Have you thought about how you can contribute to your community?

Or how you can make a positive, measurable impact on education and children’s lives?

Have you thought about volunteering in a governance role?

We are actively seeking volunteers from diverse backgrounds to join our governance structure as either Members, Trustees or Governors.

Members, Trustees and Governors play a vital role in raising school standards through strategic leadership and accountability. These roles provide critical challenge and support to leadership teams with the ultimate aim of driving up standards.

Governance roles provide an opportunity to develop a range of both new and existing skills while expanding your professional network, either using professional expertise in a specific capacity, or working on softer skills such as team working, leadership or negotiation.  As a Member, Trustee or Governor you will gain a fascinating insight into how schools work and how the education sector is changing and evolving.

Members

Members are akin to the shareholders of a company. They have the ability to appoint Trustees and the right to amend the Trust’s Articles of Association.  Their key purpose is to hold the Board of Trustees to account and ensure that the Trust is well run and well managed.

Trustees

The Board of Trustees are responsible for determining the overall strategic direction and development of the Trust through good governance and clear strategic planning, to ensure that it delivers the best possible outcomes for our children.  The Board ensures compliance with the legal and financial requirements under company and charity law, and under agreements made with the Secretary of State for Education. Trustees are responsible for:

• Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
• Holding the Trust’s senior leaders to account for educational standards and performance, the safeguarding and wellbeing of our children, and the implementation of the Trust’s strategy, and vision, ethos and strategic direction.
• Overseeing the financial performance of the organisation and making sure its money is well spent.

Governors

Academy Council Governors act as a critical friend to the Academy Head and represent the views of the community that each academy serves.  Governors are responsible for:

• Holding the Academy Head to account for the academy’s educational standards and performance, the safeguarding and wellbeing of children, and the implementation of the Trust’s strategy, and vision, ethos and strategic direction.
• Monitoring the educational performance of the academies and progress against the Academy Improvement Plan, reporting areas of strength, development and risk to the Trust Board.

For more information about our governance structure, please see our Governance page.

Who can become a Member, Trustee or Governor?

Almost anyone over 18 years of age can become a Member, Trustee or Governor.  There are no particular qualifications or requirements, other than a willingness and commitment to give time to the role and a capacity for working with other people.  You may have skills in one of the following areas, or could equally importantly add value to the Trust in other ways:

• Education
• Leadership
• Financial Management/Accountability
• Risk Management
• Estates Management
• Marketing & Communication

Suitability and vetting checks (including an enhanced DBS check) need to take place before you can be appointed, in line with legislation to keep children safe in education.  The Kite Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

We value and promote diversity and are committed to equality of opportunity for all; all appointments are made on merit.

How do I get involved?

For more information on how to apply, please contact clerk@kite.academy or call 01252 984930 (option 2)