Join to apply for the Governor / Trustee role at Mary Hare
Mary Hare is the UK’s largest school for deaf children, providing specialist education for pupils aged 5–19. As a non‑maintained special school, it combines high academic standards with tailored support to meet the unique needs of deaf learners. The school educates up to 200 profoundly deaf children at its residential setting in Berkshire and we pride ourselves on our pupils’ achievements at GCSE, A Level as well as BTEC and Vocational Courses. We follow an auditory/oral philosophy, teaching highly motivated children in small classes.
Mary Hare School’s mission is to empower young people to achieve their full potential through exceptional teaching, specialist resources, and a vibrant community that values inclusion and independence.
The organisation owns substantial real estate with extensive premises in Newbury, including a 124‑acre site near Snelsmore Common comprising Arlington Manor, secondary and primary schools, numerous residential buildings, an arts centre, swimming pool, outbuildings, and extensive woodland grounds.
Purpose of the role
To provide strategic leadership, governance, and oversight for Mary Hare, ensuring compliance with charity law and education regulations. Governors/Trustees safeguard the school’s mission, uphold high standards of education and care for pupils with complex needs, and ensure financial sustainability.
Key Responsibilities
* Governance and Compliance: Ensure adherence to the Memorandum and Articles, charity and company law, education, SEND and residential care legislation or regulation.
* Strategic Leadership: Contribute actively to the Board’s role in giving strategic leadership and direction; set overall policy, develop the long‑term strategic plan, define organisational goals and targets while balancing operational and funding constraints; monitor and evaluate performance against objectives.
* Educational Oversight: Ensure high‑quality education is provided through the national curriculum and a vocational offer, tailored for our deaf pupils some with additional and complex needs; oversee safeguarding and ensure high‑quality residential care.
* Financial Oversight: Approve budgets and long‑term financial plans, ensuring financial sustainability; regularly monitor financial performance against budgets, forecasts and objectives.
* Risk and Assurance: Oversee organisation‑wide risk management, identify and manage strategic risks through regular reviews of the risk register; ensure adequate risk and compliance systems are in place and reviewed to protect pupils, staff, assets and reputation.
* Advocacy and Ambassadorship: Actively promote Mary Hare’s mission and values, support stakeholder engagement and fundraising.
Person Specification
* The ability to articulate Mary Hare’s values, vision and mission and have a strong commitment to these.
* The ability to act with integrity and in the best interests of Mary Hare.
* A willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to attend Board and Committee meetings, undertake necessary preparation ahead of meetings and attend Governor/Trustee school visits between meetings.
* The ability to apply strategic vision to see the ‘big picture’ issues while understanding that operational decisions are the responsibility of the Executive and Leadership Teams.
* The ability to think critically, apply logic and reason to debate, appreciate alternative views, consider implications, and be flexible in approach.
* Good, independent judgement with the ability to come to a decision based on your own evidence and experience, as well as considering the opinions of others.
* Willingness to speak their mind, offer scrutiny, challenge, and support and make an active contribution to Board and Committee meetings.
* An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities, and liabilities of trusteeship, governorship and directorship.
* An ability to work effectively as a member of a team, working constructively with colleagues even where there are differing viewpoints or competing agendas.
Desirable experience/knowledge/skills
* Experience in education, SEND provision, health/social care.
* Experience/knowledge of charity and/or school governance.
* Knowledge of safeguarding and regulatory frameworks.
* Financial, legal, or HR expertise.
About our Application Process
Applicants should note that Mary Hare adheres to Safer Recruitment Standards and all applications must be made via the Mary Hare website using the Mary Hare Application Form. Applications will only be considered via a completed Application Form; CVs cannot be accepted.
To find out more, please click on the ‘Apply’ link above to be taken to our application page where you can also find the Job Description and the Mary Hare Governor / Trustee Application Form.
Information about our timeline
Completed application forms should be sent by the closing date of 4th January 2026.
Interviews will be held week commencing 12th January and 19th January 2026.
Start date for the post will be from March 2026.
Contact Information
Please contact Amanda Checksfield, Clerk to the Trustees, at companysecretary@maryhare.org.uk for any enquiries. Address: Mary Hare | Arlington Manor | Snelsmore Common | Newbury | Berkshire | RG14 3BQ.
Equal Opportunities Statement
This School is committed to safeguarding children and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. All shortlisted candidates will be asked to complete a criminal records self‑disclosure form and successful candidates will be subject to Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks along with other relevant employment checks. We are committed to securing genuine equality of opportunity in all aspects of our activities as an employer and education provider. The role you are applying for is ‘exempt’ from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
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