Member role at Great Academies Education Trust (GAET)

Could you help to improve education in Tameside by volunteering to become a member at a multi-academy trust?  Great Academies Education Trust seeks two new members.

Members provide independent oversight to the work of the board of trustees to ensure suitable accountability for decision making and strategy. As multi-academy trusts (MATs) grow and develop, they face significant challenges. This role enables professionals to use skills and experience gained throughout their career to help trusts across England and improve the life chances of young people. All roles are pro bono.

The opportunity

Great Academies Education Trust (GAET) is a multi-academy trust (MAT) with academies in Tameside and Rochdale (Greater Manchester).  It comprises three secondaries – Copley Academy, Middleton Technology School and Great Academy Ashton - and one primary, Silver Springs Primary Academy. The trust serves communities in which there is considerable deprivation and the percentage of learners eligible for the Pupil Premium Grant is high (up to 50%). There are a significant number of learners within the trust for whom English is an additional language, particularly at Great Academy Ashton. The trust seeks to drive improvement in pupil outcomes and develop the highest quality of leadership across all academies.

Person specification

The board seeks two members with previous experience in

• Corporate Governance, or
• Charity Governance or
• Non-executive/ Trustee roles

What’s involved?

Members have a similar role to the shareholders in a company limited by shares. They provide high-level oversight and scrutiny of the work of the trust board.

Most notably, members:

• define the trust’s charitable object and governance structure;
• amend the articles of association;
• appoint or remove trustees;
• appoint the trust’s auditors and receive the trust’s annual audited accounts; and, ultimately,
• dissolve the academy trust if required.

Members will typically meet once per year with preparation time required. This translates to a commitment of around two hours per month.

What next?

Please send a copy of your CV and details of your location to us, either through this website or directly to academyambassadors@newschoolsnetwork.org.

A full trust specification is available at https://www.academyambassadors.org/board-opportunities.

People from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

We strongly recommend applying as early as you can to have the best possible chance of being considered as we may change the closing date if we have received sufficient applications.