Established in 2016, Danes Educational Trust (DET) is a multi-academy trust comprised of nine schools - four primaries, four secondaries, and a university technical college - located throughout Hertfordshire. Driven by its mission to develop optimistic, resilient learners and valued, empowered staff, today the Trust serves 7,000 pupils, employs 850 staff, and has an annual operating budget of around £54m.  

DET started life as a single academy trust centred on the highly successful secondary school, St Clement Danes School. In 2016, it converted to a multi-academy trust to allow the establishment of Croxley Danes School, also a secondary school. Over the years since then, the Trust has added two further secondaries, four primaries, and a technical college providing vocational education for the creative and media industries. This cross-phase educational model, which offers multiple different pathways for pupils, is the model DET will look to consolidate and build on in the years ahead. 

DET collaborates with local, national and global partnerships to achieve its vision of ‘Making the Difference Together’ and considers its core values to be at the heart of what makes the Trust unique:

• We value joy in working, teaching and learning together
• We encourage everyone within our Trust to feel optimistic about the future and how they can shape it
• We support all individuals in developing resilience to enable them to change and grow as a result
• We value and support the wellbeing of all individuals who learn and work in our schools
• We provide equality of opportunity and experience for all
• We provide a safe and secure learning environment for all

As set out in the Trust's Strategic Plan 2022-2025, DET intends to be a family of 20 schools by 2025. Despite its expansion aspirations the Trust is determined not to lose sight of the core business of providing outstanding education for all learners. It aims to grow large enough to reap the benefits of centralised services, but small enough to maintain its core values and high outcomes. 

Working with the most senior decision-makers involved in every aspect of the Trust, Trustees at DET have an opportunity to make a difference to the educational outcomes of young people in Hertfordshire. 

As a multi-academy trust, DET is a company limited by guarantee and an exempt charity. Trustees are therefore also Directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law.

The Trustees focus on three core functions:

• Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
• Holding the Trust Executive Group to account for the educational performance and overall performance of the Trust
• Overseeing the financial performance of the Trust and making sure its money is appropriately spent

DET is looking to develop the expertise on its Board by recruiting an additional Trustee. The appointed individual will contribute to the Trust’s future plans, making a positive difference to its aims and objectives. The Board is particularly interested in people with strategic-level experience in the fields of Law, IT or Estates Management.

Fundamentally, applicants must feel a close alignment with and commitment to DET's vision and values. Trustees at DET are expected to actively engage with and lead discussions; to listen and work in partnership with others, and be open-minded about new approaches. Candidates must possess an enquiring mind and an analytical approach, plus the ability to be both probing and supportive as a 'critical friend' to the executive.

Experience in the education sector is not a requirement. First-time non-executives are welcome to apply, provided they have operated at a senior, strategic level and can demonstrate an understand of the governance role.

The Trust is established in line with Department for Education requirements and consists of five Members and nine Trustees. The Members and Trustees are a committed and talented group who bring a wealth of experience with which to support the Trust. A full list of current Board members can be found here.

Each school within the Trust has its own school board, comprising local governors, which reports to the Danes Educational Trust board. Each body has specific Terms of Reference that ensure good governance practice at all levels.

At Trust Board level there are five committees: audit, business, education, people and safeguarding.

This role is unremunerated, however reasonable, pre-agreed travel expenses will be reimbursed. The full Trust Board meets four times per year, with the occasional additional meeting. These meetings take place in person at one of the Trust's schools in Hertfordshire - usually at 4pm on a Monday. Trustees are also expected to join one sub-committee of the Board, which meet online up to four times per year, usually on a weekday morning. Additionally, Trustees will make ad hoc visits to schools, attend events, and meet with external stakeholders as and when appropriate. The appointment is for a four-year term, which can be renewed once at the discretion of the Board.

This organisation is based in Chorleywood, Hertfordshire, and its schools are located throughout the county. Candidates will therefore be UK-based, and ideally living within a close commutable distance of at least one of the schools in the Trust. 

Danes Educational Trust welcomes applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, belief or disability. 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.