Non-Executive Director/Trustee at North Star Community Trust

North Star Community Trust in Edmonton seeks two new non-executive directors/trustees with skills in education leadership or HR to join its board. The trust encourages applications from those who live locally and within five miles radius.

The opportunity

North Star Community Trust (the trust) was set up to run, manage and develop Cuckoo Hall Primary Academy, along with established primary schools in Edmonton (North London). Woodpecker Hall Primary Academy opened in September 2011 on a site adjacent to Cuckoo Hall. In a further response to local community demand, the board of trustees decided to open another primary academy called Kingfisher Hall. This academy opened in 2012.

The trust was approached by parents and carers many times over the years with the request to open a local secondary school so that their children can continue their excellent primary education in the local area. In July 2012 the government announced that the trust had been successful in its bid to open Heron Hall, a new secondary academy.

In 2014 the trust was contacted by the sponsors of Enfield Heights Primary Academy in Enfield Wash to take over the school. At the time, Enfield Heights was in the Requires Improvement category. Since then Enfield Heights has shown rapid improvement under the leadership of the trust and Ofsted subsequently rated the school Outstanding.

The board seeks two business leaders with board-level experience in:

• Education leadership OR
• HR

Throughout your term of office (typically 4 years, but this may vary between trusts), you will be an active contributor to key board decisions. Specifically, in the next 12 - 24 months the trust's key focus areas will be:

1. Delivering the best possible education for all of the children at all the trust's academies through a consistently high quality and cost-effective approach.
2. Accelerating student attainment and progress for all with outcomes exceeding national averages
3. Building trust-wide infrastructure and leadership capacity to support at least 3000 students
4. Making a significant contribution to the community as a key local employer-of-choice and a provider of community facilities

What's involved?

Board governance in education is a strategic, 'eyes on, hands off' commitment which typically involves attending c. six board meetings per year/6-8 hours' time per month.

You will be responsible for:

• Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
• Holding executive leaders to account for the educational performance of the organisation and its pupils, and the effective and efficient performance management of staff; and
• Overseeing the financial performance of the organisation and making sure its money is well spent

As an Academy Ambassador, you will join our ambassador network which provides resources, guidance, networking events and webinars to support you in your role.

All roles are pro bono.

People from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

About Academy Ambassadors

The Academy Ambassadors programme brings the expertise of the business world onto boards at single-academy and multi-academy trusts (SATs and MATs). Academy trusts exist to improve the outcomes of young people. At the highest levels of governance, they need highly skilled individuals with a variety of experiences to hold executive leadership teams to account. Insights from a wide-range of backgrounds, ensure that boards are able to make informed choices on decisions that impact the lives of children and staff.

The Academy Ambassadors Programme is service funded by the Department for Education, to match senior business leaders with academy trusts looking to strengthen their boards. By working together, inspirational educationalists and talented business leaders can provide a better future for the next generation.

What next?

Please register your interest now to be considered for the role.

When you select Apply you will be redirected to the Academy Ambassadors webpage where you will find a full role specification with more details of the opportunity and the trust, including details of how to apply for the position.

Please be aware the closing date may change if we have received sufficient applications.