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Join the Board of Trustees at Shaw Education Trust
Help Shape the Future. Empower Thousands. Drive Real Change.
Shaw Education Trust (SET) is entering a bold new chapter — and you could be at the heart of it.
With 32 academies across the Midlands and North West, over 12,500 learners, and a decade of ambitious growth, we are a mission-driven Trust committed to one powerful belief: every child deserves the opportunity to be exceptional, whatever their starting point.
As we refresh our vision and set a dynamic course for the years ahead, we are searching for two inspirational trustees to join our forward-thinking Board:
Education Trustee
Are you a leader in primary or special education?
Do you bring deep expertise in curriculum, pedagogy, improvement or system leadership?
This is your opportunity to use your insight to influence educational excellence at scale — shaping strategy, championing inclusion, supporting leaders, and ensuring thousands of children receive the high-quality education they deserve.
Charity Management / Fundraising Trustee
Do you a specialist in charity leadership, philanthropy or income generation?
Do you excel at building partnerships, diversifying funding and driving social impact?
Join us in strengthening SET’s reach, resilience and influence — unlocking new opportunities for learners, especially in communities where disadvantage remains deeply felt.
What We’re Looking For
Education Trustee
1. Senior-level experience in education (e.g., headteacher, executive leader, Ofsted, system leadership, academic)
2. Strong grasp of curriculum, teaching, learning, inclusion and improvement
3. Insight into primary and/or special school contexts
4. Strategic mindset and the confidence to challenge and support at Board level
Charity Management / Fundraising Trustee
5. Senior experience in charity, not-for-profit, philanthropy or income generation
6. Track record in fundraising, partnerships or major giving
7. Strong understanding of governance, ethical fundraising and stakeholder engagement
8. Strategic leadership skills and the ability to shape long-term impact
The Commitment
9. Voluntary role with reasonable expenses reimbursed
10. Four-year term (renewable)
11. Around 10–12 days per year
12. Five in-person Board meetings annually (Midlands/North West)
13. Five online committee meetings annually
14. Comprehensive induction and ongoing training
Be part of something exceptional
Ready to Make a Difference?
If you are driven by purpose, inspired by challenge, and passionate about transforming lives through learning, we want to hear from you.
📩 To apply, please send:
Your CV and a cover letter (max two pages) outlining how your experience and values align with our mission
For questions or an informal conversation, contact Beth Barlow, Director of Governance (See pack for details)
Shaw Education Trust is proud to be an Equal Opportunities employer. We are committed to building a diverse Board that reflects and champions the communities we serve and all roles are subject to safer recruitment checks.
Safeguarding Statement
Shaw Education Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment, click here to review Safeguarding and Pupil Protection Policy https://www.shaw-education.org.uk/our-trust/key-information
This position is subject to robust vetting procedures, including an online search for all shortlisted candidates, in line with our Trust’s commitment to safer recruitment.
An enhanced criminal record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), formerly known as the CRB, is required. You will be asked to disclose all relevant unspent and, where applicable, unfiltered spent reprimands, formal warnings, cautions, and convictions.
Shaw Education Trust is an Equal Opportunities employer. We are fully committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection processes promote equality, diversity, and inclusion at every stage.
In accordance with our safer recruitment policy CVs alone will not be accepted.
We reserve the right to appoint before the closing date as we review applications on an on-going basis and interviews may be arranged as suitable candidates are identified, therefore, we encourage early applications.
Successful candidates will be subject to a fully Enhanced DBS check along with other relevant employment checks.