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About Classics for All
We believe that delving into the ancient world – through ancient history, classical civilisation, Latin and Ancient Greek – is not only enjoyable but also profoundly beneficial for all pupils. It enhances their cultural awareness, sharpens their language and analytical skills, and boosts their aspirations and achievements.
We are currently developing a new strategy, and as a trustee you will have an opportunity to help shape and deliver our new vision.
Vision
A future where every young person can unlock the wisdom, wonder, and imagination of the ancient world - regardless of background or circumstance.
Mission
We believe that discovering the ancient world can transform lives.
That’s why we work to:
- Ignite curiosity and a lifelong love of learning through the stories, ideas, and cultures of the ancient world
- Raise aspirations and broaden horizons by connecting students with the richness of the past
- Build cultural capital, giving every child access to the knowledge and confidence to thrive
- Empower state schools and teachers to bring Classics to life in every classroom
- Champion the value of Classics as a vital part of a broad, rich, and inclusive education
Our governance
Our Board members are all passionate about changing young people’s lives through accessing Classics education. They are responsible for the strategy and good governance of the charity, working in partnership with the Chief Executive.
There are up currently nine members of our Board, including the Chair and Treasurer. Trustees serve a three-year term which can be renewed.
The Board meets for formal meetings, both in-person and virtually, four times a year. Along with other duties, whilst voluntary, this represents a sizeable time commitment and hard work.
Board committees
In addition to the Board, there is a Finance and Operations Committee who meet quarterly. There are some other operational committees that support different aspects of our work. The committees are small groups of Trustees and volunteers, who focus on particular areas of the charity in line with strategic developments and make recommendations.
Trustees will be encouraged to join a committee best suited to their skills on appointment to the Board. Each committee will be led by a Chairperson who is responsible for the overall running of their committee.
- Finance and Operations Committee: develops and delivers the financial strategy of the charity, including the budget, financial controls and fundraising strategy. It is also responsible for risk management.
- Remuneration Committee: has oversight of the pay process for staff.
- Nominations Committee: responsible for leading Trustee recruitment.
- Philanthropy Advisory Group: supports our fundraising through activating networks and sharing ideas to develop our income generation activities.
- Events Committee: supports the ideation and delivery of events supporting our charitable goals.
Responsibilities of a Trustee
The Board of Trustees is legally responsible for the charity – this is a significant responsibility and one that should not be taken lightly. Trustees have responsibility for ensuring the charity is well run, financially secure, and doing the work it is meant to be doing. There are specific legal and other duties. It is recommended you look at the Charity Commission ‘The Essential Trustee’ guidance, which can be found online here.
You can also view our profile on the Charity Commission website. If you want to find out more about our current Trustees, visit our website.
Trustees are volunteers; they are not paid. Reasonable expenses can, however, be reimbursed (e.g. to cover travel costs).
As a Trustee, you will be acting collectively as part of the Board of Trustees. Together, the Board is responsible for all of the points above.
Role Description
Trustees are expected to:
- set the vision, mission, values and objectives of the charity.
- develop the strategic direction of the charity; establish and monitor policies necessary for the proper governance of the charity’s activities.
- ensure that Classics for All operates in accordance with its governing documents, and is accountable to its regulators, funders, members and beneficiaries.
- maintain oversight of the management of the charity’s financial and other resources.
- support the Chief Executive.
- maintain oversight of risks faced by the charity.
- have regard for how the charity contributes to public benefit.
- appoint from its members representatives to other committees.
- ensure suitable representation of the charity to other bodies.
- promote Classics for All to external organisations, acting as spokespeople as necessary, and to review and develop partnerships with other organisations.
- to regularly appraise their own work, delegating responsibility to committees where necessary.
Skills
- We need a well-rounded Board with a diverse skill set. No one individual is expected to have experience in everything, therefore we are always on the lookout for individuals who bring a range of experiences and differing perspectives to the group.
- We are additionally interested in those who can bring experience from the legal world, digital transformation and marketing and communications.
Diversity and inclusion
As a social mobility charity, being inclusive is a fundamental value of Classics for All. We welcome applications from all eligible people and are particularly keen to receive applications from those who are from communities that are less represented within charity governance and Classics education. We are particularly interested in receiving applications from those who attended a UK state-maintained school, regardless of if Classics was offered at their own school. You do not need to be a Classicist to join our Board – there will be no Latin tests!
Other requirements
There are just a few more requirements. We are seeking candidates who:
- will be aged 18+ on 1 September 2025.
