The Girl’s Day School Trust (GDST) was founded in 1872 and throughout its history has been at the forefront of education for girls and a strong voice in promoting opportunities for young women. The Trust is the UK’s leading network of independent girls’ schools, and the largest single educator of girls in the UK. There are over 18,000 pupils in the 23 independent fee-paying schools and two academies located across England and Wales. GDST schools represent the very best in teaching and pastoral care. They foster academic excellence but also build character, helping girls to be confident, resilient and fearless. Whatever her disposition and direction in life, the GDST strives to create environments where each girl can learn without limits and thrive in her own way.

Since the start of the pandemic there has been an increase in issues associated with mental health and wellbeing and the Trust’s response in the area of pastoral care is becoming ever more important. With an increase in the importance of mental health across students and teachers since the start of the pandemic, the Trust plans to refocus much of their aims towards pastoral care.

Safeguarding

The Trustees form a Council which is legally responsible for the GDST's activities, including setting strategy, authorising building and other capital development programmes, and ensuring financial viability and the safety and welfare of pupils.

The successful applicant will be appointed as a Trustee to further the work and aims of the GDST and act as an ambassador for the organisation. They will become the Trust's Safeguarding Lead, who sits on the Council and the Audit Committee, and is required to attend termly Safeguarding Committee meetings.

As the proprietor, the Council of the Trust has the following responsibilities, which are delegated to the Audit Committee:

• To annually review and approve the GDST Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy including any substantive changes
• To oversee compliance with the Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy and other relevant audit processes as required
• To nominate a member of Council, who is also on the Audit Committee, as ‘Safeguarding Lead’ to take leadership responsibility for safeguarding at organisation level, delegating where appropriate to members of the Senior Management Team, and updating Audit Committee on significant safeguarding issues during the year
• To receive regular reports on the outcome of annual school safeguarding audits

In addition to fulfilling the Council's statutory duties, the successful applicant will update the Audit Committee on significant safeguarding issues during the year, delegating where appropriate to members of the Senior Management Team. The Trust can provide safeguarding training alongside a general induction, so the successful applicant will get a solid understanding of the current requirements for schools and the manner in which the Trust gains assurance in this vital area.

Commercial

The Trustees form a Council which is legally responsible for the strategic direction and oversight of the GDST. It sets strategy, authorising building and other capital development programmes, monitors performance against key indicators, reviews policies and procedures, ensuring financial viability and the safety and welfare of pupils.

The successful applicant will be appointed as a Trustee to further the work and aims of the GDST and act as an ambassador for the organisation. In addition to attending Council meetings, the successful applicant will sit on one of the Council’s Committees.

Statutory duties:

• With the other Council Members, to ensure that the Trust complies with its governing document (the Memorandum & Articles of Association), charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations
• To ensure that the Trust actively pursues its objects as defined in the Memorandum & Articles of Association and uses its resources exclusively in furtherance of those objects
• To contribute actively in giving firm strategic direction to the Trust, setting overall policy, defining goals and setting targets and evaluating performance against those targets
• To safeguard the reputation and values of the Trust
• To ensure the effective and efficient administration of the Trust
• To ensure the financial stability of the Trust
• To protect and manage the property of the Trust and to ensure the proper investment of the Trust’s funds
• To appoint the Chief Executive and monitor his / her performance
• To chair and / or attend Council Committees, subsidiary company boards or other groups given delegated authority by the Council

Additional duties:

• To prepare for Council business by reading and reviewing Council and Committee papers
• To attend meetings of the Council and contribute to discussions and decision-making
• To be an active Council Member in exercising its responsibilities and functions
• To use any specific skills, knowledge or experience to help the Council reach sound decisions
• To comply with any Council Codes of Conduct and Conflict of Interest policies

Safeguarding

The GDST is seeking a Trustee with safeguarding experience to be the Trustee Safeguarding Lead, who takes leadership responsibility for safeguarding across the organisation and helps further the work and aims of the Trust.

The successful candidate will have senior experience of safeguarding, having operated in an organisation where particular measures are taken to protect the health, well-being, and human rights of individuals, allowing people, especially children, young people and vulnerable adults, to live free from abuse, harm, and neglect. They should have experience of safeguarding and a keen interest (not necessarily through direct experience) in sustaining and developing knowledge of it in a school context.

The successful candidate will be a team player, with a strong track record and an understanding of business and financial management. Sound judgement, strong communication skills and an empathy with the mission and values of the GDST are also essential.

Additionally, all Trustees should have an understanding of, strong commitment to, and active support of the mission, strategies, and values of the Trust, including:

• Girls’ education
• The independent education sector
• An ability to provide effective, independent, creative and strategic leadership of a large and complex organisation
• A strong interest in, and for some a direct experience of, the education sector
• A strong commitment to Nolan’s seven principles of public life – selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership

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Commercial

The GDST is seeking a Trustee with senior leadership experience and broad commercial acumen to join the Council and help further the work and aims of the Trust.

As the Trust is a large business managing 23 schools along with two academies, candidates should demonstrate significant commercial expertise, and have held a senior strategic position within this sector. They must be commercially astute and have an in-depth understanding of the challenges facing an organisation of similar size, turnover and staff as that of the Trust. They will be able to assess the nuances of these challenges, consider the variety of opportunities and risks which may be encountered in the coming years, as well as contribute to an objective strategy for the GDST. 

The successful candidate will be a team player, with a strong track record and an understanding of business and financial management. Sound judgement, strong communication skills and an empathy with the mission and values of the GDST are also essential.

Additionally, all Trustees should have an understanding of, strong commitment to, and active support of the mission, strategies, and values of the Trust, including:

• Girls’ education
• The independent education sector
• An ability to provide effective, independent, creative and strategic leadership of a large and complex organisation
• A strong interest in, and for some a direct experience of, the education sector
• A strong commitment to Nolan’s seven principles of public life – selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership

This role is unremunerated, but reasonable, pre-agreed travel expenses will be reimbursed. There are seven Council meetings, along with up to five Committee meetings (as well as three Safeguarding Committee meetings for the Safeguarding Lead) per year. Council meetings may be held either in-person or virtually, and they tend to start at 9am and be finished by lunchtime  The appointment is for a three-year term, which can be renewed twice at the discretion of the Board.