policy of equal opportunity in line with the Public Sector Equalities Duty and relevant equalities legislation and operates appropriate HR practices.
The Trust supports applications for employment from people with disabilities and makes necessary arrangements for facilities and additional support where possible in relation to recruitment and retention.
Our accessibility provisions include:
* Step‑free access to the building, all key meeting rooms and bathrooms, and an accessible workstation.
* Accessibility dogs are welcome.
* Interviews can be held in meeting rooms that support hearing loops.
* Papers and materials can be presented in different formats.
Applicants with a disability are invited to contact us in confidence at any point during the recruitment process to discuss steps that could be taken to overcome operational difficulties presented by the role, or if any adjustments or support are required regarding the recruitment process.
Contact
For further information about the role or to arrange a confidential discussion, please contact our advising consultant at Peridot Partners.
Thank you for your interest in joining the Board of The Salterns Academy Trust. This is an exciting and important moment in our journey as we continue to strengthen our governance, broaden our expertise and expand our impact for children and young people across Portsmouth.
Salterns Academy Trust is built on collaboration, ambition and care. Our three schools: Admiral Lord Nelson School, Trafalgar School and Mayfield School, form a family of inclusive, high‑performing communities. Each has its own character, but they are united by a shared purpose to provide exceptional education and opportunities for every student. Together, we have achieved significant progress in recent years and our focus is now on consolidating that success while embracing new opportunities, including the growth of our Trust in terms of both scale and breadth.
Trustees play a vital role in setting strategic direction, providing challenge and ensuring that our resources are used wisely so that our dedicated staff can support pupils to achieve their best possible outcomes.
We are now seeking to strengthen our Board with an additional Trustee who can bring fresh perspectives, professional expertise and a shared commitment to our values of respect, responsibility and resilience.
What matters most is your ability to think strategically, act collaboratively and bring insight, curiosity and challenge to the Board’s discussions.
Being a Trustee is both a privilege and a responsibility. It offers a genuine opportunity to make a lasting contribution to your community and to shape the educational landscape for generations to come. If you are motivated by the idea of helping young people thrive and want to work alongside a passionate and forward‑looking team, I would be delighted to hear from you.
Thank you once again for your interest in our Trust. I hope you will consider joining us as we continue to build on our strong foundations and deliver an outstanding education for all.
With best wishes,
Paul Hayes
Chair of the Board, The Salterns Academy Trust
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