Great Schools Trust (GST) is a family of non-selective state schools serving children primarily across the Northwest of England. Its mission is to challenge educational and social disadvantage by serving as a catalyst for social and geographic mobility, so that each of its students has opportunity and choice over their future destination. Working in under-served communities, it aims to offer the same quality of education as one would find in the independent sector, but without the fees. With five schools currently - in Liverpool, Warrington and Bolton - and an income of £20m, Great Schools Trust has ambitious plans to bring its successful model to even more communities in the years ahead.

GST started life with just one school, King’s Leadership Academy Warrington, which is a mainstream secondary free school. There are now King's Leadership Academies in Bolton, Hawthorne and Liverpool, plus an alternative provision school in Liverpool known as Aspire. Over the years, the Trust has developed its own distinctive educational model, which prioritises character education and the development of leadership skills. Each school holds a number of core beliefs which are central to its practice, including that all students must learn to be resilient on their educational journey, becoming confident contributing citizens, able to develop a passion for both learning and character development. King’s Leadership Academy Warrington became the National School of Character in 2015 and is recognised globally as a leader in the field.

As it looks to the future, GST intends to expand its reach. Aspire will move to its own site this September, which will give it the capacity to double its roll, and a new free school is due to open in September 2024. GST became a National Behaviour Hub in 2022 and is in discussions regarding future sponsorship of further academies.

The Board of Trustees has overall responsibility and ultimate decision-making authority for all the work of the Trust. They are responsible for governing the charitable company and directing how it is managed and run, ensuring that it complies with all legal and statutory requirements. The Board works closely with the Trust's senior executive leaders; however, while the senior executive leaders are responsible for day-to-day operational management of the Trust and its schools, the role of the Board is strategic.

The core functions of the Board of Trustees are as follows:

1. Ensuring that there is clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
2. Holding executive leaders to account for the educational performance of the organisation and its pupils and the performance management of staff
3. Overseeing the financial performance of the organisation and making sure its money is well spent
4. Ensuring that the voices of stakeholders are heard

Great Schools Trust is a seeking to appoint a number of Trustees to its Board and is particularly interested in individuals with senior, strategic-level experience in educational leadership, finance and risk.

Trustee (Education)

The ideal candidate will have operated at a senior, executive level within a successful multi-academy trust which has experienced growth. As Great Schools Trust looks to go on a similar journey of growth, it is hoped that this Trustee will be well positioned to provide effective and targeted support and challenge to the strategies proposed by the Trust's executive.

Trustee (Finance)

The successful candidate could come from a range of executive leadership backgrounds. They may be working within the finance function of a successful organisation, or they may be a consultant in a professional services environment. An accounting qualification is not required; experience in relevant financial leadership roles would be considered just as valuable. Exposure to public sector funding models is not required, either. The Board is keen to attract people from outside of the education sector, specifically the private sector, to bring their different perspective to bear. 

Trustee (Risk)

The Trust is looking to evolve and mature its approach to risk management. It seeks a Trustee who can help the organisation to establish its risk appetite, and to provide the necessary scrutiny to effectively mitigate financial, operational and reputational risk. The successful candidate will bring substantial strategic-level experience of risk identification, assessment and mitigation in complex organisations. They will be familiar with relevant legal and regulatory frameworks relating to risk and, while not essential, some exposure to the non-profit sector would be valuable. The Board is looking for individuals who bring fresh perspectives, and so experience in the education sector is not required but an appreciation for some of the challenges and opportunities facing the sector currently would be advantageous.  

Experience in the North West is not required but a passion for the Trust's mission of bringing a high quality education to deprived communities is essential. The Board welcomes first-time non-executives and is able to offer a thorough programme of onboarding and ongoing professional development to Trustees.

A full list of current Board members can be found here.

The main Board meets six times per year and all meetings take place online, on a Thursday, between 4-6pm. In addition, there is an annual strategy away day which takes place at one of the Trust's schools. This is currently the only meeting which Trustees must attend in person. The Board delegates some of its responsibilities to two Sub-Committees: Finance, Audit and Risk, and Performance and Remuneration, which meet six times per year. There may be opportunities for Trustees to take on additional responsibilities, such as being a 'Link Trustee' with responsibility for an area such a Safeguarding, SEND, Careers and Pupil Premium but this is not a requirement. Occasional visits to the Trust's schools are also encouraged to better understand its work. This role is unremunerated, but travel expenses are paid whilst dealing with trust business.

In the interests of safeguarding and in accordance with Department for Education requirements, the role will be subject to an enhanced disclosure and barring service check.

All meetings take place online, except for the annual strategy away day which is hosted by one of the Trust's schools in the North West. Trustees can therefore be based anywhere in the UK. 

In line with its commitment to diversity and inclusion, Great Schools Trust is looking to broaden the profile and experience of its Board so that it better reflects the communities which it serves. As such, women, those from ethnic minority backgrounds and those from underprivileged backgrounds are actively encouraged to apply, as well as those looking to take on their first non-executive role. All appointments will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process.