CAN YOU HELP OUR TRUST?
Behind every multi academy trust sits a network of volunteers who make sure that it is well-managed and delivers the best possible education to all our children. As trustees, these volunteers provide support and challenge to the leadership team, in order to drive and support school improvement. Many trustees are not education professionals, but are drawn from parents and members of the local community. Every person brings different skills and life experiences, and we welcome volunteers from all backgrounds.
We are now looking for committed and enthusiastic people to join Excel Learning Trust as trustees. If you’re interested, we’d love to hear from you.
No previous experience of being a trustee is needed and training and support is provided to all new volunteers. Whilst these are unpaid volunteer positions, we can cover expenses to attend meetings and training, such as travel and childcare.
We’d love to hear from anyone that is interested in becoming a Trustee, and we are particularly interested to hear from individuals who have a background in educational leadership, and those who have backgrounds in HR, finance or communications.
Why become a volunteer?
Being a trustee is a great opportunity to contribute to improving education for children and young people in our area and there are also many benefits to being a volunteer. You will develop new skills, meet new people and connect with an extensive network of governors across the city. Trustees are involved in reviewing the finances, policies and performance of the Trust and our schools and you will develop your experience of reviewing strategy: all of these skills are highly valued in the workplace. And for those involved in education as parents or professionally, being a trustee offers an opportunity to gain a broader perspective on the issues schools are currently facing.
What roles are available?
We currently have vacancies on the Board of Trustees. We welcome applications from anybody who is interested in volunteering, but we are particularly interested in applications from those with experience in one or more of the following areas:
- Experience in education, particularly in a leadership role in either primary, secondary schools, or in a Trust leadership role.
- Experience in finance or accountancy in any commercial, charitable or educational context at a senior level
- Experience in communications, marketing, media or PR in any commercial, charitable or educational context at a senior level
- Experience in HR and/or organisational development in any commercial, charitable or educational context at a senior level
As a Trust we want to better reflect the communities we serve so we’re particularly keen to hear from potential Trustees who are Black, Asian or from a minority ethnic background, disabled, with long term health conditions, and/or LGBTQIA+, as these groups are currently underrepresented on our Board.
Support for disadvantaged pupils and those receiving pupil premium funding is a priority for the Trust and so we are also keen to increase the experience (both professional and lived experience) on the board of these areas, and younger trustees/ governors (under 35).
What do the Trustee roles involve?
Trustees work across the multi academy trust. They work with the Trust Executive Team to identify the strategic challenges across our schools and ensure that the right resources are in place to address them. They are ultimately responsible for all the schools in the Trust, including educational outcomes and financial performance.
Most importantly, we are looking for people with a range of skills and experiences who can contribute to leading our Trust, so no matter what your background, skills and experiences are, if you’re interested in becoming a Trustee then please do get in touch.
A little bit about Excel Learning Trust
There are seven schools within Excel Learning Trust, four primary, two secondary and an alternative provision school, all based in the wonderful city of York:
- Carr Junior School
- Knavesmire Primary School
- Scarcroft Primary School
- Woodthorpe Primary School
- Millthorpe School
- York High School
- Inspire Alternative Provision
We believe it is our responsibility and every child’s right to experience educational excellence every day. Colleagues from within our family of schools regularly collaborate and share best practice to ensure we are delivering the very best teaching and learning so that all our children can achieve the very best outcomes, both academically and in their personal development.
All schools within Excel Learning Trust are committed to our EPIC values of Excellence, People, Improvement and Community. You can find out more about our Trust and schools, and watch a short video about us, by visiting https://excellearningtrust.org.uk/
How to apply and find out more about the role?
If you’d like to find out more about the important role of Trustee, we’d love to hear from you. If you’re interested in a Trustee role, please do get in touch for an informal chat by emailing chair@elt.org.uk.
To apply, please contact the Trust’s Governance Adviser Sophie Triffitt on clerk@elt.org.uk. The application process involves completion of a short application form, an interview and relevant safeguarding checks, including an enhanced DBS check. The application deadline is Sunday 23 February 2025 and interviews are likely to take place in the week commencing 3 March 2025.
More information for applicants is available here.
The Trustee application form is available here.
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