The Prep Schools Trust (PST) is a family of flourishing schools in Oxfordshire: Barfield, Chandlings, Cothill House, Kitebrook and Mowden Hall. While unique, each school shares consistent values: putting pupils first, performing to the highest standards, pooling strengths to collaborate and achieve more, innovating by anticipating change and adapting to it, and looking beyond the school gates to serve the wider local communities.

The Trust has a distinguished heritage as a platform for the individual and collective growth of its schools. It is dedicated to preparatory schools only, allowing its schools to be autonomous and maintaining characteristics that suit the local markets. The Trust's mission is to prepare outstanding preparatory education and pastoral care as a family of schools, giving pupils the opportunity, skills and confidence to prepare them for their future. By working together, Prep Schools Trust schools are strong, adaptable and agile, with access to resources beyond the reach of any individual school. 

Looking forward, the Prep Schools Trust is poised for growth. By working purposfully and collaboratively, the Trust creates environments within which children from all backgrounds and abilities can grow intellectually and emotionally. As an educational charity all funds are invested back into the schools for the benefit of pupils now and in the future. 

The organisational structure comprises three levels, which includes the Trust Board (the Trustees), as well as each school within the Trust having a Local Advisory Group (LAG) and the Chief Executive.

The new Trustee will have skills, experience and confidence in all aspects of safeguarding. They will play an integral part in supporting senior management at both Trust and school level to ensure appropriate safeguarding procedures and good culture. The principal role of the Trustee is to:

• Champion safeguarding, child protection and the wellbeing of pupils within the Trust schools
• Support the Chief Executive, Trust Office, Heads and Chairs of LAGs in discharging their safeguarding duties
• Support the Clerk to the Trustees to procure regular and appropriate Trustee training on all relevant safeguarding matters
• Evaluate the support and training in place for the schools’ Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs), as well as various Trust template policies, including Safeguarding, Safer Recruitment and Staff Code of Conduct
• Ensure that any identified deficiencies in the safeguarding practices in any Trust school(s) are investigated and rectified
• Review the Trust’s policies and procedures that provide internal control and mitigate risk, particularly advising on Board training and development and future safeguarding strategy for the Trust overall

Prep Schools Trust (PST) is seeking to appoint a Nominated Safeguarding Trustee with strategic-level leadership experience gained in an environment with first-rate safeguarding standards. They will act as the Board's safeguarding lead, providing support and challenge to the Board, Chief Executive and key stakeholders at each of the schools.

The ideal candidate will have senior professional experience implementing specific measures to protect the health, wellbeing, and human rights of individuals, allowing people, especially children, young people and vulnerable adults, to live free from abuse, harm, and neglect. They will bring experience of safeguarding and a keen interest in sustaining and developing knowledge of it in an educational context. The Prep Schools Trust has a keen interest in those who have operated in a preparatory school environment.

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

• Passion for education and the wellbeing of children
• Substantial knowledge of, and interest in, the legislative and regulatory framework governing safeguarding in schools in the UK
• Experience of working in a school, or similar setting, with responsibility for safeguarding at a senior level

The Board welcomes applications from candidates seeking their first non-executive role, as long as they demonstrate expertise in all relevant safeguarding matters.

For further information about the Board of Governors, please click here.

This is a voluntary role, although reasonable domestic travel expenses may be reimbursed. There are three full Board meetings per year and a Strategy Day. The Trustee will also join the Education Committee, which meets a further three times per year virtually. Generally, the full Board meetings are held in person at the Trust offices or Schools.

Trustees are appointed for a three-year term which can be renewed with mutual consent.

The Prep Schools Trust is based in Abingdon, Oxfordshire. Candidates will therefore be based in the South-East or the rest of the UK.

The Prep Schools Trust is keen to ensure its governing body reflects its schools' communities. The Board welcomes applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, belief or disability. As those from an ethnic minority background are currently under-represented on the Board, applications from those individuals 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 candidates from underrepresented groups can demonstrate their ability to perform the role equally well.