Become a Director (Trustee)
Wickersley Partnership Trust comprises of 13 schools (five secondary and eight primary) in Rotherham and Gainsborough. Our governance structure is robust and ensures that our Trust and school leaders are held accountable and strive for the best possible outcomes for our students.
What do Directors do?
Directors have ultimate responsibility for directing the affairs of the Trust, and must ensure that it is solvent, well-run, and delivering the charitable outcomes for the benefit of the public for which it has been set up.
Directors:
- Sit on the Board and, depending on areas of expertise, a subcommittee
- Oversee the Trust and guide its strategic direction
- Hold the executive leaders to account
- Oversee the schools’ finances and make sure money is well spent
- Ensure that the Trust complies with law, and with the requirements of the Charity Commission as regulator; in particular, ensure that the Trust prepares reports on what it has achieved and Annual Returns and accounts as required by law
- Ensure that the Trust 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
- Act with integrity, and avoid any personal conflicts of interest or misuse of Trust funds or assets
- Ensure that the Trust is and will remain solvent
- Use charitable funds and assets reasonably, and only in furtherance of the Trust’s objects
- Avoid undertaking activities that might place the Trust’s endowment, funds, assets or reputation at undue risk
- 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 Trust, or where the trustees may be in breach of their duties
Am I right for the role?
Ideal Directors will have the following qualities:
Personal qualities and values
- A desire to create positive change for young people
- A commitment to the aims and objectives of the Trust
- A willingness to devote time and effort
- An ability to work effectively as a team while contributing an independent perspective
- An ability to build productive and supportive professional relationships
- A commitment to the Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership
- A commitment to equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice
- A commitment to Safeguarding young people
- Reliability and integrity.
Education and training
- A record of continuous professional development
- Educated to higher level in professional area of expertise.
Experience
- Experience of driving positive change
- Experience in leadership and management
- Professional experience in education / accountancy / finance / business / HR / marketing / law / risk management
Knowledge
- An understanding and acceptance of legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship
- An understanding of the use of attainment and other data to assess the progress, strengths and weaknesses of an educational environment
- An understanding of financial and workforce data
Skills
- Strategic vision
- An ability to think creatively
- Good, independent judgement
- An ability to use financial and workforce data to inform decision-making
An opportunity for personal development
This could include:
- Strategic Leadership
- Project Management
- Influencing & Negotiating
- Teamwork
- Communication
- Problem Solving
The Trust has an extensive programme of support, with network meetings; extensive online resources; an annual WPT Leadership Conference; regular, bespoke training sessions and training opportunities through Learners First Partnership – all free of charge.
What’s the commitment?
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, Subcommittee meetings take place six times a year each.
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.
Interested? Email
