Established in 2013, the Campfire Education Trust (CET) comprises six primary schools across Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire and Milton Keynes: Bourton Meadow Academy, George Grenville Academy, Lace Hill Academy, Spring Lane Primary School, Lumbertubs Primary School and Moorland Primary School. The Trust has an income of c. £13m per year.

CET’s aim is to establish a dynamic, professional learning community so that it can support and challenge its schools to provide the best education for all of its pupils. The Trust’s mindset is underpinned by a collective responsibility to share its expertise, join-up its work and be a part of something bigger, with the understanding that it can only succeed if everyone succeeds. CET is ambitious and has high expectations for the development of every pupil, taking a holistic approach to their education. In practice, this means providing equity of opportunity for all pupils regardless of their starting points. By removing barriers, accelerating progress and developing the whole child through its wider curriculum, CET ensures that pupils are ready both academically and socially for the next stage of their education. Each CET school has its own distinctive character, curriculum and identity in order to meet the local needs of its pupils and communities.

This is an exciting time to be joining CET. As it prepares to go through a period of measured growth, the Trust's highly capable leadership team is focused on strengthening its core infrastructure to ensure this growth is built upon a secure foundation. In providing support, guidance and challenge to the executive, the Board of Trustees will play a critical role in ensuring CET continues to deliver for the communities it serves.

Trustees are responsible for governing a charitable company and directing how it is managed and run. Trustees must also ensure that the trust complies with all legal and statutory requirements. Trustees should seek the advice of the Board’s governance professional and other professional advice as appropriate.

The Trust Board works closely with their senior executive leaders. Senior executive leaders are responsible for the day-to-day operational management of the Trust and its schools, whereas the role of the Board is strategic. As such, Trustees are responsible for:

• Determining the mission, values and long-term ambitious vision for the Trust
• Deciding the principles that guide trust policies and approving key policies
• Appointing and appraising the senior executive leader and making pay recommendations
• Working with senior leaders to develop a strategy for achieving the vision
• Ensuring that stakeholders are involved, consulted and informed as appropriate
• Ensuring that all schools in the trust deliver a broad and balanced curriculum so that pupils are well-prepared for the next stage of their education and adult life
• Taking ownership of the Trust’s financial sustainability and ensuring effective resource management across the trust
• Agreeing on the Trust’s staffing structure and keeping it under review to ensure it supports the delivery of the strategy
• Ensuring robust risk management policy and procedures are in place and that risk control measures are appropriate and effective

Strategic Leadership

The ideal candidate will have had a successful career as an entrepreneur, CEO or senior leader of an organisation. Candidates will ideally have overseen business transformation and growth, and will be able to bring their broad people leadership and management skills to help guide the strategy and development of the Trust. Prior board experience is not required.

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Finance

The ideal candidate will have a strong professional background in financial leadership, gained in any sector, with substantial experience in strategic finance, funding and financial risk management. The Board is interested in considering people from a range of backgrounds, including those who have worked in professional services as, for example, Audit Partners, as well as those who have led functional finance teams within large, complex organisations. Candidates are not expected to have worked in the charity or education sectors, and the Board is open to first-time non-executives. 

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Above all, the new Trustees will be passionate about CET's mission to ensure that all pupils, regardless of their backgrounds or starting points, can access a high quality, enriched educational offer which leads to strong outcomes.

A list of current Trustees can be found here.   

There are six Board meetings per year, plus three to four Committee meetings and a strategy day. Board and Committee meetings will be virtual, but the strategy day will be in person. The appointment is for a renewable four-year term. The role is unremunerated but reasonable, pre-agreed expenses will be reimbursed.

Candidates will be UK-based, however since meetings are conducted virtually there is no need for candidates to live locally to the Trust's schools.

CET 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.