Trustee

Be a force for change – join our Board

Are you looking to make a difference in your community? We are looking for people with new ideas and a fresh perspective to join our committed and friendly board.

Diverse Academies is a multi-academy trust with a vision to inspire, to raise aspirations and to create brighter tomorrows. Across primary, secondary and special settings, we share a common mission to nurture curiosity, develop wellbeing and empower children and young people to go beyond their aspirations. Together, we believe we can make a difference in our diverse communities, and in the lives of those who learn with us and work with us.

We empower. We respect. We care

Trustees of an academy trust are both trustees of the charity and directors of the  Company limited by guarantee. The Charities Act 2011 defines charity trustees as the people responsible under the charity’s governing document for controlling the administration and management of the charity, regardless of what they are called. They are known collectively as the trustee board.

Legal duties of a trustee Under charity law trustees have the ultimate responsibility for directing the affairs of Diverse Academies Trust, and ensuring that it is solvent, well run and delivering the charitable outcomes for which it has been set up. In law trustees have several legal duties, which are often described as those of compliance, care and prudence. Duty of compliance – trustees must:

•             ensure that Diverse Academies Trust complies with charity law, and with the requirements of the Education Funding Agency 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 Diverse Academies Trust does not breach any of the requirements or rules set out in its governing document, funding agreement or the Academies Trust Handbook and that it remains true to the charitable purpose and objects set out there,

•             comply with the requirements of other legislation and other regulators which govern the activities of Diverse Academies Trust

•             act with integrity and avoid putting yourself in a position where your duty to the charity conflicts with your personal interests or loyalty to any other person or body.

Duty of care – trustees must:

•             use reasonable care and skill in their work as trustees, using their personal skills, knowledge and experience as needed to ensure that Diverse Academies Trust 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.

 Duty of prudence – trustees must:

•             ensure that Diverse Academies Trust is, and will remain, solvent.

•             use the Trust’s funds and assets reasonably and responsibly and only in furtherance of it’s charitable objects.

•             avoid undertaking activities that might place Diverse Academies Trust ’s endowment, funds, assets or reputation at undue risk .

•             take special care when investing Trust funds, or borrowing funds for Diverse Academies Trust to use.

Specific duties of trustees of Diverse Academies Trust 

•             To contribute to the work of the trustee board in ensuring high standards of achievement for all children and young people across the trust.

Strategic direction

Trustees must ensure that Diverse Academies Trust has a clear vision, mission and strategic direction that will enable Diverse Academies Trust to fulfil its charitable objects and is focused on achieving these. Trustees must work in partnership with the Chief Education Officer and other senior staff.

Performance of the trust

Trustees are responsible for the performance of Diverse Academies Trust, for its impact upon stakeholders and for its corporate behaviour.

Compliance

Trustees must ensure that Diverse Academies Trust complies with all legal and regulatory requirements.

Prudent management of resources

Trustees must be stewards of Diverse Academies Trust ’s assets, both tangible and intangible, taking care over their security, and how they are used.

Good governance

Trustees must ensure that Diverse Academies Trust ’s governance is of the highest possible standard.

Personal qualities

•             commitment to the ethos and values of the Academy Trust

•             commitment to the education and welfare of children and young people

•             commitment to equal opportunities and the promotion of diversity

•             independence of thought and sound judgment

•             ability to work as part of a team.

•             commitment to seeking and taking account of the views of stakeholders (eg parents and pupils)

•             respect for the work and views of other trustees and staff

•             willingness to devote time, enthusiasm and effort to the duties and responsibilities of a trustee.

•             willingness to make and stand by collective decisions, even if you offered an alternative view during discussions

 Aptitude and skills

•             understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship

•             ability to challenge current thinking, the method of governance and management of the Diverse Academies Trust in a constructive manner and in the best interests of the Trust

•             ability to evaluate and interpret management information and other data/evidence

•             ability to play a strategic role to successfully effect change and meet the objectives of the trust

•             eagerness to reflect and learn, even in the role of trustee

Knowledge/experience

Specific professional knowledge and experience in at least one of the following:

•             charity law and governance

•             trusteeship or management of a complex organisation with multiple sites/subsidiaries

•             financial expertise § extensive expertise of school education in England

•             data analysis and/or research expertise § the management of change

•             monitoring and evaluating performance in the commercial and/or not for profit sectors

•             recruitment and human resources expertise, including employment legislation § business development experience/expertise.

•             risk management experience/expertise

•             property and estate management

•             marketing, media and PR Other requirements

•             willingness to attend meetings of the board and other meetings as required.

•             willingness to undertake training and participate in evaluation of the board’s work