Aldridge Education is a national multi-academy trust consisting of eight schools and an adult education provider. Established by Sir Rod Aldridge, who founded Capita Group and transformed it from a start-up to a FTSE 100 company, Aldridge Education's ambition is to provide young people from disadvantaged communities with a high quality of education. In particular, it recognises the value which enterprising attributes and entrepreneurial instincts can add in supporting academic performance and preparing young people for employment and better life chances.

The Trust is passionate about serving local communities and transforming lives through entrepreneurial education. It is distinctive for its educational breadth and geographic range with schools spanning across Brighton, London, Darwen, and Salford.

A lively co-educational academy based in North London servicing a culturally diverse and rich community, Duke’s Aldridge Academy aims to provide a high-quality arts curriculum that will disseminate throughout the wider context of the academy and wider community. The arts are used as a vehicle to raise standards in teaching and learning through the provision of a creative, engaging and challenging curriculum. There is a strong focus on Literacy and Oracy within lessons ensuring students develop the skills necessary to become successful, confident speakers. Effective partnerships are key to providing a quality arts curriculum by empowering its students to achieve through collaboration within a professional setting.

Character education i.e. the qualities of tolerance, optimism, perseverance, respect, integrity, resilience, confidence, community spirit, self-discipline and courtesy prepares the Academy's students for life beyond school. Duke's Aldridge Academy is clear that these qualities are essential for a successful and productive life as an active citizen, now and in the future. The academy is committed to helping young people develop such qualities as they underpin its belief that the role of a school — together with all families and the wider community — is to support the development of well-rounded young adults.

The Chair will work closely with Duke's Aldridge Academy's Principal to promote and maintain high standards of educational achievement by offering support, challenge and encouragement. Importantly, the Chair will build strong local relationships and be invested in the Tottenham area.

The Chair must provide the Local Governing Committee with a clear lead and direction for the Governors, taking responsibility for the delegation of tasks. The Chair will be an ambassador for Duke's Aldridge Academy in the local area and play a key role in engaging with external stakeholders. The Local Governing Committee provides scrutiny of the delivery of Duke's Aldridge Academy's Improvement Plan and monitors expenditure against the academy budget, thus holding the school’s leadership to account. It ensures that enterprise and entrepreneurship are embedded in all aspects of school life and that the local community is engaged with the Academy, so that Duke's Aldridge Academy is properly meeting its community’s needs.

The relationship between the Aldridge Education Trust Board, the Executive Team and the Local Governing Committees is characterised as a partnership to achieve our vision.

Aldridge Education seeks an excellent leader who will be able to chair the Duke's Aldridge Academy Local Governing Committee authentically, ambitiously and effectively. The ideal candidate will be an experienced leader and have operated at board level, whether that be in the commercial, public or third sector.

Aldridge Education is passionate about serving the communities in which it operates and the Chair will play a key role in engaging with Duke's Aldridge Academy external stakeholders including local businesses, local authorities, neighbouring schools and the Aldridge Education multi-academy trust board.

Aldridge Education is proud of its commitment to student development through entrepreneurship and extra-curricular enrichment. The new Chair should be passionate about these initiatives and support and challenge the executive to drive improvements in these areas. 

The successful candidate will have sound judgement, strong communication skills and a willingness to commit the required time and effort. They must have high levels of integrity and offer both challenge and support to the executive team and governing committee. A passion for Aldridge Education’s vision and mission is a critical attribute. 

Diversity: Duke's Aldridge Academy welcomes applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability. To better reflect its highly diverse student population, and as those from an ethnic minority background are currently under-represented on the Board, applications from those candidates would be particularly encouraged.

Please see the Diversity section for further information.

The list of current governing body members can be found here. 

This role is unremunerated, and reasonable, pre-agreed domestic travel expenses will be reimbursed. There are six meetings per year, plus stakeholder engagement and meetings with the Principal and with the Aldridge Education Trust. Currently meetings are a blend of in-person and virtual but this may change over time. The appointment is for a four-year term, which can be renewed once at the discretion of the Board.

Candidates will be UK-based and able to attend in-person meetings.

Duke's Aldridge Academy 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.