Established in 2010 with academisation of The Charter School North Dulwich, The Charter Schools Educational Trust is a diverse, exciting, and highly aspirational multi-academy trust to work at and study in. With a staff of hugely ambitious professionals dedicated to achieving the best outcomes for all pupils, particularly those who are disadvantaged, its family of six schools currently includes primary and secondary schools, including sixth form provision, in the North and South of the London Borough of Southwark. The Trust also comprises a successful teaching school and research centre.

The origins of the Trust lie with the opening of this first school, named “Charter’’ after the Parents Charter introduced by the Government in 1991 to extend parental choice and raise standards. The Charter School was born out of a need of the local community to provide a good non-selective state secondary school in the Dulwich area where many selective schools exist, and base this new school on outstanding comprehensive education. This commitment to non-selective community schools and improving parental choice has only grown stronger over the years. In 2016, the Trust opened a secondary Free School in East Dulwich with a commitment to also provide specialist places for students with autism and a large Sixth Form. In 2020, it was joined by its first primary school, Charles Dickens Primary School and Nursery in the north of Southwark, as it sought to become a home to community schools for children and young people from two years old to 18. In spring 2021, a further three Southwark schools joined the Trust: Dulwich Hamlet Junior School, The Belham Primary School and Lyndhurst Primary School.

The Charter Schools Educational Trust prides itself on providing is pupils with an outstanding and inclusive education which goes beyond academic outcomes and strives to ensure that it encourages its pupils to be the best they can possibly be in all aspects of their lives. While proud of its achievements so far, the Trust has ambitions to double in size over the next two to three years, and expand into the neighbouring boroughs of Lambeth and Lewisham. It also plans to establish a Chartered Institute for Staff Development, which will support school improvement and be a crucial part of the Trust's offer. With several schools already planning to join, it is an exciting time to become involved with The Charter Schools Educational Trust.

The Charter Schools Educational Trust is an educational charity and its primary object is the advancement of education for the public good. Its legal form is a company limited by guarantee with charitable status.

Trustees, as the people responsible under the charity’s governing document for controlling the charity, have legal responsibilities under charity law and as directors under company law. Collectively, the charity’s Trustees are referred to as “the Board”.

Being a Trustee in a Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) is a voluntary position and as part of the Trust board, Trustees have three core functions:

1. Ensuring clarity of the vision, ethos, and strategic direction
2. Holding the Executive Leaders to account for the educational performance of the schools and its pupils and the effective and efficient performance management of staff
3. Overseeing the financial performance of the schools and making sure that its money is well spent.

Trustees should ensure central governance and strategic direction remain effective as the Trust grows and the Board as a whole should help to manage change and growth during the course of the next years.

The Charter Schools Educational Trust is looking for two new Trustees who will bring new and diverse perspectives to the Board. The successful candidates could come from various sectors/professional backgrounds but will be operating at a senior strategic leadership level and guide the Trust through an exciting period of growth.

The successful candidates will bring experience in overseeing organisational expansion and change management. They will be big picture thinkers, and sharp in identifying issues where the leadership requires greater oversight. Applicants could have a background within private, public or not-for-profit sectors. Although prior board experience is welcome, the Trust is open to applications from first-time non-executives.

Above all, the successful candidates will be aligned with the Trust's mission to inspire children and young people in South London to excel through education which transforms lives and strengthens its diverse communities.

The Charter Schools Educational Trust welcomes applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability. As those from ethnic minority backgrounds are currently under-represented on the Board, applications from those individuals 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 candidates from underrepresented groups can demonstrate their ability to perform the role equally well.

The Charter Schools Educational Trust is committed to continuous improvement in how representative they are of our local communities, including gender, ethnicity, religion, age, and all other aspects of diversity.

There are four or five Board meetings per year, which are likely to be held on Wednesday evenings. Additionally, each Trustee is normally expected to serve on at least one Committee, each of which meets at least three times per year (or once per term). Trustees are also encouraged to take on a link role and attend occasional governing body meetings at the Trust's schools. Finally, there is an annual strategy day and ad hoc engagement. Board meetings and the strategy day are held in person, while Committee meetings are virtual. The overall time commitment is approximately three to four hours per week across the year. The role is unremunerated but reasonable, pre-agreed expenses will be reimbursed. The appointment is for a four-year term. 

Location: Candidates will be UK-based.