Co-op Academies Trust

We are looking to recruit enthusiastic and committed people who can help strengthen local governance at our academies within West Yorkshire. We are a part of the Co-op Academies Trust, a Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) of 27 schools across Greater Manchester, Leeds, Bradford, Stoke and Merseyside. Our Trust has been recognised by the Sutton Trust Charity as one of the top performing MATs for disadvantaged students and is dedicated to changing the lives of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds in the north of England through great education. Please feel free to explore our website to see what our Trust have been up to recently: https://www.coopacademies.co.uk/   

We have 13 academies within the West Yorkshire region and we are currently looking for Community Governors to join a number of our Academy Governing Councils (AGC). The AGCs are supported by a governance team and have a wealth of training resources available to support in their role. 

We welcome all applications and are particularly interested in increasing diversity in our AGC’s. The only requirement is that you will be a minimum of 18 years old. 

What do you get out of the role?
- Gain relevant and transferable board level experience
- Opportunity to undertake a link governor role (eg Finance, Health and Safety or Safeguarding Link Governor to name a few) and develop your professional skills (eg data analysis, report writing, strategic planning). 
- Opportunity to develop leadership skills, through the role of Vice Chair, Chair.
- Access to extensive internal training sessions derlivered by senior Co-op Colleagues as well as access to the NGA and NGA learning link.
- Support from the central Governance team
- Satisfaction of giving back to the community

What we’re looking for:
- A commitment to the role (a minimum of 6 x 2 hour meetings a year - 1 per half term, and minimum 3 link governor visits to the academy per academic year)
- A desire to develop your own skills and knowledge
- A minimum age of 18 years old
- No previous experience in governance required

Above all else - we want enthusiasm and commitment. Knowledge and skills can be developed and supported by the team but enthusiasm and commitment cannot!

If you’d like to discuss the opportunity further please do get in touch.
 
*Applicants will be asked for 2 references before they are appointed and a DBS check will be carried out after a successful appointment.