Wickersley Partnership Trust (WPT) was founded in 2014 with charitable status, and currently comprises eight primary schools and five secondary schools (including one sixth form) across Rotherham and neighbouring counties, with almost 7,000 students in its care. With plans for growth, predominantly at primary level, WPT is committed to ensuring that all students have the best educational experience possible, and that students and learning are at the centre of everything it does. It exists to further the interests of the young people who it serves and nurtures the development of knowledge, creativity, skills and understanding to help children develop into happy, healthy, caring and successful citizens.

The Trust is committed to raising achievement through high standards and expectations and is committed to providing active, co-operative and independent learning through dynamic and high-quality teaching. The climate for learning within WPT is characterised by embedded inclusivity and high expectations from the whole Trust community, and aims to become not only part of the community, but at the heart of the community. 

Following the pandemic, the Trust has used technology to enhance the way it works which will remain a priority in order to enhance outcomes for the children, connect them more easily, reduce the burden for teachers and improve parental engagement.

The Trust is forward-thinking and ambitious, aiming to provide an innovative, creative and integrated curriculum which inspires and motivates children to learn, taking into account different learning styles and the communities it serves. The Trust has five key strategic priorities: leadership development, people development, effective curriculum and outcomes, wellness for students and staff, and playing an active part in the community.

Wickersley Partnership Trust seeks two outstanding individuals to join its Board as a Directors to work with the Board and executive team, help shape its organisational strategy, and achieve its educational and charitable goals.

Directors, both as a group and as individuals, are responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of the organisation, its financial health, the probity of its activities as a charity, and the development of its aims and objectives, in accordance with Wickersley Partnership Trust’s governing document and within legal and regulatory guidelines.

Digital

They will be able to advise the Board and executive leadership on overseeing IT procedures and systems, cyber security / protecting sensitive data, GDPR, and how to use automation to improve efficiency. 

They could be, for example, a Chief Technology Officer or Director of Digital. The Trust is open as to which sector the Director comes from, but successful candidate will bring transferable informational management experience. The Trust is open to candidates looking to take on their first board role.

Education

The Trust is particularly interested in candidates who have worked in areas of high deprivation. They will be able to advise the Board and executive leadership on raising aspirations and issues related to children's mental health, staff recruitment, Ofsted inspections, and engaging with children from deprived and EAL backgrounds.

They could be, for example a recently-retired Principal or Head, and could be either from a primary or secondary background but will have a proven track record in school leadership. Alternatively, they could have held a senior role within Ofsted, the ESFA or the Department for Education. Candidates could be based locally but the Trust is very open to candidates based further afield who have worked in areas of high deprivation. The Trust is open to candidates looking to take on their first board role. 

For both roles, the Board would like to better reflect the diversity of the staff and students within the Trust and so those from under-represented backgrounds are particularly encouraged to apply. Please see the Diversity paragraph below for more guidance.

Further details of current Directors can be found here.   

This role is unremunerated; reasonable, pre-agreed travel expenses will be reimbursed. There are six Board meetings per year, with a minimum of two to be held in person taking place in Rotherham, South Yorkshire. In addition, the Directors will be expected to join one of the Board's sub-committees, each of which meets six times per year, currently held virtually. The Education Director will join the Education and Standards Committee. Board meetings are held from 5.30-7pm during weekdays. In addition, there will be ad hoc events, school visits and an annual away-day. The appointment is a three-year term.

Location
Candidates will be UK-based and ideally able to attend at least two in-person meetings as well as some school visits. 

In line with its commitment to diversity and inclusion, Wickersley Partnership 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 are actively encouraged to apply. 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.