Odyssey Collaborative Trust (OCT) is a seven-school primary- and junior-only trust centred in Derby (DE21 7PH) and with schools varying in size from 220 to 600 pupils. All schools are in Derby city and while there are low levels of pupils from minority ethnic backgrounds, there is a high level of disadvantage across the communities served by OCT. Two of the trust’s schools have units for pupils with high levels of Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND). Two of the schools received ‘Requires Improvement’ in their prior Ofsted inspections and focus lies on ensuring improvement at the next inspections. The trust supports 2,260 learners in total with 330 staff and an annual grant income from the DfE of c.£17m. The Board is hoping to recruit skills in education (primary/KS2), technical HR and those with strong executive leadership expertise to bring challenge in a ‘generalist’ capacity. All trustees are expected to also join one committee alongside the main board. While there’s a preference for in‑person meetings at the trust HQ, remote attendance is possible.
Skills
* Education/Teaching
* Strategic Leadership
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/17193. 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.
#J-18808-Ljbffr