Established in 2011, Anthem Schools Trust is an education charity which operates 16 state-funded primary and secondary schools which serve 8,000 children and young people across the East Midlands, London and Thames Valley. As a multi-academy trust (or MAT), Anthem Schools Trust is first and foremost a school improvement organisation, responsible for ensuring that the public money it receives is used to drive the best possible outcomes for the children and young people under its care. Its vision is that by working together it will create ambitious and successful schools in which every child thrives. 

The Trust's work falls into three broad areas of activity: school improvement, governance and operations. Within and between each of these areas, colleagues employed at the national level as part of Trust-wide teams, and at the local level in Anthem schools, work together to secure the highest possible standards in all aspects of school life. Anthem schools are diverse and serve children and young people in many different communities - from Boston to Gainsborough, Dulwich Village to Oxford. While the schools are empowered to forge their own identities as they meet the needs of their unique communities, they are all united by a shared ambition for children and young people, which is underpinned by a commitment to the Trust's values of integrity, collaboration and excellence.

With a new CEO, Mohsen Ojja, starting in January 2023, this is an exciting time for the Trust. A new strategic planning process will commence in the months ahead, in which the Trust will focus on how it can continue to deliver the highest possible quality of education in each of its schools, while developing outstanding faculty, staff and leaders, and growing the network.

The Board of Trustees is responsible to the government for the performance of all the schools in the Trust. It ensures the Trust's clarity of vision and strategic direction; holds each school to account for its educational performance; and makes sure money is well spent. Local governance is provided by each school’s Local Governing Body, which focus on ensuring that their school is aligned with the needs of the local community it serves.

The Board delegates some of its work to four sub-committees: Education, Finance, Audit and Remuneration. It is also accountable to external government agencies, including the Department for Education (DfE), for the quality of the education provided in Anthem schools. It is required to have systems in place through which they can assure themselves of the quality of the education and other legal matters, such as safeguarding and health and safety, across the Trust.

Fundamentally, Trustees exist to ensure that the Trust:

• Is properly run
• Demonstrates high standards in all aspects, including those inspected by Ofsted and other regulators
• Fulfils the purpose of Anthem Schools Trust
• Meets the needs of the beneficiaries – the pupils and community
• Complies with legislation and statutory guidance.

Trustee (Safeguarding)

Anthem Schools Trust is seeking a Trustee to act as the Board's lead on all matters relating to safeguarding. They will support and challenge the work of the safeguarding leads operating and both the school and Trust level.  

The ideal candidate will have senior professional experience gained in an environment where specific measures are taken to protect the health, well-being, and human rights of individuals, allowing people, especially children, young people and vulnerable adults, to live free from abuse, harm, and neglect. They may come from a range of sectors and organisations, but they should have a keen interest in deploying their knowledge in an educational context.

Trustee (Finance)

Anthem Schools Trust is seeking a Trustee with strategic-level finance experience to succeed a Trustee who is due to step down in the coming months. There is also an opportunity for someone to chair the Audit Committee but it is not a requirement for it to be this appointee. 

Given the scale of the Trust - 16 schools, £56m operating budget - the successful candidate will bring a strong understanding of financial management, ideally gained in large, complex organisations as a CFO or Finance Director. An accounting qualification would be desirable, but not essential. Candidates are not expected to have experience in the education sector.

Above all, applicants must uphold the Trust's values of integrity, collaboration and excellence, and possess a firm understanding of the role of governance and how it differs from management. First-time non-executives are strongly encouraged to apply but all applicants must demonstrate an understanding of charitable trusts and their regulatory responsibilities.

A full list of current Board members can be found here.

The full Board of Trustees meets six times per year. All meetings take place online on weekdays and tend to run from 9 / 10am through to 2pm. Trustees are also expected to join at least one Sub-Committee, which meet between two to six times per year, depending on the committee. As with the main Board meetings, these all take place virtually. Additionally, there is an annual strategy day in the Spring / Summer, which usually takes place in person in London. Each Trustee is also expected to make informal visits to three Anthem schools per year. 

Trustees are appointed for an initial term of four years, which can be renewed once at the discretion of the Board. This role is unremunerated but reasonable, pre-agreed expenses will be reimbursed.

Trustees can be based anywhere in the UK, as long as they are able to travel to Anthem schools three times per year as well as attend a strategy day in London. Anthem schools are located in the East Midlands, London and the Thames Valley, and so there is a preference for individuals based in those locations. 

Anthem Schools Trust welcomes applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability. All appointments will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process.