The Olympus Academy Trust - Trustee/Non-Executive Director (education)

We are currently seeking a Trustee with experience in senior leadership across multiple locations in secondary education, to join the board of The Olympus Academy Trust, a thriving and ambitious Multi-Academy Trust of nine schools in South Gloucestershire, with an annual budget of £60m.

The Olympus Academy Trust (TOAT) is a thriving and ambitious Multi-Academy Trust based in South Gloucestershire. Founded in 2012 from an all-through Free School, the Trust has grown steadily and now comprises nine schools: one all-through school (4–18 years), three secondary schools (11–19 years), and five primary schools, some with pre-school provision. All schools are located within a relatively compact geographical area, ensuring a coherent and collaborative working environment.

The Trust’s growth journey continues with a new 11–16 secondary Free School set to open in September 2026. This school will serve a significant new housing development and will grow year-on-year from Year 7 upwards. Ofsted outcomes across the Trust are strong: most schools are rated ‘Good’, and one with elements of ‘Requires Improvement’ was also recognised for areas of strong practice. No school within the Trust has been judged ‘Inadequate’. Financially, TOAT is robust, with an annual income of around £60 million and reserves managed in line with DfE guidance.

TOAT currently supports over 6,500 learners and employs more than 850 staff, serving a diverse population including pupils with English as an Additional Language (EAL). Two schools host specialist resource bases—one secondary and one primary—supporting students with speech, language, and autism needs through commissioned places from the local authority, with a focus on integration into mainstream education.

Strategically, TOAT is in advanced merger discussions with a large 26 school Trust (20 primary, six secondary) that serves pupils aged 3–19 years. The other Trust includes six Church of England schools and is governed as a mixed MAT, with most schools rated ‘Good’ or better. If approved by the Department for Education (DfE) in summer 2025, the merger will create a brand-new Trust of 36 schools, one of the largest in the South West. This new organisation will operate under a new name and brand, while retaining strong links to the legacy Trusts.

As part of succession planning, the Trust is seeking to recruit a new Trustee with expertise in secondary education to join the board and play a vital role through the proposed merger and beyond. TOAT’s Trust Board is composed of professionals with expertise in education, finance, HR, risk, and estates.

The Trust’s Requirements

TOAT is seeking to appoint a Trustee with experience in secondary education, ideally someone who has held a senior leadership role across multiple schools. This may include experience within a MAT, a local authority improvement service, or working across schools in areas such as teaching and learning, curriculum development, behaviour, progress, attainment, or staff development. While not essential, an understanding of the current Ofsted Inspection Framework—or experience as an inspector—would be advantageous.

This appointment comes at a pivotal moment for TOAT, with the launch of a new school in 2026 and the prospective merger. The successful candidate will be expected to bring educational insight and leadership to the Board during this period of significant change, ensuring that standards remain high and pupil outcomes remain central to decision-making.

The new Trustee would also be expected to specifically contribute to the Education Standards Committee, which meets six times per year, typically on Tuesday mornings at 9.30am, and lasts up to two hours. Committee meetings are held in-person at Winterbourne Academy, Bristol (BS36 1JL), with remote attendance available in exceptional circumstances.

In addition, the full Trust Board meets six times per year, generally on Thursday evenings at 5.30pm, for meetings of up to two hours. Trustees are welcome to be involved in additional committees should they have the desire and capacity to do so.

The Trust is committed to effective governance, supported by a professional governance lead and secure access to papers via Google Drive. New Trustees receive a thorough induction and are well supported to make a meaningful contribution from the outset.

This is a rare and exciting opportunity to join the leadership of a strong, forward-thinking Trust on the verge of significant transformation. The newly appointed Trustee will not only help to shape the current Trust’s educational direction but will have the opportunity to be part of the new Trust Board post-merger, ensuring continuity and strategic influence across the wider organisation.

While the Trust’s immediate need is for a secondary education specialist, candidates with primary experience will be considered if they have worked in school improvement roles spanning the secondary phase—for example, as a CEO, Deputy CEO, or Director of Learning with oversight across both sectors.