Trustee - Co-op Academies Trust in Manchester

Join Co-op Academies Trust as a Trustee to help empower teachers and young people across the North of England to work together for a better education and a better community.

Location: National, with board meetings in Manchester

Who we are

Co-op Academies Trust is a multi-academy trust supporting 38 academies across four regional hubs in the North of England. Our students range from 3-19 years of age and our academies include primary and secondary schools, post-16 previous provision, special schools and SEMH settings.

We are united by our shared ways of being:

• Be yourself, always
• Show you care
• Do what matters most
• Succeed together

As a co-operative, collaboration is central to how we work. Our goal is to improve the lives of young people and communities through a great education. Our sponsor, the Co-op, supports us in doing this and we work closely together to ensure that our students have access to a wide range of support and opportunities.

We’re committed to creating inclusive environments, where the talents and skills of our students are developed to the full and where children feel happy in school. Our curriculum is broad and balanced, covering a wide range of both academic and vocational skills and we have a strong focus on supporting students with SEND, to ensure that every young person can reach their full potential.

About the role

As a Trustee, you will bring your professional expertise and independent judgement to help sustain and strengthen our ‘high-support, high-challenge’ culture. You will play a vital role in holding the executive to account for educational and organisational performance, while providing thoughtful guidance as we continue to pursue excellence for every pupil.

The Board has collective responsibility for the strategic leadership and long-term success of the Trust. Working in close partnership with the executive team, Trustees ensure robust accountability, effective assurance and clarity of direction. Central to this is a shared commitment to ensuring that all pupils within Co-op Academies Trust receive a high-quality education that equips them with the knowledge, skills and character to thrive in life.

Key responsibilities include:

• Working collaboratively to shape, approve and monitor delivery against the Trust’s strategic priorities and improvement objectives.
• Ensuring financial probity, effective stewardship of public funds and long-term financial sustainability.
• Overseeing compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements, including those of the Department for Education, company law and charity law.
• Acting as a critical friend to the CEO and senior leadership team, offering both constructive challenge and informed support.
• Championing and safeguarding the Co-operative ways of being and values, ensuring they are embedded consistently across the Trust’s culture, decision-making and practice.

Through these responsibilities, Trustees contribute to strong governance, ethical leadership and improved outcomes for children and young people across the Trust.

Who we are looking for

We are seeking an individual with a strong understanding of the multi-academy trust landscape and a genuine commitment to effective governance. As a Trustee, you must be able to dedicate sufficient time, energy and intellectual rigour to the role, contributing actively to Board discussions and wider Trust activity.

The successful candidate will be well-positioned to support the next phase of our strategic development as we implement the forthcoming iteration of our plan, centred on striving for excellence across all our Academies.

In particular, we are looking for a Trustee with substantial experience in driving improvement in teaching and learning across a large and complex MAT. You will be able to draw on this expertise to provide informed support and robust challenge to the executive team as we build on our progress and secure even stronger outcomes for children and communities across Co-op Academies Trust.

You may bring experience such as:

• A current or former MAT CEO or executive leader with system-wide responsibility.
• A recognised system leader within education, with a track record of school improvement across multiple settings.
• A senior leader in education policy, with insight into national frameworks and reform.
• An experienced leader in SEND and inclusion, with expertise in improving provision and outcomes for pupils with additional needs.

Above all, we are looking for individuals who combine sector credibility with sound judgement, strategic thinking and a clear commitment to high standards, equity and the Co-operative values that underpin our Trust.

Peridot Partners and Co-op Academies Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and our client expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references before any final offer can be made.

To view the role description and person specification, please go to the ‘How to Apply’ tab above, fill in your details and download the candidate pack.

For further information or to arrange a confidential discussion, please contact our advising consultants at Peridot Partners.

We are making great progress, both in those academies that have been part of our Trust for a while as well as those that have joined more recently, but there is still much to do. So your knowledge, insight and challenge as a Trustee will be critical to the ongoing improvements we are seeking.

Thank you again for your interest in joining the Trust Board.