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 Gainsborough, with almost 7,000 students in its care. With plans for growth, 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: effective curriculum and outcomes, leadership development, people development, wellness for students and staff, and playing an active part in the community.

Wickersley Partnership Trust seeks an outstanding individual to join the Trust 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 Board structure expansion.

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.

Wickersley Partnership Trust is seeking a new Director who will bring senior health & safety experience. The Director will advise and provide scrutiny to the Board as the Trust looks towards ensuring that its long-term growth is sustainable, impactful, and in line with its vision.

The successful candidate will bring a broad awareness of the legal obligations regarding health and safety, including compliance, training and safe working practices. They will have extensive senior leadership experience in the field of health & safety, and will bring a confident overview of the legislative landscape, regulatory bodies and knowledge of pertinent industry guidance and best practice. They will be passionate about health & safety, including workforce training and engagement, and be able to promote the Trust's commitment to students and staff. Candidates who bring health and safety experience from the public sector would be of particular interest to the Board, but any candidates who have strong, strategic-level experience of health & safety are encouraged to apply. 

Prior Board experience is not required for this 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.

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, there are six Committee meetings per year, currently held virtually. 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.

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 and those from ethnic minority backgrounds 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.