We are delighted that you are considering joining the UST team.
One of our core values is Empowering Communities, which is why we are always looking to create positive and purposeful partnerships with individuals from across our local communities.
We are ceaselessly inspired by the level of support and dedication that people are willing to give on behalf of our pupils, working to ensure that they receive the best possible education and opportunities.
What does it mean to be a part of UST?
By joining UST in the capacity of Governor, Trustee or Member you are joining a visionary organisation that lives and breathes its core values. To us, these words are not just words, but what drives us to fulfil our purpose as a Multi-Academy Trust.
Our Vision
Our Vision is: Where collaboration breeds transformation
Guided by and working with our Trust Partners:
The Trust is a family of inclusive schools where collaborative partnerships deliver a transformational education which empowers our pupils and the communities they come from to realise their full potential. A culture of high expectations nurtures a drive to achieve excellence and to take ownership of future academic and vocational learning paths in order to equip our pupils as global citizens and inspire their communities.
Values: The UST Guarantee
Achieving Excellence through Transformational Education that Empowers Communities.
Achieving Excellence
The Trust inspires each member of our learning community to be ambitious, to realise their potential and to succeed academically and vocationally.
Transformational Education
The Trust ensures that the dynamic curricula and pastoral offers of our schools are enriched by the civic leadership and research from our university, public and private Trust partners.
Empowering Communities
The Trust strives to equip all pupils and staff with the skills to transform their lives, empower communities, and excel in our global society.
Governor
The role of a Governor carries a unique responsibility in school settings. It is important to note that this is a school-based role and not a position that operates across the Trust. As a Governor, you would help your school to run effectively, acting as a critical friend to school leadership in terms of shaping vision, advancing strategy and overseeing financial performance.
What qualifications are required?
There are no qualifications required for the role and any person is eligible to be appointed as long as they do not meet any of the disqualification criteria.
What does the role include?
The core functions of the governing board are:
- To provide local oversight.
- Ensure that local actions and decisions align to the overall Trust vision, ethos and strategic direction.
- Holding senior leaders to account for the educational performance of the organisation, its pupils, and the performance management of staff.
- Working with the local community with the school as a key focal point.
How long is the term of office?
The term of office for all Governors is four years.
What training is available?
We aim to ensure that all new Governors receive a comprehensive and supportive induction including a wide suite of online training resources. In addition to this there are occasional requests to attend training relating to the role, both as Governor and in lead link positions.
In instances where Governors are new to the school or role and feel it would be useful experienced Governors can be provided as mentors for the initial period to assist with the transition to the role.
What next?
If you are interested in becoming a Governor, we would ask that you register your interest through the website here and we will then ask you to submit the following documents for consideration by the;
- A copy of your CV
- A completed statement of interest with two referees
- A completed skills and experience form
Trustee
The Trust Board is comprised of Trustees nominated by our lead partners and Non-Nominated Trustees (also referred to as Co-Opted Trustees), who are welcomed as valued members of the UST community and play a vital role in ensuring that the Trust Board and the various Committees have the necessary skills and experience to support and continue the high standards that we set ourselves.
What qualifications are required?
There are no qualifications required for the role and any person is eligible to be appointed as long as they do not meet any of the disqualification criteria.
What does the role include?
The core functions of the Trust Board are:
- Ensuring the achievement of the Trust’s charitable objectives.
- Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction.
- Holding executive leaders to account for the educational performance of the organisation and its pupils, and the effective and efficient performance management of staff.
- Overseeing the financial performance of the organisation and making sure its money is well spent.
How long is the term of office?
The term of office for all Trustees is four years.
How regularly does the Board meet?
The Trust Board usually meet 4 times a year, and currently timings are set for meetings to take place between 15.00 and 17.00. Meeting locations do vary across the Trust sites and include virtual meetings on occasion. If needed, any additional meetings will be planned and, unless there are extraordinary circumstances, seven days’ notice will be given.
Trustees are also occasionally required to visit the Trust sites during the day for monitoring visits and are actively encouraged to support Trust events and activities, where possible.
What training is available?
We aim to ensure that all new Trustees receive a comprehensive and supportive induction including a wide suite of online training resources. In addition to this there are occasional requests to attend training relating to the role, both as Trustee and in lead link positions.
In instances where Trustee are new to the school or role, and feel it would be useful, experienced Trustees can be provided as mentors for the initial period to assist with the transition to the role.
What next?
If you are interested in becoming a Trustee, we would ask that you register your interest through the website here and we will then ask you to submit the following documents for consideration by the;
- A copy of your CV
- A completed statement of interest with two referees
- A completed skills and experience form
Member
Members have a similar role to shareholders of a company. In summary, they are the custodians of governance, playing an ‘eyes on, hands off’ role. They have the power to appoint and remove some Members and Trustees and they hold the Trustees to account. They may amend the Articles of Association (with Secretary of State approval), appoint the external auditors and they receive the annual audited accounts. Members have the power to change the Trust’s name and ultimately to dissolve the Trust.
What qualifications are required?
There are no qualifications required for the role and any person is eligible to be appointed as long as they do not meet any of the disqualification criteria.
What does the role include?
Members play a limited but crucial role in safeguarding academy trust governance, specifically the Members must:
- Assure themselves that the governance of the trust is effective
- Assure themselves that Trustees are acting in accordance with the trust’s charitable object(s).
- In the case of failing in the above, use their powers to step in.
The first Members are those that were the signatories to the memorandum of association which is drawn up when the academy trust is first established and agreed the academy trust’s first articles of association including the academy trust’s charitable purpose.
Members should not be involved in the day-to-day business of the academy trust and must ensure they do not assume the powers of the Academy Trustees. However, there are a number of key responsibilities which sit with the Members, most notably:
- To appoint and remove Members
- To appoint and remove Trustees
- To direct Trustees where the Trustees are unwilling or unable to act in the best interests of the Trust and failing to carry out the Trust’s core function or is acting unlawfully
- Amend the Articles of Association
- Appoint and remove external auditors.
