The Girls' Day School Trust (GDST) is a unique family of 25 all girls’ schools across England and Wales. Founded in 1872, the Trust has been at the forefront of education for girls, and a strong voice in promoting opportunities for young women, throughout its history. The GDST is the UK’s leading network of independent girls’ schools, and the largest single educator of girls in the UK. Comprised of 23 independent fee-paying schools as well as two state-funded academies, there are over 18,000 pupils enrolled in GDST schools today.

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. The GDST strives to create environments in which each girl, whatever her disposition and direction in life, can learn without limits and thrive in her own way. The unique power of a GDST education is best encapsulated in The GDST Difference.

Over the coming years, the GDST will continue to refine and improve its educational offer. In embracing innovation, centring important issues such as sustainability, and keeping a focus on mental health and wellbeing, the Trust will remain united in its mission to help girls learn without limits, so that they can lead lives without limits.

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

The successful applicants will be appointed as Trustees to further the work and aims of the GDST and act as ambassadors for the organisation. In addition to attending Council meetings, the successful applicants 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

Trustee (Corporate Affairs)

As it looks out to the challenges and opportunities which the next few years will present to the independent education sector, the GDST recognises the importance of taking a strong coordinated approach to corporate affairs and advocacy. The successful candidate could come from the media, journalism or politics, or they may have led communications in a large corporate or non-profit setting. Having an understanding of the education sector would be useful but not essential. 

Trustee (Education Technology)

Girls learn without limits in GDST schools, and innovation has always been central to the Trust's educational approach. As the world of educational technology rapidly shifts, the Council wishes to appoint a Trustee with deep expertise in this domain to ensure the Trust remains at the cutting edge. The ideal candidate will be someone steeped in educational technology. They could come from a wide range of backgrounds, whether a founder of an edtech business, an investor in the sector, an academic with a research interest in the space, or a practitioner leveraging edtech as they work directly with learners. They will play a crucial horizon scanning role for the GDST, keeping their finger on the pulse when it comes to trends and developments in the edtech sector. 

Trustee (Entrepreneurship)

As it looks to the future, the GDST recognises that it will have opportunities to expand its provision, establish new revenue streams and develop new commercial propositions. The ideal candidate will be someone who has experience in developing new propositions, founding and scaling up a business, breaking into new markets or taking a product from local to national scale. 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 GDST. 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 candidates will possess sound judgement, strong communication skills and an empathy with the mission and values of the GDST. They will be supporters of girls' education, and advocates for the value of independent education. While experience as a non-executive is not essential, all candidates must demonstrate an understanding of the governance role, as well as a firm commitment to Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.

More information on governance at the GDST, as well as a full list of current Trustees, can be found here. 

This role is unremunerated, but reasonable, pre-agreed travel expenses will be reimbursed. There are six Council meetings, along with up to four Committee meetings 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.

The GDST has schools throughout the UK and is headquartered in London. Meetings of the Council tend to take place in-person in London, and so it is therefore essential that candidates are able to travel into London on a regular basis. 

The GDST 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.

The GDST's commitment to diversity, inclusion and real change, is powerfully articulated via its undivided charter.