The Active Learning Trust is a multi-academy trust responsible for the operation of 19 publicly-funded academies situated across Cambridgeshire and Suffolk. 14 of its schools are primaries, two are secondaries, one is an all-through school, and two are special academies. The Trust brings together experienced and successful practitioners who share a collective belief in the effectiveness of school improvement, the primacy of performance management and the potential of new technology to enhance learning. Headquartered in Chatteris in the Fenland district of Cambridgeshire, the Trust has an annual operating budget of around £80m.

Operating via three regional hubs - Cambridgeshire, Ipswich and North Suffolk - the Trust is driven by a strong moral purpose: to enable schools to deliver high levels of achievement for all pupils, regardless of socio-economic circumstances, family situation or ethnic background. The Trust will secure and sustain improvement in schools by providing leadership and support through academy sponsorship, by working with local governing bodies to strengthen their leadership and strategic delivery, and through contracted work with school leaders and their teams. Partnership and collaboration are central to how the Trust operates, and while there is a common approach for achieving excellence across the network of schools, the ALT doesn't seek to impose a corporate style identity on its schools - it recognises that every school and every community is different.

Lynsey Holzer joined The Active Learning Trust as Chief Executive Officer in January 2023, having previously successfully led another multi-academy trust. With over 25 years of education sector experience in a variety of roles - including teacher, leader, executive headteacher and Ofsted inspector - Lynsey is passionate about providing an environment in schools for children to excel and for staff to enjoy their work and succeed in their roles. With Lynsey at the helm, the Trust has experienced a successful consolidation period and therefore plans to further grow and develop its reputation nationally over the course of this year. 

The Active Learning Trust is a charitable company and is responsible for the strategic direction of each of its academies. The Trustees have delegated responsibility for the three core strategic functions of the Trust: strategic direction, holding schools to account for educational performance, and overseeing the financial performance and compliance of the academies. In executing these responsibilities, Trustees set strategic policy, adopt an annual plan and budget, monitor the Trust by the use of those budgets, and make major decisions about the direction of the Trust, capital expenditure and senior staff appointments.

The Board has established the following three Committees to undertake detailed examination of aspects of the Trust's operation: Standards, Finance & Resources and Audit & Risk. The executive leadership of the Trust is delegated to the Chief Executive Officer and wider executive team. Trustees understand that their role is strategic in nature and must not veer into the operational.

Trustee (Finance / Risk)

The Active Learning Trust is seeking to appoint new Trustees with strategic-level experience in finance and or risk.

The Trust is particularly interested in the following profiles:

1. A qualified accountant with experience as a CFO or Finance Director for an organisation of a similar scale or larger. As the Trust moves to a new finance system, it would benefit from the expertise of a Trustee who can scrutinise monthly accounts and support the Trust CFO, bringing both strategic and technical competence.
2. An individual with experience with risk assessment, financial analysis and strategic planning and an understanding of risk frameworks. Experience as a Chief Operating Officer or a Systems Analyst / Architect would be considered particularly valuable.

Trustee (HR)

The Active Learning Trust is seeking to appoint a new Trustee with senior, strategic-level experience in HR. The Trust is passionate about continuing to develop a strong HR function which is fit for purpose and support its people across the organisation. The Trust interested in potential candidates who would bring a modern, innovative perspective on how their HR function can support the Trust as fully as possible.

Candidates should bring strategic level experience in Human Resources management, bringing knowledge of best practice in HR and employment law to support the Board, CEO and Director of People as it develops the support it already offers. This person should bring experience in training and workforce development, remuneration and flexible working arrangements.  

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Candidates must possess strategic-level experience in their domain, such that they're able to provide effective support and challenge to the Board and the executive. Experience in education is not required, and, while some understanding of public and third sector funding models may be useful, the Board is keen to consider applicants from a range of backgrounds and sectors, including the private sector.  

Above all, applicants must demonstrate an alignment with the mission and values of the Trust and a keen interest in education. Applicants who have not previously held non-executive roles are welcome to apply, provided they understand the governance role and how it differs from executive leadership.

A full list of current Trustees can be found here. 

The Trust Board meets five times per year, with three meetings per year ideally in person and two virtually. Trustees also sit on at least one Committee, which meet an additional six times per year virtually - once every half term. There is an expectation that Trustees will invest time in between these meetings in getting to know the Trust and its schools. Occasional visits to schools and attendance at events is encouraged. This is an unremunerated position, however reasonable, pre-agreed expenses will be reimbursed.

In the interests of safeguarding and in accordance with Department for Education requirements, the role will be subject to an enhanced disclosure and barring service check.

With Trust schools based in Cambridgeshire and Suffolk, the Trust is particularly interested in candidates based within those geographies however they are interested in strong candidates based further afield as well.

ALT welcomes applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, belief or disability. All appointments will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process. In line with the Equality Act 2010, however, the organisation may employ positive action where candidates from underrepresented groups can demonstrate their ability to perform the role equally well.