About Action Tutoring
Action Tutoring is a national education charity founded in 2011, committed to ensuring that no child’s life chances are limited by their socio-economic background. Working across 11 hubs in England, the charity partners with primary and secondary schools to provide high-quality, curriculum-aligned tutoring in English and maths for pupils at risk of leaving school without reaching expected standards. By harnessing a network of trained volunteer tutors, Action Tutoring delivers personalised academic support to those who would otherwise be unable to access it.
The need for the charity’s work is significant. Disadvantaged pupils are, on average, 18 months behind their peers by the end of secondary school, and the attainment gap is now at its widest in 12 years. In 2024, only 46% of disadvantaged primary pupils met expected standards, compared with 67% of their non-disadvantaged peers.
Action Tutoring’s impact is clear. In 2023–24, pupils who received at least 10 tutoring sessions achieved markedly improved outcomes:
- Primary pupils were 15 percentage points more likely to meet expected reading standards and 11 percentage points more likely in maths
- Secondary pupils were nearly nine percentage points more likely to pass their maths GCSE
During this period, the charity supported 42,487 pupils, delivered more than 61,000 hours of tutoring, and engaged nearly 2,000 volunteer tutors nationwide. Its work is underpinned by diverse funding streams, including partnerships with organisations such as the Education Endowment Foundation and the Inflexion Foundation.
With a team of over 50 staff operating from a London head office and across regional hubs, Action Tutoring fosters a flexible, inclusive working culture grounded in social mobility, integrity, collaboration and evidence-based practice. The charity has been recognised for its commitment to staff wellbeing, partnership working and inclusivity, and maintains a strong focus on safeguarding and continuous learning.
Action Tutoring is now entering a pivotal period as it develops its next organisational strategy. This includes strengthening partnerships with schools and multi-academy trusts, expanding its reach to support more pupils facing disadvantage, and exploring how digital innovation and artificial intelligence can further enhance its tutoring model. Further detail on this strategic work can be found here.
Role specification
Trustees play a central role in shaping Action Tutoring’s long-term vision, supporting the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Senior Leadership Team, and ensuring strong governance across safeguarding, finance, strategy and risk. Working collectively, the Board provides constructive challenge and support to ensure the charity remains financially sustainable, evidence-led and focused on delivering meaningful impact for disadvantaged pupils.
Main responsibilities include:
- Ensuring that Action Tutoring pursues its mission and charitable objectives for public benefit, and that all strategic decisions reinforce this purpose
- Contributing to the formulation, oversight and review of the organisation’s strategic plan, ensuring it is ambitious, sustainable and underpinned by clear priorities for impact and growth
- Supporting and challenging the Senior Leadership Team and wider Board to ensure that strategic plans are implemented effectively and that progress is measured and evaluated
- Ensuring compliance with Action Tutoring’s governing document, charity law and regulatory requirements, including robust safeguarding practice in line with statutory guidance such as Keeping Children Safe in Education
- Acting at all times in the best interests of the charity, upholding its values, championing its work, and serving as an advocate with external stakeholders
- Providing stewardship and oversight of the charity’s financial management, ensuring resources are used responsibly, risks are identified and mitigated, and long-term sustainability is maintained
- Holding the CEO and senior team to account for organisational performance, safeguarding effectiveness, programme delivery, impact evaluation and cultural alignment
- Reviewing data, financial information and operational reporting to ensure transparency, rigorous scrutiny and organisational accountability
- Bringing reasonable care, skill and professional expertise to the role, including preparing thoroughly for meetings, attending regularly, and applying relevant insight—for example, in safeguarding or multi-academy trust governance—to provide informed, strategic challenge and guidance
Person specification
Action Tutoring seeks to appoint two new Trustees to its Board: one bringing senior leadership experience within schools or multi-academy trusts (MATs) and who can act as the Trustee point of contact for safeguarding oversight, working closely with the internal team. The other will bring strategic insight into educational technology and artificial intelligence (AI). Both individuals will be driven, values-led and collaborative, with a deep commitment to improving outcomes for young people facing disadvantage. They will bring a strong understanding of the barriers faced by disadvantaged children.
Education Trustee:
The successful candidate will bring senior leadership experience from the education sector, and their professional background will equip them with a nuanced understanding of the challenges facing disadvantaged pupils and the school settings in which they learn. They will have strong safeguarding knowledge and be willing to act as the Board’s first point of contact for the Designated Safeguarding Lead and wider team, providing informed advice and scrutiny. They will offer insight into how Action Tutoring’s model aligns with school-based strategies for raising attainment and addressing disadvantage, and how the charity can strengthen its partnerships with schools, education leaders and MATs to support sustainable growth. From time to time, they may also act as a mentor to the Programme Director.
EdTech/AI Trustee:
The EdTech/AI Trustee will be a strategic leader with a strong understanding of artificial intelligence and its potential application within education. They will bring awareness of emerging AI trends and the commercial implications for programme delivery, supporting the development of Action Tutoring’s AI tutor pilot, planned for 2026. While not required to be a technical specialist, they will be able to connect the charity to the right expertise when needed. Candidates may come from big tech, advisory, consulting or large-scale project environments, with EdTech experience valuable but not essential. They will provide strategic insight into how Action Tutoring’s model could evolve to harness AI responsibly, advise on technology-related risk, contribute to the organisation’s AI steering group, and act as a connector to key stakeholders who can support the charity’s long-term digital strategy.
