Trustee / Non-Executive Director

About the organisation

Exceed Academies Trust is an educational charity that runs schools on behalf of the Government. We are a cross phase multi-academy trust currently comprising of fourteen schools: ten primaries, one all-through (3-16), one special, and two alternative provision academies. Our family of schools are all located within the Bradford district and mostly serve communities with some of the highest levels of social and economic challenges in the city. Our schools are inclusive, community focused, and supportive. We make no excuses for outcomes and a number of our schools have traditionally been some of the highest performing both locally and nationally. 

Exceed Academies Trust recognises its moral purpose to support schools and academies across the city and the region. Exceed Academies Trust is responsible for and runs the Bradford Teaching School Hub on behalf of the City.  The Trust is also responsible for a SCITT (School Centre for Initial Teaching Training) and is an approved Apprenticeship Training Provider.

Further information can be found on our website here: Exceed Academies Trust - Home

The Role

Trustees – or non-executive directors - are both charity trustees and company directors of the academy trust. The core functions of their role are: ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction; holding executive leaders to account for the educational and financial performance of a charitable company funded by the public purse. More information about the roles and responsibilities of multi-academy trustees can be found here: Academy trust governance guide - 4. Non-executive leadership - Guidance - GOV.UK

The board of trustees manages the business of the academy trust and may exercise all the powers of the trust in compliance with its charitable objects, company and charity law.

In the interests of safeguarding and in accordance with DfE requirements, all trustee appointments will be subject to an enhanced disclosure and barring service check.

Every trustee is expected to abide by the seven principles of public life set out by Lord Nolan: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.

The Trust seeks an enthusiastic individual to bring key skills and knowledge to enhance the Board in providing a high level of scrutiny, challenge and strategic direction. The ideal candidate will feel comfortable supporting the executive team and bringing challenge to the boardroom, asking questions to hold leadership to account.

Time Commitment

The Board meets at least five times each academic year. Meetings commence at 4pm and run for up to two hours; they are planned well in advance to allow diary planning. Some preparation time should be considered to read and consider documentation distributed in advance of meetings.

Some trustees may be invited to join a sub-committee, which meet three times a year.

All board meetings are held using a hybrid model allowing attendance in-person or remotely. Physical attendance is appreciated occasionally throughout the year.