Aldridge Education is a national multi-academy trust consisting of eight schools and an adult education provider. Established by Sir Rod Aldridge, who founded Capita Group and transformed it from a start-up to a FTSE 100 company, Aldridge Education's ambition is to provide young people from disadvantaged communities with a high quality of education. In particular, it recognises the value which enterprising attributes and entrepreneurial instincts can add in supporting academic performance and preparing young people for employment and better life chances.

The Trust is passionate about serving local communities and transforming lives through entrepreneurial education. It is distinctive for its educational breadth and geographic range with schools spanning across Brighton, London, Darwen, and Salford.

Darwen Aldridge Enterprise Studio - an Aldridge Education school - is a mixed studio school catering for over 350 students across years 10 - 13. The School offers GCSE and A Levels focussing on creative and digital skills, health and childcare, and business related subjects, giving students exposure to both practical workplace skills as well as traditional academic and vocational areas of study. The School was established in 2013 and received a 'Good' judgement in its latest Ofsted inspection. Outcomes at the School are strong and on a positive trajectory: in 2022 100% of students passed their A Levels, with 82% achieving A* - C grades.  

Darwen Aldridge Enterprise Studio will be further enhanced by being part of a new Darwen-wide Aldridge sixth form from September 2024. The School leadership and Board will be key in supporting a cohesive structure for this sixth form which links the three Darwen Aldridge schools together.

The Chair will work closely with Darwen Aldridge Enterprise Studio's Principal to promote and maintain high standards of educational achievement by offering support, challenge and encouragement. 

The Chair will provide the Local Governing Committee with a clear lead and direction for the Governors, taking responsibility for the delegation of tasks, and continuing to build and develop a strong and committed team of Governors. These responsibilities include:

• Overseeing governance of school procedures, metrics, performance, attendance and risk management
• Stakeholder engagement including hearing from parents, students and staff and ensuring the School is responding to their needs and engaging with the local community and supporting the School with development of reciprocal partnerships
• Acting as an ambassador for Darwen Aldridge Enterprise Studio in the local area
• Scrutinising the planning and implementation of Darwen Aldridge Enterprise Studio's continual improvement and development work and monitoring expenditures against the academy budget, thus holding the School’s leadership to account. 

The relationship between the Aldridge Education Trust Board, the Executive Team and the Local Governing Committees is characterised as a partnership to achieve the Trust's vision.

Aldridge Education seeks a committed new Chair for the Governing Committee of Darwen Aldridge Enterprise Studio. The successful candidate will provide authentic, ambitious and effective leadership to the Governing Committee as it supports, guides and challenges to the School's executive team.

The Trust is open to candidates with a range of different backgrounds. The role would suit someone who has operated at a strategic-level in their executive career, who understands the difference between governance and management, and has the interpersonal skills and confidence required to provide authentic and inspirational leadership to a group of committed volunteers. Previous Chair or Governor experience is welcome, but not essential, and candidates need not have any exposure to the education sector.  

Aldridge Education is passionate about serving the communities in which it operates and the Chair will play a key role in engaging with Darwen Aldridge Enterprise Studio's external stakeholders including local businesses, local authorities, neighbouring schools and the Aldridge Education multi-academy trust board. The Trust is also proud of its commitment to student development through entrepreneurship and extra-curricular enrichment. The new Chair should be passionate about these initiatives and support and challenge the executive to drive improvements in these areas. 

The successful candidate will have sound judgement, strong communication skills and a willingness to commit the required time and effort. They must have high levels of integrity and offer both challenge and support to the executive team and governing committee. A passion for Aldridge Education’s vision and mission is a critical attribute. 

The Local Governing Council will comprise nine individuals: five Trust Governors (including the Chair), the Principal, two parent Governors and one Staff governor.

More information on governance at the School can be found here. 

This role is unremunerated, and reasonable, pre-agreed domestic travel expenses will be reimbursed. There are six meetings of the Governing Council per year, each of which takes place in-person at the School, plus stakeholder engagement and meetings with the Principal and with the Aldridge Education Trust. The appointment is for a four-year term, which can be renewed once at the discretion of the Board.

Candidates will be UK-based and able to attend in-person meetings in Darwen, Lancashire.

Darwen Aldridge Enterprise Studio welcomes applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability. All appointments will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process. In line with the Equality Act 2010, however, the organisation may employ positive action where candidates from underrepresented groups can demonstrate their ability to perform the role equally well.