Trustees

Whitefield Academy Trust – Trustee Roles

 This is an opportunity to contribute to the community within the London Borough of Waltham Forest by joining an Academy Trust Board.

 About Whitefield Academy Trust

With an ethos based on enjoyment, achievement and wellbeing for all, Whitefield Academy Trust educates 475 children and young people with a wide range of special needs and disabilities at two special schools. Whatever their starting point, we are determined to help each pupil make excellent progress, to prepare to them for their next stage in education or training and to equip them with the skills, confidence and belief they need to succeed in adult life. Whitefield Academy Trust is uncompromising in its commitment to safeguarding children and young people.  The trust employs over 320 people.

In addition to our schools, we run high-quality Professional Development Services through which we offer a range of training opportunities to teachers and support staff across London and the South East.  We also run a highly successful employability programme – Project SEARCH East London– which prepares young people with SEND for full time, paid employment.

We are also the London Borough of Waltham Forest’s chosen provider of Specialist Education Outreach Services and, as such, work with mainstream schools across the borough helping children and young people with SEND access the full curriculum.

The role

We are looking for an exceptional individual to join our Board of Trustees at Whitefield Academy Trust.  We are looking for someone with a background in either:

• Education, particular candidates who have been a Designated Safeguarding Lead or part of a school’s safeguarding team
• Social work, particularly those with experience as a LADO
• Safeguarding, as a trainer or adviser/consultant

The successful candidate would join, and potentially Chair, our Board’s Safeguarding Committee. We are seeking someone not only with the relevant safeguarding knowledge and experience but also with strong interpersonal skills, an adaptive approach and a strategic mindset.

Trustees – or non-executive directors – are both charity trustees and company directors of the trust. The Board of trustees manages the business of the trust and may exercise all their powers. The trustees ensure compliance with the trust’s charitable objects and with company and charity law.

Trustees are responsible for:

• Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction;
• Holding executive leaders to account for the welfare and educational performance of the trust and its pupils;
• Overseeing the financial performance of the trust and making sure its money is well spent.

With a new Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer now in place, the trust is looking to evolve and grow in order to serve more young people with SEND – both through its schools and services.   To realise these ambitions, the Board is seeking new members who will play a pivotal role in driving the trust forward.  In particular we are interested in recruiting individuals with knowledge in the following areas:

• Change management
• Specialist education
• Safeguarding

Our Board meets up to seven times per year which includes the AGM. In addition, the Board operates three sub-committees for:

• Finance, Audit & Risk
• Safeguarding
• Quality of Education

We are keen to recruit from the local community in Waltham Forest but welcome those from further afield who possess the skills and knowledge needed to make a meaningful contribution to our Board. 

The trust is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive culture and community; a place where we can all be ourselves and succeed on merit.  Ensuring best practice in our recruitment process is essential to our commitment.

Expectations of trustees

It is important that trustees fully understand what is expected of them in their role.  This includes:

• Attendance at full Board meetings usually held on one of the trust sites, between 4:30 to 6/7pm;
• Membership of a sub-committee and attendance at related meetings, up to two each term, between 4:30 to 6/7pm;
• Commitment to maintain confidentiality and conduct in line with the trust’s vision and values;
• Participation in relevant training, in addition to Board meetings;
• Participation in the Board’s skills audit and external reviews of governance;
• Undertake a DBS check and provide two satisfactory references.

Whitefield Academy Trust is uncompromising in its commitment to safeguarding children and young people.

The Trust is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community - a place where we can all be ourselves and succeed on merit, ensuring best practice in our recruitment process is essential to our commitment.

How to apply we require a CV and short supporting statement outlining:

• The skills and experience you have to offer to our Trust Board
• Your commitment to undertake training to acquire or develop the skills needed to be an effective Trustee
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To find out more about the Academy:

Visit www.whitefieldacademytrust.org.uk  or contact the Human Resources Department: Tel: 020 8531 3426 Please send completed CV’s to recruitment@whitefieldacademytrust.org.uk

For an informal conversation about the role please make an appointment with Mia Beales 0208 531 3426 ext. 3006 to speak with our Chief Executive Officer Kirstie Fulthorpe.

• Closing date: 31 August 2022
• Interview date: tbc