Established in 2014, and built upon Christian values and ethos, the Derby Diocesan Academy Trust (DDAT) has grown into a thriving and effective family of 29 Church and non-Church schools. The DDAT now consists of three infant schools, four junior schools, 21 primary schools, and one secondary school. Based in the East Midlands region of England, DDAT enjoys a strong and productive relationship with all its family of schools, but also benefits and supports schools and organisations across Derby and Derbyshire. Within the DDAT family, there are over 7,000 children and young people, and more than 1,000 members of staff. Between them, DDAT and DDAT2 have a combined annual income of £35m.

The Derby Diocesan Board of Education developed DDAT to allow schools to take advantage of an academy model, but without being distracted from their core business of educating pupils. The Trust was designed to secure the schools’ church heritage, and to provide highly effective external support and challenge whilst delivering much of the business side of being an academy. DDAT believes that school improvement is the absolute priority, and its whole structure has been designed to challenge and support schools in equal measure. As such, the Trust offers a minimum of six school improvement visits per year from a school improvement professional, irrespective of whether the school is ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Inadequate’. Through collaborative working and a robust school improvement offer, all schools who have joined DDAT judged to be ‘Inadequate’ have achieved a judgement of ‘Good’ following inspection as part of the Trust.

The Trust’s plans are continually adapted to ensure sustainable and impactful growth in line with its vision. DDAT will continue to extend the Trust’s reach and impact across the region through growth which is underpinned by capacity to support schools effectively. To this end, it will continue to prioritise church schools who are judged to require rapid intervention, balanced with building capacity within schools themselves, and adding community schools where their vision is aligned with DDAT’s own. It will ensure that each DDAT school continues to grow together as part of the family through the development of the strong local hub network, with an additional focus on secondary capacity.

The Derby Diocesan Academy Trust seeks an outstanding individual to join its Board as a Director to work with the executive team, help shape its organisational strategy, and achieve its educational and charitable goals. This opportunity arises as a result of some current Directors reaching the natural end of their full terms of office, as well as new skills being sought to complement the current Directors’ experience.

Directors, both as a group and as individuals, are responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of the organisation, its financial health, the probity of its activities as a charity, and the development of its aims and objectives, in accordance with DDAT’s governing document and within legal and regulatory guidelines.

Board Director & Chair of Finance Committee

The Derby Diocesan Academy Trust would like to appoint a Director with a senior background in finance. The Director will provide strategic oversight, chair the Finance Committee, provide scrutiny and challenge to the leadership, and be familiar with applicable regulations. The Board is particularly interested in candidates with commercial sector experience but would consider other backgrounds as well. The successful candidate will possess strong business acumen and strong budget management skills.

The Trust is open to candidates looking to take on their first board role. The Board would like to better reflect the diversity of the Derbyshire area and so those from under-represented backgrounds are particularly encouraged to apply. Please see the Diversity paragraph below for more guidance.

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Board Director

The Derby Diocesan Academy Trust would like to appoint a Director with a senior background in human resources at a strategic level. They will be able to take a broad view on related matters which come before the Board they will be able to advise on how to navigate risk and cement organisational structures which are fit for purpose and scalable. The successful candidate would ideally bring experience of employment law and the Board would also consider lawyers in this field.

The Trust is open to candidates looking to take on their first board role. The Board would like to better reflect the diversity of the Derbyshire area and so those from under-represented backgrounds are particularly encouraged to apply. Please see the Diversity paragraph below for more guidance.

There are five in-person Board meetings per year, which are primarily held in DDAT’s offices in Central Derby or Bakewell, though sometimes take place in one of the schools. Additionally, there will be four virtual Committee meetings per year (50% of which will take place remotely) and five school visits. The Finance Director will also chair the Finance Committee. The role is unremunerated but reasonable expenses will be reimbursed. The appointment is for a renewable three-year term.