- are allowed by law (both company law and charity law) to be a Trustee. This means that you must not be disqualified from being a Trustee or Director. Individuals are disqualified if:
- they have an unspent conviction for offences of dishonesty or deception (the same goes for attempting, aiding or abetting these offences);
- they are currently declared bankrupt or subject to bankruptcy restrictions or an interim order;
- they are subject to a debt relief order, a debt relief restrictions order or interim order;
- they have been disqualified from being a company director;
- they have unspent convictions for terrorism-related offences, money laundering or bribery;
- they have violated certain Commission orders relating to finances or property;
- they have committed misconduct in public office, perjury or perverted the course of justice;
- they have disobeyed an order or direction of the Commission on application to the High Court;
- they have committed civil contempt of court relating to false statements;
- they are a designated person for reasons linked to terrorist activity by the Treasury;
- Individuals who are subject to notification requirements under the Sexual Offences Act 2013
- are not subject to a disqualification Order under the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000 or Protection of Vulnerable Adults List.
How to apply
The closing date for applications is Monday 4 August 2025 at 12noon. Please complete thieonline form. The questions you will need to answer are listed below for ease of preparation. You will also be asked some diversity monitoring information. Please be assured that this information will not be used as part of the screening process.
Unfortunately, we are unable to give feedback to applicants not shortlisted for interview. We actively try to provide feedback to candidates interviewed.
By submitting an application, you are giving permission for your personal information to be stored and processed for the purpose of arriving at selection decisions, for it to be used as a basis for a personal record if you are successful, and for sensitive data to be anonymised and used for the purpose of diversity monitoring.
Questions
Each question has a maximum character allowance of 1,500 characters (approx. 300 words)
- What motivates you to support the teaching of Classics in state schools, and how does this align with your personal or professional experiences?
We are particularly interested in how your experiences have shaped your views on educational inequality and social mobility. Please share any relevant experiences that have influenced your commitment to widening access to Classics.
- Trustees play an active role in the governance and strategic direction of the charity. Can you describe a time when you’ve taken on a leadership or governance role –formally or informally – and what you learned from that experience?
We are looking for evidence of your willingness to contribute time and energy to the work of the Board, and how you approach collaboration, decision-making and accountability.
- What unique perspectives, skills, or lived experiences would you bring to the Classics for All Board, and how would you hope to contribute to our future development?
We are especially keen to hear from candidates with expertise in marketing and communications, legal, or digital transformation, but we also welcome other skills and experiences that could enrich our Board’s diversity and effectiveness.
This role is advertised as part of TPP's Free Giving Back Services. This volunteer advertisement copy has been supplied to TPP and applicants apply direct to the organisation. Please contact the organisation directly if you have any questions about this volunteer role.
Thank you!
Luminary provides training, employment and community to some of the most disadvantaged women in London. We work alongside women who have experienced gender-based violence and live with ‘multiple disadvantage’ - a term that recognises that many women experience multiple forms of social and economic disadvantage which interlink, intersect and
drive a cycle of deprivation. Our primary focus is helping these women achieve employment and reach independence - breaking the cycle of poverty, violence and disadvantage, once and for all.
OVERVIEW
The Charities Act 1993 defines charity trustees as those responsible under the charity's governing document for controlling the administration and management of the charity. For Luminary Limited, the trustees oversee and support the operations of the charity, our Employability Support Programme, 1-to-1 holistic support, Mentor Scheme & next steps Progression Support Programme.
We work in collaboration with, but independently of, the Board of Directors of the business, Luminary Bakery Limited, who oversee the governance of the bakery, café business and commercial operations.
**Please note: Due to the role responsibilities, it is a Genuine Occupational Requirement that the post holder is female, permitted under Schedule 9, part 1 of the Equality Act 2010**
How we achieve our Mission
We use baking as a tool to guide women towards employability and independence. Over our two-year programme, women learn to bake, gain a catering qualification and develop transferable skills such as budgeting, interview techniques, working as a team, and resilience. Women gain valuable work experience through our sister organisation, Luminary
Bakery, as well as being paired with a volunteer mentor who helps her develop her career next steps. However, our programme goes far beyond job skills. We offer access to highly-trained counsellors and each woman is supported by a dedicated Progression Support Worker to help her navigate the broader challenges she will face including housing and debt.
THE ROLE OF LUMINARY LIMITED’S BOARD OF TRUSTEES
At its simplest, the role of the Trustee Board is to receive assets from donors, safeguard them and apply them to the charitable purposes of Luminary Limited. The Trustee Board must always act in the best interests of Luminary Limited, exercising the same standard of duty of care that a prudent person would apply if looking after the affairs of someone for
whom they have responsibility. The Trustee Board must act as a group and not as individuals.
DUTIES OF A TRUSTEE BOARD MEMBER
The duties of a Trustee Board member are to:
Ensure that Luminary Limited complies with its Articles of Association, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations.
Ensure that Luminary Limited pursues its objects as defined in its governing document.
Ensure Luminary Limited pursues its objects as defined in its governing document.
Ensure Luminary Limited applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objects.
