Villiers Park Educational Trust is a dynamic social mobility charity, delivering evidence-led programmes which develop personal and employability skills and raise academic outcomes for underrepresented young people aged 14-19. The charity works across four hubs in areas with below-average access to pathways into higher education and professional employment the UK. Alongside these hubs, it runs courses nationally, and has recently established an exciting new digital programme. All in all, it helps to improve access and opportunities for over 1,000 young people each year.

Villiers Park's vision is a world in which everyone can realise and fulfil their potential and lead society into an equitable, healthy future. With over 100 years of history and an annual turnover of £1.2 million, the charity provides support to organisations in developing their own approaches to inclusive learning and working cultures, as well as seeking to influence policy at the highest level to ensure all young people have opportunities to succeed.

Each of the charity's four hubs has a small teams based in the region, who build on-the-ground relationships with schools to improve pathways into higher education and employment. In 2022, Villiers Park made the decision to sell its residential centre; this represented a significant milestone and part of a wider strategic review focused on how it can increase its impact. By freeing up resources, the charity is able to operate with greater agility, extending its reach and influence, and work more directly with young people where they are. In short, it is better able to respond the needs of young people, and through hosting residentials in partnership can still give them a taste of what life at university or a degree apprenticeship involves.

In recent exciting news, the charity was just announced as a Scaling Award winner by the Fair Education Alliance, a prestigious award which will enable it to explore opportunities to scale its programmes to broaden reach and impact. The team at Villiers Park is excited by the opportunity to work with other Award winners and members of the FEA network, to learn from each other, share practice and collectively achieve systemic change.

With a passionate and engaged Board and staff, with both diverse skillsets and lived experience of Villiers Park's services, the charity is looking forward to the coming years as an opportunity to hone its current offering further, alongside creating innovative new services as it continues to strive to serve disadvantaged children ever better. Now is a fantastic time to join the Board and have a direct impact on helping to achieve these ambitious aims.

Becoming a Trustee at Villiers Park is an exciting opportunity to help a medium-sized and successful charity scale its impact and directly support the lives of under-represented individuals. Alongside contributing to a philanthropic cause, Trustees also gain valuable professional experience through training and personal development. Candidates may wish to read testimonials shared by current Trustees Benita Udegbe and Stephen Norton to learn more about the experience and benefit of being a Villiers Park Trustee.

Trustees oversee the leadership and direction of Villiers Park. The Trustee Board has an understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship and a willingness to devote the necessary time and effort. Together with the CEO and executive leadership, it determines the strategic direction and priorities for Villiers Park and reviews progress against these on a regular basis.

Villiers Park's Trustee Board has oversight across the charity's full remit, including each of its four hubs, its national programmes and its digital offering. Trustees use their experience and individual skillset to help shape the charity's strategy to maximise its impact and ensure that it achieves its charitable aims. There are currently seven Trustees, led by Chair Adrian Ball and including one alumna Trustee, who was previously part of the Future Leaders Programme.

New appointees are likely to join the Programmes & Impact Committee, which is a fantastic way to have a real impact on the services which support so many young people.

Villiers Park Educational Trust is seeking Trustees with current or recent experience in the education sector, and preferably within secondary or further education. The ideal candidate will have held roles in which they have had frequent contact with students, such as a head teacher or vice-principal, and will have a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing students and schools in today's rapidly changing landscape. They will have a passion for social mobility and will be committed to the charity's mission of providing equitable opportunities for all young people. Experience in any of Villiers Park’s hub regions (Swindon, Hastings and Bexhill, Norwich and Tyneside) would be of particular interest.

In addition, expertise surrounding ed-tech platforms and an interest in or understanding of the digital learning space would be advantageous. As the charity continues to develop and strengthen its digital programmes, it would value the perspective of Trustees who can bring fresh ideas and expertise in the area to the table.

Successful candidates will be excellent communicators, able to build strong relationships with other Trustees and the charity's leadership team, as well as with stakeholders and partners. They will be committed to diversity and inclusion, and bring enthusiasm and energy to the Board.

Like all of Villiers Park's Trustees, these new appointees will be dedicated and dynamic individuals who are passionate about the role of education in changing lives, and who are committed to making a real difference to young people. The Board is keen to ensure its composition is reflective of the population the charity serves; as a result, diversity may be an important factor within this process.

More information about the current Board can be found here. 

The role of Trustee is unpaid, but all reasonable expenses will be paid, including the potential for childcare expenses when travel to Board meetings is necessary. Trustees should be based in the UK.

Trustees are usually appointed for an initial term of four years, which may be renewed for a second term. The Board of Trustees meets once a quarter; generally, two meetings per year are held online, and two are held in person in London or Cambridge. Committee meetings are also once a quarter and are virtual.

Villiers Park is keen to ensure its Trustee Board reflects the population it serves as far as possible. The Board 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.