The Marches Academy Trust (MAT) was one of the earliest academy trusts established in the Shropshire area and has grown significantly over the past 14 years. The trust now comprises 18 schools: five secondary schools, twelve primary schools, and one 9–16 special school, serving a wide range of communities including small rural settings where schools play a vital role at the heart of local life. Four primary schools joined the trust most recently in December 2025, reflecting a period of rapid but carefully managed growth.
The trust operates as a Mixed Multi‑Academy Trust, including both secular schools and Church of England schools, with formal links to the Diocese of Lichfield. The four most recent schools to join the trust are all Church of England schools. Representation from the Diocese sits on the Trust Board in line with the trust’s Mixed MAT arrangements. Trustees are not expected to be practising members of the Church of England, but they are expected to uphold and champion the trust’s vision and ethos: Achievement through caring and Inspiring potential.
Marches Academy Trust has a strong track record of securing improvement. This is particularly evident at Woodlands School, the trust’s 9–16 special school for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs. Previously judged inadequate prior to joining the trust, its most recent inspection (March 2024) confirmed significant improvement, with all areas judged good except the quality of education, which continues to improve. The provision is well supported by the local authority and serves pupils from both within and beyond the trust.
Beyond its core educational provision, the trust delivers a range of central and traded services, including IT and aspects of SEND support, to schools outside the trust. It also operates its own Teaching School, supporting professional development across the region, and works closely with its linked charity, the 4 All Foundation, which provides community‑based activities such as sport and family learning through local hubs.
The trust is financially well governed, having recently received a clean external audit. The audit report will be shared with the full board ahead of submission to Companies House. Governance arrangements are well established: the trust has nine trustees, supported by a dedicated Trust Governance Professional, and all schools operate with local governing boards under a clear scheme of delegation. An External Review of Governance was completed in 2023 and all recommendations have been fully implemented, with reviews commissioned on a three‑year cycle.
The Trust are seeking to build board capacity and support succession planning, as some existing trustees approach the end of their terms of office. The trust is keen to appoint new trustees who can bring fresh perspective, robust challenge, and strategic insight as the trust continues to grow and expand its influence across the region.
The Trust’s Requirements: The Marches Academy Trust is seeking to appoint up to four new Trustees with one or more of the following areas of expertise. Trustees will work collectively to provide strategic oversight, constructive challenge, and support to the executive leadership team.
Finance and Business: The trust is seeking trustees with strong finance or commercial experience. While formal accountancy qualifications are not essential, candidates should be confident reading and interpreting company accounts and providing challenge on strategic financial planning, budget monitoring, and value for money. Successful candidates are likely to have overseen annual budgets of at least £50m, ideally within a growing or complex organisation. Experience of supporting organisational growth, developing traded services, or operating within financial constraint would be particularly valuable. These trustees are likely to add capacity to the Finance & Operations Committee.
Time Commitment and Meetings: Trustees are typically expected to commit 6–8 hours per month, including preparation and reading, which can be undertaken flexibly.
The Trust Board meets six times per year (October, November, February, March, May and July), with an additional annual strategy meeting.
Board meetings are usually held on Monday mornings, starting at 9.30am, and last approximately 90 minutes.
The trust operates three core committees: Finance & Operations, Audit & Risk, and Education Standards, each meeting once per half term.
Finance & Operations and Education Standards meetings are held on Mondays at 9.30am; Audit & Risk meetings follow from 11.00am to 12.00pm.
Meetings are primarily face‑to‑face at the trust’s headquarters at The Grange Primary School, Shrewsbury (SY1 3QR), though hybrid attendance is available where necessary. Trustees are expected to attend at least half of meetings in person.
This is an excellent opportunity to join a well‑established, ambitious and values‑led trust with a strong local reputation and deep‑rooted partnerships across the region. As the trust continues to scale its impact, expand traded services, and explore further opportunities to support small schools and specialist provision, new trustees will play a critical role in shaping its future direction.
Skills
* Finance
* Type of establishment: Multi‑academy trust
What does the role include?
As a trustee/director your key responsibilities are to ensure clarity of vision, ethos, and strategic direction; to hold executive leaders to account – both for the educational performance of the organisation and its pupils and the effective and efficient performance management of staff; and to oversee the organisation’s financial performance to ensure its funds are directed to the best possible educational outcomes for young people. By volunteering as a trustee/director 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.
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://www.get-information-schools.service.gov.uk/Search?SelectedTab=Groups. Marches Academy Trust reference number is 3855. The following webpage also provides 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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