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. With the current 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 an outstanding individual to join its Board as a Director to work with the Board and executive team, help shape its organisational strategy, and achieve its educational and charitable goals. This opportunity arises as a result of one of the current Directors stepping into the Member role leaving a skills gap on the Board.  

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. This person will in particular look to support and challenge the executive on company accounts, generation of new income streams and audit and accountancy.

Wickersley Partnership Trust would like to appoint a Director with a senior background in finance. They could be from accountancy, audit or risk. The Director will provide strategic oversight, scrutiny and challenge to the leadership, and be familiar or able to familiarise themself with applicable regulations. The Board is particularly interested in candidates with commercial sector experience but would consider other backgrounds as well. The successful candidate will possess strong business acumen and strong budget management skills.

The Trust is open to candidates looking to take on their first board role. 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.

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, Trustees are also expected to have three to four informal virtual meetings focussed on their specific area of expertise. 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.