Trustee – Education specialist

Overview

“To be able to play even a small part in helping to improve the life chances of six thousand young people, and especially those youngsters facing greater challenges, is an enormous privilege.” Ed Wydenbach, Chair of Trustees, Minerva Learning Trust

Minerva Learning Trust believes in the power of strong governance and the important role this plays in delivering the best possible education for our students. We are therefore looking for committed and like minded individuals to join our Board of Trustees.

What Does a Trustee Do?

A Trustee sits upon the Trust Board, they are the decision makers for the Trust and are the legal accountable body.

They support and challenge the Trust Executive leaders to ensure the best possible education for our students and to ensure compliance with the DfE Academy Trust Handbook, Charity Law and DfE Funding Agreement.

A Trustee would support the Trust by attending regular meetings with adequate preparation, as well as becoming a positive, visible face and voice for the Trust within the community.

As our Trust operates as a charity, Trustees are defined as charity trustees and must uphold charity law requirements. You must be able to objectively direct the Trust, supporting decisions which will best enable to charity to reach its long term goals. Decisions must be informed, balanced and free from bias.

It is unlawful to offer support to a Trust if your personal interests or loyalties would benefit from a particular strategic direction. For more information on conflicts of interest or conflicts of loyalty, read our Other Interests section.

Level of Commitment

Time in Office:

Appointments are initially for one year, followed by a review and provided both parties are happy, the term can be extended for a further three years.

Meetings:

Trustees are expected to attend two meetings, per term (minimum) as well as ad hoc meetings to address any urgent business. Time must be adequately reserved to prepare for these meetings.

Community:

We like for our Trustees to become recognisable figureheads for our Trust, therefore it is expected that you will attend school and Trust events where possible.

Financial:

The Trust Board shall set out a policy for payment of any expenses incurred by Trustees in the course of their duties, subject to prior application and approval by the Chief Financial Officer.

Qualities and Values

We expect our Trustees to posses and uphold the following personal qualities and values:

Personal qualities

• commitment to our mission, vision and values
• commitment to the education and welfare of children and young people
• commitment to equal opportunities and the promotion of equality and diversity
• independence of thought and sound judgment
• ability to work as part of a team
• commitment to seek and take account of the views of stakeholders (e.g. parents/carers and students)
• respect for the work and views of other Trustees and staff
• willingness to devote time, enthusiasm and effort to theduties and responsibilities of a Trustee
• willingness to make and stand by collective decisions, evenif they offered an alternative view during discussions

Aptitude and skills

• demonstrate understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of being a Trustee
• ability to challenge current thinking, the method of governance and management of the 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 and undertake any identified training

Knowledge/experience

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

• charity law and governance
• trusteeship or management of a complex organisation with multiple sites/subsidiaries
• finance
• school education in England
• data analysis and/or research
• the management of change
• monitoring and evaluating performance in the commercial and/or not for profit sectors
• recruitment and human resources, including employment legislation
• business development
• risk management
• property and estate management
• marketing, media and PR

Trustee Eligibility

In order to be considered for a role with Minerva Learning Trust you must be able to agree to, and uphold the following statements.

Minimum age

You must be at least 16 years old to be a Trustee of a charitable company or a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), unless the charity’s governing document says you must be older. You must be at least 18 to be a trustee of any other type of charity.

Employment status

You must not be employed by the Trust.

Disqualification

You must not act as a Trustee if you are disqualified under the Charities Act, unless your disqualification has been waived by the Commission. Reasons for disqualification include:

• disqualified as a company director
• have an unspent conviction for an offence involving dishonesty or
• deception (such as fraud)
• undischarged bankrupt (or subject to sequestration in Scotland), or have a current composition or arrangement including an individual voluntary arrangement (IVA) with your creditors
• removed as a Trustee of any charity by the Commission (or the court) because of misconduct or mismanagement
  on the sex offenders’ register

Diversity

Minerva Learning Trust prides itself in promoting and celebrating diversity and so, we encourage applications for all positions without regard to age, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, marital status or any other legally protected status.

Other Interests

It is also important to assess any conflicts which may occur prior to submitting an application. An application will be declined if there is found to be:

Conflict of Interest

Benefits to Trustees – There is a potential financial or measurable benefit directly to a Trustee, or indirectly through a connected person.

Conflict of Loyalty

A Trustee’s duty to the Trust may compete with a duty or loyalty they owe to another organisation or person. A conflict of loyalty could also arise where the religious, political or personal views could interfere with the ability of the Trustee to decide the issue, only in the best interests of the Trust.

Apply Now

Expression of interest forms for available Trustee positions can be downloaded from our website:

WWW.MINERVALEARNINGTRUST.CO.UK

A full DBS Safeguarding check will be undertaken for successful applicants.