Across both roles, Trustees will be expected to uphold Action Tutoring’s mission, values and safeguarding commitments, contributing to a culture of integrity, inclusion and accountability. They will work collaboratively with fellow Board members and the Senior Leadership Team to ensure effective governance, champion the charity’s work externally, and support the organisation to deliver high-quality, evidence-based programmes that improve life chances for disadvantaged young people.
Action Tutoring is partnering with Nurole, the leading board-level search specialist, to find Trustees. You can find out more and apply here.
Registered Charity
51 - 100
Award-winning national education charity working towards a world in which no child’s life chances are limited by their socio-economic background.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Chair of the Board of Trustees recruitment
Age UK Redbridge, Barking & Dagenham and Havering (RBH)
Age UK RBH is seeking an outstanding leader to serve as Chair of the Board of Trustees, guiding our charity through its next phase of growth, resilience, and impact for older people across our three boroughs.
About Us
Age UK RBH is a trusted local charity supporting older people across Redbridge, Barking & Dagenham, and Havering. We deliver vital services that promote independence, wellbeing, and dignity—from advice and information to social activities, home support, and specialist care. With a strong reputation for quality and compassion, we are proud to be a lifeline for older residents and their families.
The Role
As Chair, you will:
· Provide strategic leadership to the Board of Trustees, ensuring effective governance and accountability.
· Champion our mission and values, safeguarding the charity’s commitment to inclusion, equity, and measurable impact.
· Support and challenge the Chief Executive and senior team, acting as a critical friend and strategic partner.
· Represent Age UK RBH externally, building partnerships with funders, local authorities, and community organisations.
· Ensure the charity remains financially sustainable and operationally strong, delivering excellence for older people.
Who We’re Looking For
We are seeking a visionary leader with:
· Experience of chairing boards or holding senior governance roles.
· Strong understanding of charity governance, financial stewardship, and risk management.
· Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to inspire confidence across diverse stakeholders.
· Commitment to equity, inclusion and diversity.
· Passion for improving the lives of older people and strengthening communities.
What We Offer
· The opportunity to shape the future of a respected local charity.
· A collaborative, committed Board and senior team.
· The chance to make a tangible difference to thousands of older people across East London.
Time Commitment
This is a voluntary role, with reasonable expenses reimbursed. The Chair is expected to commit around 2–3 days per month, including Board meetings, sub-committees, and external representation. There are six Board of Trustees Meetings usually on a Friday afternoon and additional training days as required.
How to Apply
If you believe you can bring strategic vision, governance expertise, and a deep commitment to older people, we would love to hear from you.
Please send your CV and a short supporting statement (no longer than 2 pages) outlining your interest and suitability to
Closing date: 31st January 2026
Interviews: week beginning 9th February
For more information please email:
Alima Qureshi, Chair of the Board of Trustees
Andreea Albu, Chief Executive
Age UK Redbridge, Barking and Havering
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
About Bliss
With an impact in all corners of the UK, Bliss is the leading national neonatal charity, championing and developing the services for the 90,000 sick and premature babies born each year, supporting both them and their families. At Bliss, we are committed to improving care, giving voice to babies, and supporting parents to be partners in care.
This is a really exciting time to join our board. We’ve just launched our new four-year strategy, which puts equity at the heart of everything we do. With NHS reforms underway, a new 10-Year Plan on the horizon, and growing attention on maternity and neonatal care, there’s a real opportunity to raise Bliss’s profile and make a lasting difference for premature and sick babies across the UK.
Chair opportunity
Our new Chair will be an experienced Trustee or Board member with proven ability to manage meetings effectively and foster productive, inclusive discussions. They will bring energy and drive, ensuring robust governance and alignment between strategy and operations. They will enjoy leading inclusive and thoughtful discussions, and share our passion for giving every baby the best possible start in life.
You can find more information about Bliss and the Chair role in our recruitment pack.
Don’t think you quite meet all of the specifications? Please don’t count yourself out – we’d still love to hear from you and learn more about you and your interest in joining Bliss!
Ready to apply?
Eastside People is supporting Bliss in the recruitment of these roles. Please by submitting your CV and a cover letter both in Word doc format.
Please use the cover letter (max 2 pages) as an opportunity to add to the information you have shared in your CV and ensure that you cover the following:
- Why is Bliss’ work important to you and how can you contribute to the charity as our Chair?
- How do you ensure board meetings are focused, inclusive, and lead to clear decisions?
- How would you go about ensuring that our many stakeholders are heard and represented at Board level?
We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability and potential. If you have a disability or require reasonable adjustments during the application or interview process, please contact us so we can support you appropriately.
Bliss’ Chair, CEO and Trustees will be hosting a 30-minute drop-in session on Mon 8th December at 12pm via Teams. This is an opportunity to learn more about Bliss and what’s involved in joining our Board. You can register to attend here.
The closing date for applications is Mon 5th Jan.
Longlisting interviews with Eastside People will take place mid-January, with shortlisted candidates invited to panel interviews with Bliss during the week commencing 2 February.
Shortlisted candidates will then be invited to take part in open sessions with staff and Board members, with final interviews scheduled for the week commencing 23 February.
Bliss is an equal opportunities organisation. We actively welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, cultures, beliefs, and lived experiences. We strive to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve and are committed to equity and inclusion at every level of our governance.
We look forward to hearing from you!
