Hart Schools Trust is a multi-academy trust working with primary and secondary schools in Stevenage and the surrounding area. The Trust prides itself on its broad curriculum, the extensive enrichment opportunities it provides, and the excellent support it offers its schools through its partnership with North Hertfordshire College (NHC). The college and schools trust are part of Hart Learning Group, a charitable organisation with a mission to spark fascination, and to inspire and motivate people through learning. It supports over 10,000 learners and employs around 450 staff. Hart Schools Trust has an annual turnover of nearly £8m.

Originally founded in 2012 to accommodate two studio schools in Stevenage, Hart Schools Trust acquired local secondary Thomas Alleyne Academy in 2013. With pupil numbers falling, a poor reputation, a plan to relocate the school and a 'requires improvement' rating from Ofsted, the Trust rose to the challenge of turning the school around. Nine years later, the school is full, has an outstanding reputation, is considering its scope for growth within the sixth form, and has been judged 'good with outstanding leadership in successive Ofsted inspections. Based in Stevenage Old Town, Thomas Alleyne’s has been a significant part of the community since it was founded in 1558 and the Trust continues to educate students in some of the school's original buildings.

In 2017, the two studio schools closed, and Hart Schools Trust acquired Roebuck Academy, a primary school and nursery based in Stevenage. Roebuck Academy now has a two form entry in every year, an excellent reputation amongst the local community, and was judged ‘good’ by Ofsted In September 2021. 

The role of a Trustee at the Hart Schools Trust Ltd has four main functions:

1. To provide strategic leadership for the Hart Schools Trust Ltd, supporting and challenging the Managing Director and senior leadership team and acting as critical friends to those running the business on a day-to-day basis
2. To work with the Managing Director and senior leadership team to review business and financial plans that aim to deliver the Trust’s strategic objectives
3. To monitor progress towards the goals agreed and hold the senior leadership team to account for delivery, including challenging variations to plans
4. To ensure that there are adequate sources of assurance to show that the Trust is working in accordance with its values, duties and statutory obligations

Because the Trust is an exempt charity, Trustees are charitable Trustees, and are expected to place the interests of its students and potential students before all other interests, including their own. At the same time, the Trust carries out public functions (the provision of education funded by public money) and so Trustees make sure that the Trust delivers value for money and operates regularly and efficiently in line with its remit.

Trustee and Audit / Risk Committee Member

As it continues to grow, Hart Schools Trust is looking for an enthusiastic new Trustee with strategic-level finance experience to bring key skills and knowledge to the Board, as well as provide a high level of scrutiny, challenge and strategic direction.

The successful candidate may have held leadership positions in finance, such as CFO roles, but could equally come from a background of audit, risk and / or accounting. They will have strong financial skills and a good awareness of standards in public life, public accountability and a determination to abide by them. Applicants could have a background within private, public or not-for-profit sectors. Although prior board experience is welcome, the Trust is open to applications from first-time non-executives.

Above all, the successful candidate will be aligned with the Trust's mission to inspire children and young people in Stevenage to excel through education. As part of its commitment to diversity, Hart Schools Trust particularly welcomes applications from women and those from minority ethnic groups. 

A list of current Trustees can be found here.

Hart Schools Trust welcomes applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability. As women and those from a BAME background are currently under-represented on the Board, applications from those candidates 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 diverse candidates can demonstrate their ability to perform the role equally well.

There are six Board meetings per year, set once per half term, and these tend to take place at breakfast time (8-10am / 9-11am) on weekdays. Additionally, there is an annual strategy day and ad hoc engagement. Board meetings and the strategy day are currently held remotely, but the Board will be moving towards hybrid meetings. The overall time commitment is approximately two days per month throughout the year. The role is unremunerated but reasonable, pre-agreed expenses will be reimbursed. The appointment is for a four-year term, renewable once.

Location

Candidates will be local to the Hertfordshire area.