Formed in 2017, Oak Trees Multi Academy Trust (Oak Trees) grew out of a longstanding collaborative relationships of four Wirral schools. Oak Trees' initial mission was simple: to improve the life chances of children across Wirral whilst retaining the uniqueness of each of the Trust's individual schools. After over four years, the Trust has grown to seven academies which all have their own individuality, united by a set of core values.

Great strides have been made since the Trust's founding and it has become the strong and effective MAT known throughout the community today. In the areas of leadership, finance, governance, curriculum, workload and professional development in particular, Oak Trees has made tremendous progress in securing the good practice necessary for a successful Multi Academy Trust. Much is still to be achieved over the next few years: the Trust's key aim for the next three years is to become a beacon of excellence in the education sector and a model of best practice, with high performing academies across the Trust. Oak Trees' key way of doing this is through strong collaboration, personalised approaches and positive relationships.

Oak Trees is well on its way towards its aim to provide educational excellence across the board. Each school is on its own improvement journey, and all seven of the Trust's academies are rated either 'Good' or 'Outstanding' by Ofsted. The Trust's academic performance is improving as a result, with results 6% above the national average across the MAT in 2022. Looking to the future, the Trust is confident in its ambitions for growth. With six schools possibly joining the Trust over the next twelve months (including one secondary), Oak Trees could be providing its high-class education to over 7000 children by 2024.

Oak Trees is governed by a Board of Trustees whose prime responsibility is to ensure that all of its schools provide the best education for its pupils. The Board has a duty to ensure its charitable objectives are adhered to. It comprises a group of people who voluntarily contribute a varied and differing range of experiences and skills applicable to the functions of the Trust.

Trustees focus on the three core functions of governance:

1. Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
2. Holding executive leaders to account
3. Overseeing and ensuring effective educational and financial performance

As the Trust looks towards the next 12 months of growth, it seeks two new Trustees: one to chair the Finance Committee, and one to chair the Audit and Risk Committee.

Chair of Finance Committee: The successful candidate will bring strong, strategic-level experience in financial management. They will be a qualified accountant, and will likely hold (or have held) a financial leadership position in a mid-large size organisation as a CFO, Finance Director or COO. This candidate could have gained their experience in a number of different sectors, but the Trust are particularly interested in hearing from applicants who have worked in the public sector, the education sector, and the commercial sector.

Chair of Audit Committee: The successful candidates will bring strong financial acumen and have worked in a senior level finance role or within an Audit Practice or Audit Firm.  This candidate could have gained their experience in a number of different sectors, but the Trust is particularly interested in hearing from those who have worked within the finance function of a successful organisation, or have worked in a professional services environment.

The Trust is open to applications from candidates with a range of general and financial leadership positions, so long as they come from an accounting or audit and risk background, and are financially qualified. Prior board experience is not a requirement for the role, but would be beneficial. Above all, candidates will be passionate about education and making a difference to children's lives in Wirral.

You can read more about the Board of Trustees here.

There are six Board meetings per year, which take place in person at 5:15pm on weekday evenings, and tend to last 90 minutes. In addition, the successful candidate will be expected to Chair either the Finance or Audit Committee: the Finance Committee meets five or six times per year; the Audit Committee meets three or four times per year. There is also an annual strategy away day. Occasional visits to the Trust's academies are also encouraged to better understand its work.

This role is unremunerated, but travel expenses will be paid. This role is for an initial term of four years, which can be renewed at the discretion of the Board.

As some in-person attendance is expected, candidates will either be local to the North West of England, or be willing to travel. 

Oak Trees welcomes applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability. It is committed to equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practices and it positively encourages applications from all sectors of the community. As women and people from ethnic minority backgrounds are currently under-represented on the Board, applications from those candidates would be particularly encouraged. All appointments will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process.