Established in 2012, Aurora Academies Trust operates seven academies across four Local Authorities - East Sussex, West Sussex, Brighton and Surrey. The Trust serves over 3,000 children aged between two to 16 and employs over 400 staff.

Driven by its mission to provide opportunity and create success for all of its pupils, Aurora is an ambitious trust. It is dedicated to providing the best possible standard of education, and to doing everything it can to support its schools and pupils to achieve personal excellence. Aurora's aim is for pupils to leave school achieving their potential and enjoying learning, equipped with the ambition, resilience, curiosity, and self-belief for success in life. Its ambition is for all Aurora schools to be excellent and inclusive institutions serving their local communities with achievement levels above similar schools nationally. Aurora has a strong track record of impact with a clearly defined approach to school improvement. Each of its schools is graded 'Good' by Ofsted.  

Collaboration lies at the heart of the Trust's work. Each Aurora school has its own unique identity and place in its local community. However, the Trust has developed common approaches in key areas that contribute to its collective improvement. More on the Trust's vision and values can be found here. 

Uniquely, Aurora benefits from the sponsorship of Pansophic Learning, an international education company which operates schools globally, mainly in the United States but also in Switzerland, the Middle East and in Africa. Aurora is able to leverage Pansophic's expertise in areas such as marketing and IT, as well as opening up international opportunities such as the annual teacher exchange which takes place every Spring Term with a school in Colorado. 

Looking to the future, the Trust has two key strategic objectives. Firstly, it will continue to focus on driving educational outcomes, particularly is Key Stage 2 and GCSEs. Secondly, over the next five years, Aurora plans to grow to support more schools and pupils.

The day-to-day running of Aurora Academies Trust rests in the hands of the Central Team under the CEO, James Freeston. The Board is responsible for advising on overall strategic priorities and, where appropriate, guiding on particular areas of expertise.

Trustees set the long-term strategic vision for the Trust, including plans for growth, allowing the Central Team to have the scope and confidence to handle the day-to-day challenges, while holding them to account. They guide the Board as it tackles both short and long-term issues, providing constructive challenge and support to the Central Team. 

It is also hoped that Trustees will engage with Aurora's schools beyond Board meetings, such as attending regular or ad hoc events.

Trustee (Educational Leadership)

As it looks to the future, Aurora Academies Trust is looking to further bolster its Board's expertise in educational leadership. 

The ideal candidate will be an educational leader with strategic-level experience in a successful school or multi-academy trust. They should have proven experience in driving school improvement, in either a primary or secondary context. Candidates could be experienced Headteachers, or they may be working in a Trust-level leadership role. Given that six of the Trust's schools have an incorporated nursery section, leaders from the nursery sector would also be of interest. Individuals without prior Board experience are strongly encouraged to apply, and the Chair is actively prepared to offer mentorship. There is a strong preference for individuals with a connection to West Sussex, East Sussex or Brighton and Hove. 

Above all, the successful candidate will be excited by Aurora's ambition for its pupils to achieve their potential and enjoy learning with the ambition, resilience, curiosity and self-belief for success in life.

Trustee (Strategic Operations)

As it looks to the future, Aurora Academies Trust is looking to appoint a new Trustee with strategic-level operational leadership experience. 

The ideal candidate will have led operations in organisations comprised of multiple, geographically dispersed physical sites. While education sector experience would be considered valuable (particularly organisations with multiple sites, such as universities, other groups of schools, private nursery chains, etc), individuals from other sectors are strongly encouraged to apply. This might include people working in sectors such as retail, hospitality, healthcare, banking, manufacturing, construction, telecommunications, etc. Individuals without prior Board experience are strongly encouraged to apply, and the Chair is actively prepared to offer mentorship. There is a strong preference for individuals with a connection to West Sussex, East Sussex or Brighton and Hove.

Above all, the successful candidate will be excited by the Trust's aim to offer "irresistible learning environments", such that its pupils receive the best possible education, and leave equipped for the next stage of life, whether that be college, university or the world of work.

A full list of existing Trustees can be found here.
There are currently two Board Sub-Committees:

• Finance, Audit, HR and Risk Committee 
• Education Standards and School Performance Committee 

These are unremunerated roles, however reasonable, pre-agreed, travel expenses will be reimbursed. Trustees are appointed on an initial four year term which is renewable. There are five Board meeting per year, taking place in October, December, February, April and June. The Strategic Operations Trustee would be expected to join the Finance, Audit, HR and Risk Committee, which meets a further four times per year. The Educational Leadership Trustee would be expected to join the Education Standards and School Performance Committee, which meets a further four times per year. There is also an annual governance conference which all Trustees are encouraged to attend for the day. Meetings tend to take place in Bexhill-on-Sea, mid-week between 4-6pm. While in-person attendance is encouraged, remote dial ins are welcome. Occasional school visits and attendance at regular and ad hoc events is expected and encouraged.

UK-South East

Aurora Academies Trust welcomes applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, belief or disability. The Board recognises that women, those from ethnic minority backgrounds, people with disabilities, and individuals from lower socio-economic backgrounds are currently under-represented among the current group of Trustees, and so individuals with these backgrounds are particularly encouraged. 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.