Contribute actively to the Trustee Board by giving firm strategic direction to Luminary Limited, setting overall policy, defining goals, setting targets, and evaluating performance against agreed targets.
Safeguard the good name and values of Luminary Limited.
Ensure the financial stability of Luminary Limited by opening up its network.
Stay up to date with matters of charity law and issues affecting Luminary.
In addition to the above statutory duties, each Trustee should use any specific skills, knowledge or experience they have to help the Trustee Board reach sound decisions, and to support Luminary Limited staff when necessary. This may involve leading discussions, identifying key issues, providing advice and guidance on new initiatives, and evaluating or offering advice on other areas in which the Trustee has insight, experience or expertise.
DIVERSITY IN LUMINARY LIMITED’S BOARD OF TRUSTEES
We are committed to building a diverse team and seek to be representative of those we are supporting, so we would especially like to hear from applicants from a wide range of backgrounds, including the global majority. We also recognise the importance of lived experience in all roles within our organisation, and therefore welcome applications from
those with lived experience of disadvantage or gender-based violence.
Diversity brings together the rich mix of qualities that make a healthy and effective board, and therefore allows us to work to the best of our ability for Luminary Limited. Luminary Ltd and Luminary Bakery were originally established and founded as part of the Christian church community and were inspired by their faith to create opportunities for women who experienced disadvantage. Luminary supports applicants of all or no faiths and continues to be respectful of all faiths and beliefs, offering an inclusive space for everyone.
MINIMUM TIME COMMITMENT OF BEING A LUMINARY TRUSTEE
Trustees are expected to attend all board meetings which are held four times a year on weekday evenings, with some shorter meetings in between as necessary. The meetings last approximately two hours and are usually in Camden, London (physical attendance is preferred, but flexibility can be given in certain circumstances). Trustees are also expected to
attend the yearly Graduation Ceremony and 1-2 other social events, including Luminary staff gatherings.
In addition, each Trustee must:
Be committed to the mission of Luminary Limited.
Be able to commit for a minimum of three years on the Board.
Be willing to meet the minimum time requirement.
Have integrity and independent judgement.
Be able to think creatively and speak their mind.
Have an understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship.
Be able to work effectively as a member of a team and take decisions for the good of Luminary Limited.
Trustees:
May be asked to join a board sub-committee, which would meet in between board
meetings.
Are expected to attend some training sessions.
Review policies and other documentation relating to charity governance.
Are invited to attend trainee graduations and other social events.
Can claim out-of-pocket expenses incurred in travelling to meetings.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Following an audit of the current skills & expertise on the board, Luminary are seeking five new Trustees with experience in the following areas:
Legal experience and current practice, primarily in employment and charity law, to be able to guide the Board and CEO on legal matters informally and liaise with Luminary’s lawyers on an ad-hoc basis to provide support as needed.
Experience in policy work and advocacy on violence against women and girls and/or related social justice issues.
Experience of charity governance, including growing and scaling up a charity.
Building and drawing on a fundraising network or fundraising experience to secure further investment support.
Safeguarding expertise and experience to be able to support the Board and staff in ensuring appropriate safeguarding measures are in place.
Personal Attributes
Able to work collaboratively with colleagues, stakeholders and beneficiaries
Be passionate about Luminary’s purpose and vision for growth, and commitment to the organisation
Be an effective communicator
Be a strategic thinker
Able to act decisively and be responsive
Be willing to use connections to promote and advance the work of Luminary Limited
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Help transform access to classical education in state schools. Join Classics for All as a Trustee and support our mission to advance social mobility and educational equity across the UK.
Classics for All is a national charity working to ensure that every young person - regardless of background - has the opportunity to study Latin, Ancient Greek, ancient history and classical civilisation. Since 2010, we’ve supported over 1,300 state schools and reached more than 185,000 pupils, many in areas of high deprivation.
We are now seeking new Trustees to join our engaged and collaborative Board as we enter an exciting new phase of growth. Our focus is on expanding our reach, deepening our impact, and embedding social mobility and inclusion at the heart of everything we do.
We are particularly interested in individuals who bring:
- A strong commitment to educational equity and social justice
- Lived experience of the barriers we aim to address
- Skills in legal, digital transformation, or marketing and communications
- Strategic thinking and a collaborative mindset
We welcome applications from first-time trustees and are especially keen to hear from people based outside London and the South East, and from backgrounds currently underrepresented in the charity sector and Classics education.
This is a general trustee role. All Trustees contribute to strategic planning, support the executive team, and act as ambassadors for our mission. Board meetings are held quarterly (mostly online, with one in-person meeting per year), and we host an annual away day.
If you believe in the power of education to change lives - and want to help make classical subjects accessible to all - we’d love to hear from you.
Registered Charity
6 - 10
We want a future where every child can unlock the wisdom, wonder, and imagination of the ancient world, regardless of background or circumstance.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.