Aldridge Education is a multi-academy trust of entrepreneurial academy schools located in three clusters – London, Brighton and the North West. Launched in 2006, the trust now has nine schools, 725 staff and over 5,000 students. Established in 2006 by Sir Rod Aldridge, who founded Capita Group and transformed it from a start-up to a FTSE 100 company, its ambition is to provide young people from disadvantaged communities with a high quality of education. In particular, it recognises the importance of a holistic education and how the development of enterprising skills can support academic performance and better prepare young people for employment and later life.

The Trust is passionate about serving local communities and transforming lives through entrepreneurial education. It is distinctive for its educational breadth and geographic range with schools in the North-West of England as well as in Brighton and London.

It is also ambitious and seeks to grow, building an exemplary model which allows the Trust to be a leader of local education in each of its three geographies. It is an exciting time to join the Trust and with the appointment of a Chief Growth Officer, the Trust intends to take on new schools in the North-West and in London.

Aldridge Education is seeking a new Trustee/s to work with the executive team and help shape its organisational strategy and achieve its educational and charitable goals. The Trustee/s sought will join Aldridge’s high-calibre, engaged and collegial Board which is overseeing the Trust’s exciting trajectory. Informed by their expertise in education or children’s services, the Trustee/s will scrutinise educational outcomes at the Trust, providing challenge and advice to fellow Trustees and the executive team as appropriate.

Trustees are responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of Aldridge Education, its financial health, the development of its aims and objectives, and ensuring compliance with the Trust’s charitable objects and with company and charity law. Trustees will act as advocates for the Trust's work.

Trustees should be from, or have an understanding of, the North West of England, given that this is where the biggest cluster of the Trust's Schools is located.

Aldridge Education is interested in candidates who have operated at a senior level within either children’s services or education.

Children’s Services

The Trust is interested in applicants with a background in Children's Services as it looks to enhance the educational impact of its schools in disadvantaged areas. Candidates will have senior-level experience working within a children's services organisation, such as a local authority or a charity and be able to advise the Trust as it seeks to build relationships with families living in areas of disadvantage.

The successful candidates will have sound judgement, strong communication skills and a willingness to commit the required time and effort. They must have high levels of integrity, strong interpersonal skills and the ability to challenge and advise the governing board and executive appropriately. A passion for Aldridge Education’s vision and mission is a critical attribute.

Education

The Trust is interested in applicants who have strong experience at an executive and strategic level within the education sector. This could be as an exceptional leader in primary, SEN or further education as the Trust looks to expand its primary and further education offerings.

If the candidate has an FE background, the Trust is particularly interested in candidates who have experience with employer engagement schemes, or links with employers / employer networks who can support the Aldridge academies in building greater connectivity between schools and employers.

Aldridge has exciting growth plans and so candidates with experience leading growth in a MAT would be particularly welcomed. The successful candidate will be able to provide advice, guidance and appropriate challenge to the Chair, CEO and Trustees on best practice in teaching and learning, and raising educational outcomes.

The Board is particularly interested in potential candidates who are connected to the North West of England given this is an area of prospective growth for the Trust.

This role is unremunerated, and reasonable, pre-agreed domestic travel expenses will be reimbursed. There are five Board meetings annually. Trustees may also join Sub-Committees, which have an additional two to four meetings per year. These meetings are currently held virtually but the Trust hopes to move to a hybrid approach, where meetings will most frequently be held at the Trust's schools in the North West. The appointment is for a four-year term, which can be renewed once at the discretion of the Board.