About the Trust
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.
All except one of GHAT's primary schools are officially graded Good or better by Ofsted, and the trust continues to work with all its schools to retain those assessments at the next visits.
GHAT has a well‑established School Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT) centre that trains primary and secondary teachers, some of whom join the trust's schools and others who move to other schools in the region. The trust also has Research School status, involving about 30 schools that focus on cutting‑edge research and practice in the teaching of literacy, reading and curriculum development.
Role Overview
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 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.
Typical meeting schedule: 4 full board meetings per year (Oct, Dec, Mar, Jul) on Mondays at 5.10 pm, lasting around 90 minutes. Volunteers are expected to give up to 8 hours per month of their time and attend up to 6 meetings over a 12‑month period, alongside any additional school visits required by the role.
Key Functions
* Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
* Holding executive leaders to account for the educational performance of the organisation and its pupils, and for 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
Qualifications
One appointee: expertise in finance, audit or risk (accountancy skills beneficial but not essential).
Second appointee: skills connected to HR, people and/or estates.
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 will 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.
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