Trustee with legal, education or land background

Organisation Overview

Exceed Academies Trust is an educational charity that runs schools on behalf of the Government. We are a cross phase multi-academy trust currently comprising of fourteen schools: ten primaries, one all-through (3-16), one special, and two alternative provision academies. Our family of schools are all located within the Bradford district and mostly serve communities with some of the highest levels of social and economic challenges in the city. Our schools are inclusive, community focused, and supportive. We make no excuses for outcomes and a number of our schools have traditionally been some of the highest performing both locally and nationally.

Exceed Academies Trust recognises its moral purpose to support schools and academies across the city and the region. Exceed Academies Trust is responsible for and runs the Bradford Teaching School Hub on behalf of the City.The Trust is also responsible for a SCITT (School Centre for Initial Teaching Training) and is an approved Apprenticeship Training Provider.

Role Details

Time commitment: The Board meets at least five times each academic year. Meetings commence at 4pm and run for up to two hours; they are planned well in advance to allow diary planning. Some preparation time should be considered to read and consider documentation distributed in advance of meetings. Some trustees may be invited to join a sub-committee, which meet three times a year.

Attendance: All board meetings are held using a hybrid model allowing attendance in-person or remotely. Physical attendance is appreciated occasionally throughout the year.

Role Description

Trustees – or non-executive directors - are both charity trustees and company directors of the academy trust. The core functions of their role are: ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction; holding executive leaders to account for the educational and financial performance of a charitable company funded by the public purse. 

The board of trustees manages the business of the academy trust and may exercise all the powers of the trust in compliance with its charitable objects, company and charity law.

Required Skills and Experience

Exceed Academies Trust is seeking an experienced and committed individual to join its Trust Board as a Non-Executive Director. The ideal candidate will bring valuable expertise and insights to support the Trust’s mission of providing high-quality education and delivering positive outcomes for children and young people across our academies.

We are particularly interested in candidates with:

• Legal Expertise: A strong background in legal practice, with the ability to advise on governance, compliance, risk management, and strategic decision-making.
• Knowledge of Education or Land and Buildings: An understanding of the education sector, including policy and operational frameworks, or experience related to land, property, and estate management.

As a Non-Executive Director, you will play a critical role in:

• Providing strategic oversight and holding executive leaders to account.
• Supporting the Trust in navigating legal complexities, particularly regarding governance, regulatory compliance, contracts, and property matters.
• Contributing to the effective stewardship of the Trust’s resources, ensuring that decisions align with its strategic vision and core values.

The role requires strong analytical skills, sound judgment, and a commitment to the Trust’s values and ethos. Previous experience in a governance or board-level role is desirable but not essential.

Every trustee is expected to abide by the seven principles of public life set out by Lord Nolan: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.

This is a voluntary position, and the successful candidate will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the education of children and young people across our Trust.

If you are passionate about education and can bring the skills and expertise we are looking for, we would love to hear from you.

In the interests of safeguarding and in accordance with DfE requirements, all trustee appointments will be subject to an enhanced disclosure and barring service check.

To apply for or express an interest in this position, please email bicenquiries@weareadvocate.org.uk