Trustees The Elliot Foundation Academies Trust

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Trustees The Elliot Foundation Academies Trust

The Elliot Foundation Academies Trust seeks three dedicated individuals to join our Board of Trustees to play a part in making a positive, lasting impact on the lives of thousands of children.

• Location: Hybrid with regular meetings in London

The Elliot Foundation Academies Trust (TEFAT) is a charitable multi-academy trust dedicated to reshaping primary education. With over 14,000 children across 36 schools in the West Midlands, East Anglia, and London, we are committed to fostering a nurturing and ambitious learning environment.

Our approach is simple yet powerful: put children first, equip teachers with the resources they need, and ensure that every child receives an education tailored to their needs. We believe in a broad, creative curriculum that inspires lifelong learning, empowering pupils to become confident, curious and engaged members of society.

We are looking for dedicated individuals to join our Board of Trustees. As a Trustee, you will help shape the future of education, ensuring our schools continue to thrive while upholding our values of inclusivity, kindness and excellence.

Join us in making a lasting impact on the lives of thousands of children.

Who we are

The Elliot Foundation Academies Trust (TEFAT) was founded to provide a safe and inclusive learning environment where children and educators can thrive. We believe that every child deserves an excellent education, regardless of background and that schools should be places where children feel valued, challenged and inspired.

Our 36 academies span across diverse communities in East Anglia, London, and the West Midlands. Each school is unique, yet all are united by our commitment to high standards, innovation, and child-centered learning. Unlike many multi-academy trusts, we resist a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, we empower our schools to develop curricula that meet the specific needs of their pupils while upholding our shared mission.

A distinctive feature of TEFAT is our emphasis on the arts. We believe that creativity is essential to a well-rounded education.

From major performances at the Royal Opera House to partnerships with leading arts organisations, we ensure that every child experiences the joy of artistic expression alongside academic excellence.

As a growing and ambitious Trust, we are looking for Trustees who share our passion for education and can bring expertise in governance, finance, risk management and educational leadership.

Together, we can continue to transform lives and communities through the power of education.

About the roles

Becoming a Trustee of TEFAT is a unique opportunity to contribute to a thriving multi-academy trust that is making a real difference in children's lives. As a Trustee, you will provide strategic leadership, governance and oversight to ensure that our schools deliver the highest standards of education while remaining financially and operationally sustainable.

Key responsibilities:

• Strategic direction: Shape the vision and strategy of the Trust, ensuring alignment with our values and educational objectives.
• Educational oversight: Monitor school performance, support high-quality teaching and champion initiatives that improve pupil outcomes.
• Financial stewardship: Oversee financial planning, ensuring that budgets are well-managed and resources are allocated effectively.
• Risk management: Identify and mitigate potential risks, ensuring compliance with statutory regulations and safeguarding best practices.
• Stakeholder engagement: Act as an ambassador for TEFAT, building relationships with parents, educators and community partners.

Time Commitment

Trustees attend six board meetings annually, along with sub-committee participation and school visits. Board and committee meetings begin at 08:00 am or 10:00 am and go on for maximum two hours (average 90 minutes).

The role is voluntary but offers an unparalleled opportunity to influence primary education on a national scale.

If you are passionate about education and governance and want to help shape the future of thousands of children, we'd love to hear from you.

Who we are looking for Educational leadership and governance

We seek individuals who are deeply committed to improving educational outcomes for children, particularly in primary education.

Whether you have experience as a headteacher, school governor, policymaker, or education strategist, your insights will help shape our approach to learning and development.

We welcome candidates with:

• A strong understanding of curriculum design, pedagogy and system leadership across multiple schools.
• Experience working within multi-academy trusts, local authorities, or educational charities.
• Senior leadership in other areas of the public sector, for example, the NHS or Emergency Services.
• A passion for inclusivity, ensuring that children from all backgrounds, including those with SEND, receive equal opportunities to succeed.

Your expertise will support our schools in providing innovative, high-quality education that prepares children for lifelong success.

Risk management and financial oversight

Effective governance relies on strong risk management and financial stewardship. We are particularly interested in individuals with experience in finance, law, corporate governance, or compliance.

Key areas of focus include:

• Ensuring financial sustainability and value for money.
• Identifying and managing risks related to safeguarding, operations, and regulatory compliance.
• Overseeing strategic planning and investment in school infrastructure and development.

Your skills will help protect the long-term stability of TEFAT while enabling us to continue delivering outstanding education across our academies.

Our golden rules

At The Elliot Foundation, we believe in fostering a positive and inclusive culture. While we welcome diverse perspectives, we uphold a few key norms that shape our approach:

• Put children first: Every decision we make must prioritise the learning and welfare of our pupils.
• Be safe: We share collective responsibility for the well-being of our community.
• Be kind & respect all: We celebrate diversity and encourage kindness in all interactions.
• Be open: We welcome fresh ideas. Accepting that we might be wrong is the heart of innovation.
• Forgive & learn: Mistakes are part of growth: own them, learn from them and move forward.
• Make a difference: Positive change starts with individual action.

By joining our Board, you will be part of an organisation that champions these values while driving meaningful improvements in education.

Peridot Partners and The Elliot Foundation 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.

For further information about the role, or to arrange a confidential discussion, please contact our advising consultants at Peridot Partners:

If you would like to know more about this role please contact Horatio April