At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape the future of education by contributing to strategic decision-making and governance.
- Company: Agora Learning Partnership, a multi-academy trust focused on local children and community engagement.
- Benefits: Make a meaningful impact while gaining valuable experience in senior-level decision-making.
- Other info: Opportunity to build a non-executive portfolio and support career development.
- Why this job: Join a committed board and help drive growth and inclusion in education.
- Qualifications: Strong education background with expertise in primary curriculum or strategic leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 € per year.
Agora Learning Partnership is a Hertfordshire-based multi-academy trust currently comprising 10 primary schools, and with a new specialist SEND free school due to open in Potters Bar in the autumn. The trust serves around 2,800 pupils and employs approximately 476 staff across a relatively localised footprint, spanning Letchworth, Borehamwood, Welwyn and Watford. Its schools are characterised by strong outcomes above national averages and a consistently positive Ofsted profile.
Central to the trust’s identity is a clear ethos of ‘local decisions for local children’, with a strong emphasis on collaboration, inclusion and community engagement. The trust is seeking to appoint two new trustees as part of a proactive approach to succession planning and board development. With one trustee due to step down and longer-term plans to expand board capacity, this recruitment is not driven by immediate gaps but by a desire to strengthen governance ahead of future growth.
As a result, new trustees will join a stable, experienced and committed board, providing a supportive environment in which to contribute strategically and add value over time rather than responding to immediate pressures. In terms of skills, there is a clear requirement for an individual with a strong education background, ideally with expertise in primary curriculum, assessment and outcomes, and an understanding of the multi-academy trust context. This will support oversight of education performance and safeguarding.
A candidate with demonstrable current or recent experience within the academies sector – in particular in a leadership role within a MAT – or with recent experience as a trustee in a MAT is highly desirable. Alongside this, the trust is recruiting another trustee, the skills of whom may fit into any number of broad or specific areas, including but not limited to finance, HR, estates or other strategic leadership or general management expertise. Emphasis lies on candidates able to operate strategically and contribute to board‑level decision‑making.
A distinctive feature of Agora is its values‑led operating model, anchored in collaboration across governance and leadership. The trust’s ‘Together Strategy’ aligns these areas and the school communities through a shared commitment to improving life chances for children.
Agora faces several significant opportunities and challenges. The trust is planning for growth both internally and externally, including increasing pupil numbers, expanding its central capacity, and potentially welcoming new schools into the trust. At the same time, it must navigate tightening financial constraints across the sector. The opening of a new SEND free school marks a key strategic development, reflecting a deliberate move towards greater inclusion and diversification of provision. Trustees will play an important role in shaping this growth trajectory and ensuring that expansion is sustainable and aligned with the trust’s values.
Skills:- Finance
- Strategic Leadership
- HR
Type of establishment: Multi-academy trust
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.
Trustee/Director in Watford employer: SGOSS - Governors for Schools
Agora Learning Partnership is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to contribute to the educational landscape in Hertfordshire. With a strong emphasis on collaboration, inclusion, and community engagement, trustees will find themselves in a supportive environment that values strategic input and fosters professional growth. By joining a stable and experienced board, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of education for local children while gaining invaluable experience in governance and leadership.
Contact Detail:
SGOSS - Governors for Schools Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Trustee/Director in Watford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education sector, especially those involved with multi-academy trusts. They might have insights or even know about opportunities that aren't advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Get involved in local community events related to education. This not only shows your commitment but also helps you meet key players in the field. Plus, it’s a great way to demonstrate your passion for improving life chances for children.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on the latest trends and challenges in the education sector, particularly around governance and inclusion. Being well-informed will help you stand out as a strategic thinker who can contribute to board-level decision-making.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Trustee/Director in Watford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Education:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for education shine through. We want to see how your background aligns with our mission of improving life chances for children. Share specific examples of your experience in the education sector and how it has shaped your perspective.
Highlight Relevant Skills:Make sure to emphasise any skills that are relevant to the role, especially in areas like finance, HR, or strategic leadership. We’re looking for candidates who can contribute to board-level decision-making, so don’t hold back on showcasing your expertise!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and make sure your key messages stand out. This will help us quickly understand your qualifications and how you can add value to our board.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application is received and considered. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about our trust and what we stand for!
How to prepare for a job interview at SGOSS - Governors for Schools
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the specifics of Agora Learning Partnership and its ethos. Understand their commitment to local decisions for local children and how that shapes their strategic direction. Being able to discuss their recent initiatives, like the new SEND free school, will show your genuine interest and alignment with their values.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to highlight your relevant experience in education, particularly within a multi-academy trust context. If you've held leadership roles or have been a trustee before, be ready to share specific examples of how you've contributed to governance and strategic decision-making. This will demonstrate your capability to add value to the board.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street, so come prepared with insightful questions about the trust's future plans and challenges. Inquire about their strategies for growth and how they plan to navigate financial constraints. This not only shows your strategic thinking but also your commitment to being an active participant in their mission.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
Given Agora's values-led operating model, it's crucial to express your belief in collaboration and community engagement. Share examples from your past where you've successfully worked with diverse teams or stakeholders to achieve common goals. This will resonate well with their emphasis on teamwork and shared commitment to improving life chances for children.
