Great Heights Academy Trust (GHAT) is an academy trust with an established and strong reputation in the West Yorkshire region, with a strong track record of school improvement and rich teacher training and development opportunities. The Board is seeking to recruit two individuals to add further capacity and replace a recent resignation. One of the appointees will possess expertise in finance, audit or risk; while it’s not essential to have accountancy skills, this may be beneficial. The second individual will possess skills connected to HR, people and/or estates.
All except one of GHAT's primary schools are officially graded Good or better by Ofsted although the trust is not complacent and continues to work with all its schools to retain ‘Good’ (or equivalent judgement under the new framework) assessments at the next visits.
The trust has one alternative provision (AP) unit which caters for 12 pupils excluded from other schools; the trust also has two schools which house pupils with medical needs. Some of these pupils have physical needs but other have challenges linked to social, emotional or mental health (SEMH) issues.
GHAT has a well established School Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT) centre which trains both primary and secondary teachers, some of which join the trust’s schools and some which move to other schools in the region. The trust also has Research School status which involves about 30 schools and looks at cutting edge research and practice in the teaching of literacy, reading and curriculum development.
Skills
* Finance
* Strategic Leadership
* Address: Riverside Mills, Saddleworth, Elland HX5 0RY
* Type of establishment: Multi-academy trust
* Usual start time of meeting: Typically 4x full Board meetings per year (Oct, Dec, Mar, Jul). Meetings are generally held on Mondays at 5.10pm and tend to last around 90 minutes.
What does the role include?
These roles have a dual function – as well as operating as a trustee of the academy trust as a charity, volunteers are classed as Non-Executive Directors, listed on Companies House and subject to company law. You’ll 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. Board governance in education is considered a strategic, 'eyes on, hands off' commitment, requiring that you give up to eight hours per month of your time – though this can vary depending on the opportunity – and attend up to six meetings across a 12-month period, alongside any additional school visits required by the role. The key functions of the board are:- Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction- Holding executive leaders to account – both for the educational performance of the organisation and its pupils and the effective and efficient performance management of staff- Overseeing the organisation’s financial performance and ensuring its funds are directed to the best possible educational outcomes for young people.
What are the benefits?
Volunteering on an academy trust board is a meaningful way to shape young people’s futures and strengthen education in your community. Trustees play a vital role in setting strategic direction and holding executive leaders to account — ensuring schools deliver the best outcomes. Alongside making a tangible impact, you’ll gain valuable experience in senior-level decision-making. This is a great opportunity to support your career development, build a non-executive portfolio, and give back to education.
Further information:
You can also find out more public information about the Trust on the Get Information About Schools Page https://get-information-schools.service.gov.uk/Groups/Group/Details/16954The following webpage also provide useful information and reading to any potential trustee:https://governorsforschools.org.uk/trs/resources-for-academy-trustees/If you have any questions before applying, please contact our Trustee Recruitment Team on trusteerecruitment@governorsforschools.org.uk
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