The Wickersley Partnership Trust 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 7000 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 they do. It exists to further the interests of the young people that 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 they work 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 they serve. 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. To support its growth and strategic aims, WPT is now looking for new Trustees to join its board who will be passionate about the mission of the organisation and aligned to its values.

The Wickersley Partnership Trust is looking for Trustees to support and challenge the Board and executive. Trustees have and must accept ultimate responsibility for directing the affairs of a charity, and ensuring that it is solvent, well-run, and delivering the charitable outcomes for the benefit of the public for which it has been set up.

Trustees must:

• Ensure that the charity complies with charity law, and with the requirements of the Charity Commission as regulator; in particular, ensure that the charity prepares reports on what it has achieved and Annual Returns and accounts as required by law
• Ensure that the charity does not breach any of the requirements or rules set out in its governing document and that it remains true to the charitable purpose and objects set out there
• Comply with the requirements of other legislation and other regulators (if any) which govern the activities of the charity
• Act with integrity, and avoid any personal conflicts of interest or misuse of charity funds or assets
• Ensure that the charity is and will remain solvent
• Use charitable funds and assets reasonably, and only in furtherance of the charity’s objects
• Avoid undertaking activities that might place the charity’s endowment, funds, assets or reputation at undue risk
• Take special care when investing the funds of the charity, or borrowing funds for the charity to use
• Use reasonable care and skill in their work as trustees, using their personal skills and experience as needed to ensure that the charity is well-run and efficient
• Consider getting external professional advice on all matters where there may be material risk to the charity, or where the trustees may be in breach of their duties

The Wickersley Partnership Trust is looking for individuals across four areas of expertise.

Human Resources

The Wickersley Partnership Trust is looking for a Trustee with a background in human resources  to complement the skills and experience of the existing Board. They will advise on various strategic HR and people-related issues as the Trust continues to develop and grow and seeks to develop its strategy for issues such as leadership development, EDI and pay inclusivity.

This individual will have a background in human resources at a strategic level and will bring strong leadership and drive to the board. They will also be able to support and challenge the board and senior staff.

Candidates could come from the commercial, government, education or non-profit sectors but most importantly, will be aligned with the Trust’s values and bring a passion for improving the lives and opportunities of children and young people.

Business Development

The Wickersley Partnership Trust is looking for a new Trustee with business development experience to complement the skills and experience of the existing Board. This person will bring strategic, leadership-level experience to drive forward the Trust’s key objectives and improve the quality of educational provision, as well as using school resources to support the wider community. They will be able to draw on experience of different business models in order to support the Trust as it seeks to generate income and facilitate new relationships with different stakeholders.  

In addition to this, they will support the Trust as it seeks to maximise revenue from procurement and develop cost saving solutions, as well as maximising facilities lettings with partner organisations (the Trust currently has relationships with British Climbing, the Football Association and Netball Association, for example). The Board is also interested in someone who understands how technology can support the development of the Trust’s operational and educational goals.

This person will bring strong commercial acumen and senior leadership experience within large commercially-minded organisations. They should equally bring an appreciation for how the educational sector operates differently and must be passionate about improving the lives and opportunities of children and young people.

Legal & Compliance

The Wickersley Partnership Trust is looking for someone with senior strategic experience, with a background in law or in risk management, compliance, litigation and liabilities frameworks to complement the skills and experience of the existing Board. The Trustee will have the ability to challenge the Trust and ensure they are robust and risks are mitigated or significantly reduced. Experience of health and safety procedures would be desirable but is not essential.

This person will have operated in highly regulated environments with multiple frameworks within the government or legal fields to advise on any related issues. ​​It would be an additional benefit, but is not essential, if candidates had had exposure to the education sector to bring an understanding of the risks associated with having vulnerable children on site.

Environment/Sustainability

The Trust has already made strides in terms of energy consumption and waste reduction and seeks a Trustee who will support the Board and executive as it looks to build on these achievements. They Board is interested in candidates who bring a professional background in sustainability or environmental issues; candidates could come from a business, commerce or consultancy background, and will have experience of advising organisations on how they improve their contribution to the environment.

Candidates may also bring experience engaging children and or young people to engage with the environment. They will be interested in the potential for the Trust to have a longer term sustainable impact as it seeks to inspire the next generation to be more green.

This role is unremunerated; reasonable, pre-agreed travel expenses will be reimbursed. There are six Board meetings a 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.