About the trust

A multi-academy trust (MAT) comprising seven schools in Stoke-on-Trent, Orchard Community Trust is situated in an area of high deprivation, with a large percentage of its children in receipt of Free School Meals (FSM).

The trust includes five primary schools, of which two are predominantly white British low income areas and three are predominantly BAME in demographic make-up, with high levels of pupils with English as an Additional Language (EAL). Additionally, there are significant numbers of SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disability) pupils.

The trust additional has two all-age special schools with wide range of SEND, including Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities (PMLD) and one associate special school with a focus on SEMH (social, emotional and mental health). The trust has a budget of approximately £15mn/pa, c.2,400 pupils on roll and 450 staff.

Trustee/Non-Executive Director

Trustees – or non-executive directors - are both charity trustees and company directors of the academy trust. The core functions of their role are: ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction; holding executive leaders to account for the educational and financial performance of a charitable company funded by the public purse.

The board of trustees manages the business of the academy trust and may exercise all the powers of the trust in compliance with its charitable objects, company and charity law.

Non-executive directors will be responsible for maintaining stability and the management of a dynamic structure. The role also includes contributing to financial planning for sustainability and potential growth, and holding the CEO/CFO to account.

In the interests of safeguarding, all trustee appointments would be subject to an enhanced disclosure and barring service check.

Person specification

Every trustee is expected to abide by the trust’s code of conduct and the seven principles of public life set out by Lord Nolan: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.

The Competency Framework for Governance (DfE) 2017 details the knowledge, skills and behaviours required for effective governance: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/583733/Competency_framework_for_governance_.pdf

The strategic expertise required for this role includes:

Essential

• CFO/ Finance
• Risk

Desirable

• Non-executive/ Trustee
• Stakeholder management
• Corporate Governance
• CEO/General Management

The successful applicant is expected to contribute to trust-wide board strategy, culture and scrutiny and to take on a sub-committee role within the audit & resources sub-committee, with particular focus on

financial risks. The candidate will also act as a trustee link with approximately two of the trust’s members schools.

In terms of skills requirements, the trust seeks an individual with experience at senior level working in school finance or public sector finance.

Time commitment

Two hours /month minimum (meeting time) plus additional time for preparation, school visits and sub-committee attendance.