As academy trusts evolve, they require more oversight from skilled business leaders and professionals amongst their boards. Professionals who lend their expertise in a volunteering capacity report greater personal reward, which extends to their own careers. Now is the perfect time to support schools and their pupils, as they navigate new challenges. Epping Forest Schools Partnership Trust seeks two trustees to join its board.

The Academy Ambassadors programme brings the expertise of the business world onto boards at single-academy and multi-academy trusts (SATs and MATs). Academy trusts exist to improve the outcomes of young people; at the highest levels of governance, they need highly skilled individuals with a variety of experiences to hold executive leadership teams to account. Insights from a wide-range of backgrounds ensure that boards are able to make informed choices on decisions that impact the lives of children and staff.

The Academy Ambassadors Programme is funded by the Department for Education, to match senior business leaders with academy trusts looking to strengthen their boards. By working together, inspirational educationalists and talented business leaders can provide a better future for the next generation.

The opportunity

Epping Forest Schools Partnership was constituted in 2018, and emerged from a local partnership of schools who had been working together for the previous twenty years. The trust comprises of 16 academies (infant, junior and primary schools as well as one special school) and supports 4,000 pupils, employs c. 1.000 staff and has an approximate budget of £28million.

The board seeks two business leaders with board level experience in

* human resources or
* financial management and change management

As a key member of the board you will support the trust in achieving the following over the next 12 - 24 months:

1 Managing the trust's finances across a range of schools varying in size from 65-570 students, and with varying ages of buildings
2 Strategic succession planning
3 Ensuring strong education outcomes for all pupils within the trust, and being prepared for any upcoming school inspections by Ofsted.

What's involved?

Board governance in education is a strategic, 'eyes on, hands off' commitment which typically involves attending c. sixteen board meetings per year/6 hours' time per month.

You will be responsible for:

* Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
* Holding executive leaders to account for the educational performance of the organisation and its pupils, and the effective and efficient performance management of staff; and
* Overseeing the financial performance of the organisation and making sure its money is well spent

As an Academy Ambassador, you will join our ambassador network which provides resources, guidance, networking events and webinars to support you in your role.

All roles are pro bono.

People from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

What next?

Please register your interest now to be considered for the role.

When you select the option to Apply you will be redirected to the Academy Ambassadors webpage where you will find a full role specification with more details of the opportunity and the trust, including details of how to apply for the position.

Please be aware the closing date may change if we have received sufficient applications.