Trustees (Safeguarding & Audit and Risk)

Wellspring Academy Trust seeks two non-executive Trustees to add strategic level expertise in safeguarding children and audit & risk to its board.

Location: Headquartered in Barnsley, with schools across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire

Time commitment: Up to 8 hours per month

Closing date: 9 a.m. Monday 27th October

Who we are

Wellspring Academy Trust is a thriving family of schools with a strong sense of purpose. We are proud to serve 33 academies across primary, secondary, special, and alternative provision. Since welcoming our first school in 2013, we have developed into a dynamic community supporting children and families in eight local authority areas, including South, West and North Yorkshire, North and North East Lincolnshire, and Lincolnshire.

We are committed to our vision: to transform lives by raising aspirations and broadening opportunities for every young person and the communities around them. We believe that all children, whatever their starting point, are entitled to an excellent education and the chance to experience joy, success, and ambition in their lives.

At Wellspring, we do not impose a “one size fits all” model. We celebrate the distinctiveness of each of our schools, empowering leaders to shape provision around the unique needs of their communities. Our approach has proven its effectiveness over time, fostering strong, resilient schools that combine autonomy with the collective strength of the Trust.

We are driven by social purpose. We champion inclusive education, stronger communities, and improved life chances. Education is the most powerful vehicle for social justice, and through equity, we enable better outcomes for all.

About the role

As a Trustee of Wellspring Academy Trust, you will form part of a talent non-executive board that provides the trust’s strategic leadership and collective oversight. Trustees are both charity trustees and company directors: you will set the long-term vision, hold the executive to account for educational and financial performance, and ensure the trust operates within its legal, regulatory and contractual frameworks.

Key responsibilities

• Set and safeguard the trust’s strategic direction, mission and values, approving the trust’s overall strategy and key policies.
• Hold the Chief Executive Officer and senior leadership to account for educational outcomes, educational standards, and the implementation of agreed strategy.
• Ensure the trust’s long-term financial sustainability and that public funds are used effectively — including oversight of budgets, financial reporting and risk management.
• Fulfil statutory duties as charity trustees and company directors (duty of care, prudence and compliance), including compliance with the Academy Trust Handbook and other legal/regulatory obligations.
• Champion and assure safeguarding, inclusion and the welfare of all children across the trust.

To be successful in this role, we expect strategic judgement and the willingness to challenge constructively while working collaboratively with fellow trustees and the executive team, a commitment to the trust’s values and to acting in the best interests of pupils and the public benefit, and preparedness to invest time in governance by reading papers in advance, attending board meetings and committee work, and taking part in occasional visits, away-days and training, with frequency varying by trust.

Who we are looking for

We are seeking two new Trustees who can bring both expertise and commitment to our Trustee Board.

One of the new Trustees will bring significant experience in strategic safeguarding. This may have been gained within a large education provider, a national or regional charity, or a local authority. You may have worked at a senior level in children’s services, social services, teaching and learning, or in services for families and children, and will have the ability to translate that expertise into effective governance oversight for Wellspring.

The other Trustee will be an experienced senior leader who can offer strong financial and regulatory insight. You may have worked in a large and complex business or in professional practice, and will bring direct experience of internal or external audit, alongside advising on regulatory compliance and risk management. Your skills will help ensure the trust remains financially sustainable, compliant, and well-prepared to navigate risk.

Above all, we are looking for individuals who share our values, can think strategically, and are motivated by the opportunity to improve outcomes and life chances for children and young people.

Peridot Partners and Wellspring Academy 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.

Please click 'Redirect to recruiter’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the job description and register your interest to apply.

Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Monday 27th October.