AQA is the UK’s largest provider of academic qualifications for schools and colleges, with assessments that are highly valued by employers and universities around the world. They are taught mainly in schools and colleges, and include GCSEs, A Levels, Project Qualifications, Functional Skills and the Unit Award Scheme, alongside a range of qualifications specifically designed for international British curriculum schools through a joint venture with Oxford University Press.

AQA sets and marks over half of all GCSEs and A Levels taken in the UK every year. As an independent education charity, its income is reinvested back into charitable activities. It also funds its own cutting-edge research, which sits at the heart of its assessments, and it supports initiatives such as helping young people facing challenges in life to realise their potential. AQA also provides support and services that enable learning: these include comprehensive support and training for teachers, Continuing Professional Development courses, and online resources to help teachers in the classroom.

AQA is focusing on an exciting strategy to move beyond pen-and-paper exams by developing and ultimately delivering digital exams. In line with its strategic aims, AQA is about to begin a pilot scheme involving thousands of students taking online GCSEs. In addition, AQA will be trialling innovative smart assessment technology that adjusts the difficulty of questions in response to students' answers. AQA has also recently launched its AQi website to advance understanding of assessment. The AQi site brings together research, insight and ideas to inform debate about the future of assessment.

You can find out more about AQA here and AQI here.

Finance Committee

AQA seeks an Independent Member of the Finance Committee to advise the Board of Trustees on financial and investment matters.

The Committee supports the Board of Trustees and senior members of AQA in their responsibility for overall financial policy, strategy and investments so as to ensure AQA’s financial stability over time. Committee members oversee and give assurance to the Board on the organisation’s performance against annual budgets, its financial statements and its capital investments. They give assurance to the Board that AQA’s financial operations are being managed and operated in accordance with the charity’s governing documents, applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards.

Committee Members act as advocates for AQA’s work and speak up for it publicly when appropriate.

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Audit, Risk & Compliance Committee

AQA seeks an Independent Member of the Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee.

Members of the Committee advise and support the Board of Trustees and senior members of AQA in their responsibility for the effective functioning of AQA’s internal controls, risk management and compliance controls. Members oversee both internal and external audit functions and review their effectiveness. Members also give assurance that AQA’s operations are being managed and operated in accordance with the charity’s governing documents, applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards.

Committee Members act as advocates for AQA’s work and speak up for it publicly when appropriate.

Finance Committee

AQA would like to appoint an Independent Member of the Finance Committee who will advise the Board of Trustees on overall financial policy, strategy and investments to ensure AQA’s financial stability over time. They will also advise on performance against annual budgets, financial statements and capital investment and the management of AQA’s assets and the financial returns achieved.

This person will have a background at executive level in investment, financial strategy and planning, and experience of ensuring compliance with financial control and accounting procedures. They will bring an inquisitive mindset and have the ability to challenge constructively. They will have a willingness to understand a new business organisation operating in the public eye and subject to policy oversight from the Department for Education and regulatory oversight from the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual). They will be passionate about education and have an understanding of its critical role in society.

Everyone has the potential to achieve, so AQA makes sure that its qualifications give all students (irrespective of background) the opportunity to show what they can do and progress to the next stage of their lives. All Trustees should be aligned with this purpose, as well as having a deep belief in the transformative impact of education and the importance of making it accessible for all.

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Audit, Risk & Compliance Committee

The appointed person will have a background at executive level in Finance and Accounting or External or Internal Audit. They will bring an inquisitive mindset and have the ability to challenge constructively. They will have a willingness to understand a new business organisation operating in the public eye and subject to policy oversight from the Department for Education and regulatory oversight from the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual). They will be passionate about education and have an understanding of its critical role in society.

Everyone has the potential to achieve, so AQA makes sure that its qualifications give all students (irrespective of background) the opportunity to show what they can do and progress to the next stage of their lives. All Trustees should be aligned with this purpose, as well as having a deep belief in the transformative impact of education and the importance of making it accessible for all.

AQA is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community regardless of gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, age, neurodiversity, disability status, citizenship, or any other aspect that makes people unique.

AQA is committed to the safeguarding of children and adults at risk; and is dedicated to reducing the risk of employing or contracting any person intent on abusing their position of trust, along with identifying and responding to any incident of alleged abuse from its employees or associates fairly and swiftly. For more information on safeguarding at AQA please visit the AQA website.

Terms of appointment

Committee roles are unremunerated; reasonable, pre-agreed domestic travel expenses will be reimbursed. Committee Members are required to attend five governance meetings per year plus additional meetings on specific topics under review or training, at any of AQA's locations, but primarily in London. Meetings are currently held in a hybrid manner through a mix of in-person and virtual meetings. Appointments are generally for three years in the first instance, which may be extended by mutual agreement for a further term.