Great Schools Trust (GST) is a family of non-selective state schools serving children primarily across the Northwest of England. Its mission is to challenge educational and social disadvantage by serving as a catalyst for social and geographic mobility, so that each of its students has opportunity and choice over their future destination. Working in under-served communities, it aims to offer the same quality of education as one would find in the independent sector, but without the fees. With five schools currently - in Liverpool, Warrington and Bolton - and an income of £20m, GST has ambitious plans to bring its successful model to even more communities in the years ahead.

GST started life with just one school, King’s Leadership Academy Warrington, which is a mainstream secondary free school. There are now King's Leadership Academies in Bolton, Bootle (Hawthornes) and Liverpool, plus an alternative provision school in Wavertree known as King’s Phoenix. Over the years, the Trust has developed its own distinctive educational model, which prioritises character education and the development of leadership skills. Each school holds a number of core beliefs which are central to its practice, including that all students must learn to be resilient on their educational journey, becoming confident contributing citizens, able to develop a passion for both learning and character development. King’s Leadership Academy Warrington became the National School of Character in 2015 and is recognised globally as a leader in the field. 

As it looks to the future, GST intends to expand its reach. King’s Phoenix has recently moved to its own site, which has enabled capacity to double its roll, and a new free school is due to open in September 2024. GST became a National Behaviour Hub in 2022 and is in discussions regarding future sponsorship of further academies.

The Board of Trustees has overall responsibility and ultimate decision-making authority for all the work of the Trust. They are responsible for governing the charitable company and directing how it is managed and run, ensuring that it complies with all legal and statutory requirements. The Board works closely with the Trust's senior executive leaders; however, while the senior executive leaders are responsible for day-to-day operational management of the Trust and its schools, the role of the Board is strategic.

The core functions of the Board of Trustees are as follows:

1. Ensuring that there is clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
2. Holding executive leaders to account for the educational performance of the organisation and its pupils and the performance management of staff
3. Overseeing the financial performance of the organisation and making sure its money is well spent
4. Ensuring that the voices of stakeholders are heard

Great Schools Trust is a seeking a senior, strategic-level leader of Human Resources to join its Board as a Trustee. It is hoped that the appointed candidate will go on to chair the Performance and Remuneration Committee when the current Chair steps down in 2024.

Applicants must possess the experience necessary to advise, support and challenge the Trust's performance and remuneration strategy. They will most likely have held senior HR leadership roles, however legal professionals with expertise in employment law are also encouraged to apply. The ideal candidate will have deep experience in a commercial environment, combined with an appreciation for the reality of operating in the pubic sector. 

Although a connection with the North West would be considered advantageous, it is not an essential requirement. Applicants must demonstrate an affinity with the Trust's mission to bring a high quality education to deprived communities. The Board welcomes first-time non-executives and is able to offer a thorough programme of onboarding and ongoing professional development to Trustees. 

A full list of current Board members can be found here.

The main Board meets six times per year and all meetings take place online, on a Thursday, between 4-6pm. In addition, there is an annual strategy away day which takes place at one of the Trust's schools. This is currently the only meeting which Trustees must attend in person. The Board delegates some of its responsibilities to three Sub-Committees (Finance, Audit and Risk; Performance and Remuneration; and Education and Welfare) which meet up to six times per year. There may be opportunities for Trustees to take on additional responsibilities, such as being a 'Link Trustee' with responsibility for an area such a Safeguarding, SEND, and Careers but this is not a requirement. Occasional visits to the Trust's schools are also encouraged to better understand its work. This role is unremunerated, but travel expenses are paid whilst dealing with Trust business.

In the interests of safeguarding and in accordance with Department for Education requirements, the role will be subject to an enhanced disclosure and barring service check.

All meetings take place online, except for the annual strategy away day which is hosted by one of the Trust's schools in the North West. Trustees can therefore be based anywhere in the UK. 

In line with its commitment to diversity and inclusion, Great Schools Trust is looking to broaden the profile and experience of its Board so that it better reflects the communities which it serves. As such, women and those from ethnic minority or underprivileged backgrounds are actively encouraged to apply, as well as those looking to take on their first non-executive role. All appointments will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process.