Trustee

The Members of the LiFE Multi Academy Trust are looking to appoint a Trustee who shares their vision, values and ethos to complement the Trust Board. It is important that the Trustee shares a commitment to outstanding education for all, which provides high quality, personalised and rounded education for everyone, right in the heart of the local communities, promoting collaboration and challenge across the trust

The Trust has seen rapid growth over the last 18 months.  The schools currently in the Trust are:

Ashby School (March 2021)

Bosworth Academy (Lead school)

Braunstone Frith Primary School (September 2019)

Countesthorpe Academy (March 2020)

Desford Community Primary School (September 2022)

Dove Bank Primary School (September 2022)

Ibstock Community College (July 2021)

Ivanhoe School (July 2021)

Kingsway Primary School (January 2018)

The Winstanley School (January 2017)

Becoming a trustee can be very enriching, for the Trustee, the community and, most importantly, for the pupils or students of LiFE Multi-Academy Trust. In giving something back to our communities, Trustees gain valuable new skills, build on existing skills, receive free training and support through a variety of training opportunities and access to the National Governors Association resources. It presents many opportunities for personal professional development.

Trustees have an important role in multi-academy trusts (MATs). As their title suggests, Trustees keep a focus on the values of the trust, helping support and guide the leadership team of LiFE Trust to academic excellence and business efficiency to achieve these.

We welcome all levels of experience at Board level, both those with early skills and the minimum time commitment but also those skilled who wish to explore Board leadership or develop their skills further. The skills we are looking for at present are:

• financial skills
• auditing experience
• to be a member of the Trust’s Audit & Risk Committee

While not a requirement, we would particularly welcome applicants with:

• connections with the North West of the County, in order to supplement our knowledge of these communities. some experience of school governance and/or a background in education lived experience of disability or racial discrimination

Our Board meet six times a year, about 6pm, for which preparation is needed. Around half of the Board meetings are virtual and we promote hybrid membership. Occasional visits to an academy are important. Trustees also serve in other ways between meetings, although little engagement is needed in school holiday periods. Taking these in to account, we estimate the time commitment averages at about six hours a month. There is scope to give more time if individual Trustees wish, which greatly enhances the Board’s knowledge of its schools.

Application forms and further details may be obtained from our website www.lifemultiacademytrust.org.uk.

Completed applications are welcome at any time.