The Priestley Academy Trust was formed in 2016 to create a local solution for providing outstanding education. It enables its schools to work together, increasing capacity for embedding and sustaining real improvement for the benefit of its learners. The Trust’s six primary schools are located within five minutes’ drive of each other in the heart of Manningham, in the City of Bradford. The Trust employs 408 staff across these schools to support 2,655 pupils, with a budget of approximately £15m.

The Trust’s five core values are respect, responsibility, excellence, compassion and collaboration, and its mission is to develop all pupils as both academic and well-rounded, independent young people, equipped with the understanding, attitudes, skills and behaviours necessary to succeed in life. The Trust strives to ensure that its learners are prepared to succeed in secondary school, higher education, employment and in their family and community life. Together, The Priestley Academy Trust wants to ‘Be The Change’. ‘Be The Change’ is the underpinning element of the vision and values of the Trust. In order to enable it to ‘Be The Change’, the Trust needs to ensure that its strategic plans are put into action and are continually monitored and reviewed - the main focus being improving outcomes for the pupils it serves. Trustees will play an important role in ensuring these are implemented effectively and are having the desired impact.

The pandemic has affected the progress of all students across the country, both academically and pastorally. The Trust is addressing the challenge of helping its children to recover from the lost learning over the coming months and years. Alongside this are the effects of the current cost of living crisis and the ever-increasing challenge to close the educational gap. The Trust has carried out a variety of school-to-school leadership deployments in neighbouring authorities, and continues to offer support to schools via the sponsorship model. In order to ensure the ability to provide this support, the Trust’s central services will continue to be developed as new schools join.

Board governance is a strategic, ‘eyes on, hands off’ at The Priestley Academy Trust. The new Trustee will be responsible for:

• Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
• Holding executive leaders to account for the educational performance of the organisation and its pupils, and the effective and efficient performance management of staff
• Overseeing the financial performance of the organisation and making sure its money is well spent

Trustee (Education / Strategic Leadership)

The successful candidate will ideally be a successful school leader who has substantial experience working in a high-performing school. They may be a Head of School, or a member of the wider senior leadership team, such as a Deputy / Assistant Head. The Trust is also interested in receiving applications from candidates with general leadership experience.

Trustee (Business / Financial Leadership)

The successful candidate may have a background in business leadership, or may have strategic-level experience in growth & change management. Alternatively, this candidate may have a financial background, and may have worked in risk management, accounting, or audit. The Priestley Academy Trust welcomes applications from candidates from a variety of backgrounds and sectors. 

Trustee (Human Resources)

The successful candidate may have a background in HR, or may have strategic-level experience in operational systems and processes. The Priestley Academy Trust welcomes applications from candidates with a variety of backgrounds and sectors. 

Although prior board experience is welcome, the Board is open to applications from first-time non-executives. As part of its commitment to diversity, The Priestley Academy Trust particularly welcomes applications from women and candidates from minority ethnic groups. 

You can read more about the Board of Trustees here.

There are eight Board meetings per year, which take place in-person in Bradford. Although in-person attendance is encouraged, hybrid working is an option. Additionally, there may be ad hoc engagement. In total, the time commitment amounts to c. three hours of work per month. The appointment is for an initial four-year term, which can be renewed once at the discretion of the Board. This role is unremunerated, and reasonable, pre-agreed travel and expenses will be reimbursed.

Candidates will be based in the UK. Hybrid working is an option.

In line with its commitment to diversity and inclusion, The Priestley Academy Trust is looking to broaden the profile and experience of the Board so that it better reflects the communities which it serves. As such, women and those from minority ethnic group are actively encouraged to apply, as well as those looking to take on their first non-executive role.