Trustee

United Learning is a Group of over 100 schools which aims to provide excellent education to children and young people across the country. We seek to improve the life chances of all the children and young people we serve and make it our mission to bring out 'the best in everyone' - pupils, staff, parents and the wider community. We uniquely comprise schools in both the state and the independent sectors and currently educate over 74,000 children and employ almost 10,000 adults.

Founded over 130 years ago, United Learning has, over the last 20 years, taken on the challenge of turning around some of the most problematic schools in the country, and grown to be the country's largest academy trust. Our approach to education is underpinned by a sense of moral purpose and commitment to doing what is right for children and young people. We believe in supporting our colleagues to achieve excellence and in acting with integrity in all our dealings within and beyond the Group. We believe the safety and welfare of all children and young people is paramount; we summarise this ethos as 'the best in everyone' which underpins our core values of Ambition, Confidence, Creativity, Respect, Enthusiasm, and Determination.

We are currently seeking a Trustee to join our Group Board, who will share collective responsibility for the effective governance and development of United Learning, setting our strategic direction and major policies in accordance with the Group's mission, vision and values. This is an exciting time to join the Trust as we look forward to delivering our new five-year strategy from 2026: our ambitions are to create the best schools to learn in, work in, join and to be the best contributors beyond our schools.

Our new Trustee will offer significant executive leadership experience from commercial businesses, likely at the Chief Executive level. Our ideal candidate will bring experience of leadership in large and complex organisations and will understand the challenges and opportunities of a geographically dispersed company. This is a key role on our Board.

Trustees will be expected to attend six Board Meetings per year (c. three-hour meeting + preparation) and should also join at least one of United Learning's Committees, which each hold meetings c. 3-4 times per year. In addition, there will be one annual Away Day with an overnight stay, usually in Cambridge, and a two-day Annual Leadership Conference in Manchester, which Trustees attend. Board meetings are normally in London in person, with one per year in Peterborough and possibly one held in a school.

To download further information on the role or to apply, please visit quoting reference 8139. The closing date for applications is 08:30 GMT on Thursday 11 th December.

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