trustee / director

Brighter Futures Educational Trust is seeking a Chair of Trustees to join the Board at an exciting stage of growth. Established when Larwood School became an academy in 2016, the Trust now provides high-quality SEND education across Stevenage, Baldock and Dunstable, including outreach support, the innovative Space Hub provision, and Brandles School, a secondary special school. Financially stable with strong reserves, the Trust is expanding through satellite provisions and an additional school in Bedfordshire, while remaining firmly focused on inclusive, high-quality education that transforms the lives of children and young people with additional needs.

They are seeking candidates with strategic leadership experience. Ideal candidates might have previous experience chairing, in c-suite leadership roles, or delivering high level strategic direction. This voluntary role is suited to individuals with strategic vision, strong interpersonal skills and a passion for improving life chances for disadvantaged children. Trustees are expected to provide effective challenge and support to the executive team, engage regularly through mainly remote meetings, and contribute to the Trust's evolving governance as it grows.

What does the role include?

As a trustee/director your key responsibilities are to ensure clarity of vision, ethos, and strategic direction; to hold executive leaders to account - both for the educational performance of the organisation and its pupils and the effective and efficient performance management of staff; and to oversee the organisation's financial performance to ensure its funds are directed to the best possible educational outcomes for young people. By volunteering as a trustee/director you will be responsible for contributing to the strategic decision-making of the board, helping the trust to realise immediate and long-term goals, and ultimately ensuring transparency, accountability, and challenge.

What are the benefits?

Volunteering on an academy trust board is a meaningful way to shape young people's futures and strengthen education in your community. Trustees play a vital role in setting strategic direction and holding executive leaders to account - ensuring schools deliver the best outcomes. Alongside making a tangible impact, you'll gain valuable experience in senior-level decision-making. This is a great opportunity to support your career development, build a non-executive portfolio, and give back to education.