Bellevue Place Education Trust (BPET) is a multi academy trust which currently operates nine highly successful primary schools across London and Berkshire. BPET's core purpose is to establish, maintain and manage state funded schools. At present its nine schools educate over 2,840 children, supported by 420 members of staff. Its aim is to grow to 24 schools.

BPET is a joint venture between two organisations which are passionate about high quality education – Bellevue Education Ltd and Place Group. Bellevue Education Ltd is a family of 25 independent schools across the UK and Europe; Place Group is a highly-regarded education consultancy. BPET is able to draw on expertise from both organisations as it delivers its mission. 

The Trust's schools are driven by outstanding leadership, supported by a Central Team that is focussed on driving excellence in teaching and learning. All pupils receive exceptional provision through a skills-based curriculum, applying the best of the independent and state sectors to deliver breadth of opportunity and pupil enrichment. By nurturing pupils’ potential through a personalised approach to learning, pupils at BPET schools develop into curious, confident and independent young people. Although they form part of a strong and cohesive Trust, all BPET schools are empowered to meet the needs of the specific communities they serve and to build strong relationships with parents. 

All BPET schools are currently rated Good or better by Ofsted, with three being judged as Outstanding in their last inspections. In July 2022, BPET undertook its first Key Stage 2 assessments (delayed due to the pandemic), and overall pupils across the Trust achieved 7% above the national average for the age-expected standards for Reading, Writing and Maths. Pupil achievement is high, driven by a broad and balanced curriculum delivered across all schools. In addition, 225 extended school activities are offered every week, with 79% of pupils attending at least one club a week. BPET was successful in applying for a Trust Capacity Fund from the DfE in February 2020, and was also successful in applying for £200k from the Condition Improvement Fund in July 2020. Overall, the Trust has attracted over £38.4m of capital investment for new primary school places in the communities it serves.

Trustees provide BPET with strategic, non-executive management, so that it can achieve its charitable objectives. They contribute to the work of the Trust in providing all pupils with a high standard of education, where children are happy, confident, and successful ‘all-rounders’.

Trustees do this through having overall responsibility for BPET’s direction, strategic management and regulatory responsibilities. They should bring individual experience which is relevant to an education charity, provide support to the Senior Management Team, and act as ambassadors for the Trust. The BPET Board has no upper limit though is unlikely to be larger than 8-10 Trustees.

The role of Trustee at BPET is varied and includes:  

• Contributing to and influencing BPET’s strategic direction in line with its charitable objectives, its vision and ethos
• Approving key policies
• Setting targets for BPET and its schools
• Having oversight and management of the Central Team and school budgets
• Promoting BPET and safeguarding its reputation at all times
• Ensuring BPET is in sound financial shape through overseeing adequate financial planning, reporting and management
• Ensuring BPET fulfils its regulatory requirements under company and charity law
• Overseeing the development of health and safety policies and practice across the organisation, in line with legislation and good practice
• Actively championing equality of opportunity within the organisation
• Contributing to the work of (and in some instances chairing) committees of the Board as appropriate
• Contributing to monitoring visits, potentially by the ESFA, DfE or Ofsted

BPET is seeking to recruit two new Trustees with proven, strategic-level leadership experience. One of these individuals will come from a finance background, and the other may come from either an HR or a legal background. Experience in the education sector is not required.

Finance: Applicants should 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. The appointed person will ideally join the Finance, Risk and Audit Committee.

HR / legal: The Board also wishes to add expertise in either HR or legal. Applicants could be experienced HR Directors or General Counsels, partners in a law firm, or a successful HR or organisational development consultant.  

First-time non-executives are strongly encouraged to apply, however all applicants must demonstrate an understanding of charitable trusts and their regulatory responsibilities.  

In addition to embodying the Seven Principles of Public Life, successful candidates will demonstrate alignment with BPET's mission, vision and values. 

A list of existing Trustees can be found here.

There are six Board meetings per year, which take place in person (in either Kilburn or Waterloo), during the working day, and tend to last between two and three hours. Trustees are also expected to be part of a Committee, which meet once per term. Committee meetings often take place on the same day as main Board meetings. Additionally, there is an expectation that Trustees will visit a BPET school at least once per academic year. The appointment is for a renewable four year term. This role is unenumerated, but reasonable, pre-agreed domestic expenses will be reimbursed.

Meetings are conducted in person in either Kilburn or Waterloo, so candidates will ideally be London-based.

The Trust welcomes applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability. As women and those from a BAME background are currently under-represented on the Board, applications from those candidates would be 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 diverse candidates can demonstrate their ability to perform the role equally well.