Member at The Ryedale Learning Trust

Could you help to improve education in North Yorkshire by volunteering to become a member at a multi-academy trust? The Ryedale Learning Trust seeks one new member.

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

The Ryedale Federation is due to establish the Ryedale Learning Trust with effect from 1st February 2021. The trust is currently seeking three Non-Executive Directors/Trustees and one Member to help strengthen the areas of financial management, HR and law/legal frameworks during this exciting transition and to shape the future from federation into becoming an academy trust.

The Ryedale Learning Trust's schools are all located within a few miles of each other, along the stretch between Helmsley and Sinnington. The trust's three primary schools, Helmsley Community Primary, Kirkbymoorside Community Primary and Sinnington Primary, are all Ofsted rated 'Good', while the secondary school, Ryedale School, is Ofsted rated 'Outstanding'.

The trust employs c.150 staff and has approx. 1,180 pupils, with a budget of £6.80mn/p.a. The number of pupils entitled to Free School Meals (FSM) - an indicator of deprivation - Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and English as an Additional Language (EAL) are low and below the national average in all four schools within the trust.

Person specification

The board seeks one member with previous experience in

• CFO/Finance
• HR
• Legal/ Compliance

Applicants should have an extensive and demonstrable background in senior leadership roles, with strategic vision and knowledge of the non-executive director role. Candidates are expected to demonstrate the seven principles of public life set out by Lord Nolan.

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.

Further information on the member role at a multi-academy trust is available on the gov uk website.

Successful candidates will join a network of Ambassadors: experienced business leaders and professionals who have been appointed to board roles through the Academy Ambassadors Programme. All Ambassadors gain access to resources, guidance, networking events, our annual flagship conference, as well as webinars.

What next?

Please register your interest to be considered for the role.

A full trust specification is available at the academy ambassadors website.

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.