Trustee for the Lighthouse Multi Academy Trust

Reporting to:                Chair of Trustees/Members

Grade/Salary:               Volunteering Role

Hours of work:             6 Trust meetings a year and additional Committee meetings (See   expectations of Time below)

Location:                        Hybrid Opportunity (encourage meeting in person at Trust Central Offices, Davis Road, Willenhall, Walsall WV12 5HA

About this Role:

The Lighthouse Multi Academy Trust (LHMAT) are looking for a Trustee to join their established Trust Board with knowledge and  experience of Estates and Health & Safety (desirable).

The time spent as a Trustee can vary significantly, LHMAT board meetings are held 6 times a year, with two more committees, RAISE and Finance and Audit Committees, depending on which committee you may be allocated to (Committee meetings are 4/5 a year with an AGM meeting for all Members and Trustees). Trustees are expected to spend time reading documents ahead of the meeting and be prepared to challenge the CEO and leadership team at LHMAT. LHMAT also encourage Trustees presence at their school events. All of our academies are located within the borough of Walsall in the West Midlands.

Main Responsibilities

Trustees are responsible for the overall strategic direction of the Trust, as well as holding executive leaders to account for delivering agreed priorities and ensuring the financial probity of the Trust. There are key matters that are reserved for the Trustees:

1. Responsibility for the Trust’s strategy, objectives and values
2. Ensure compliance with charity and company law
3. Approval of new schools joining the Trust
4. Approval of Trust plans, targets, budgets and capital expenditure
5. Determine, alongside the Trust Central Team, the strategic priorities of the MAT
6. Review and challenge progress of the trust against its agreed objectives and key performance indicators (KPIs)
7. Oversight of long-term financial planning, maintenance, risk mitigation, internal controls and compliance with regulations
8. Determine the funding model across the Trust and set the budgets for individual Academies
9. Approval of material acquisitions or disposal of land or buildings
10. Approval of significant changes in accounting policies or practices
11. Determine and review Trust-wide policies
12. Approval of annual accounts
13. Approval of the Scheme of Delegation and Financial Scheme of Delegation
14. The appointment of the Chair and Vice Chair of the Board and approval of the Board’s committee structure and composition, including the appointment of Committee Chairs.
15. Appointment of CEO, CFO and academy head teachers 
16. Ensuring effective safeguarding policies and procedures are in place
17. Appoint staff at Senior Leadership Level
18. The Board of Trustees is responsible for all the Academies in the Trust. It exercises its role by delegating some functions to the Local Governing Body (LGB) of each academy through an agreed Scheme of Delegation.

What you will bring to the role as a Trustee:

As a Trustee, you will play a vital role in shaping the strategic direction of our Academy Trust. Your decisions will influence the quality of education for hundreds of children, ensuring that every pupil—regardless of background—has access to outstanding teaching, a rich curriculum, and a safe, supportive environment. You will help hold our leadership team to account, ensure financial sustainability, and champion our values across the community.

• A commitment to improving educational outcomes for children.
• Strategic thinking skills and the ability to see the “big picture.”
• Experience in Estates Management and Health and Safety is desirable (but not essential).

• The ability to work collaboratively, ask challenging questions, and make balanced decisions.
• Integrity, discretion, and a willingness to learn about the education sector.

What the role as a Trustee can offer you:

• Have the chance to make a tangible difference in the lives of children and families.
• Join a supportive and welcoming board of trustees who value diverse perspectives.
• Have full induction and ongoing training to help you succeed in your role.
• Have the opportunity to develop your leadership skills and broaden your professional experience and the opportunity to be strategic thinking.
• Undertake the role voluntary but this will be deeply rewarding—your time and expertise will have a lasting impact to the Lighthouse Multi Academy Trust.
• Access to free, high-quality training in governance and education
• A sense of personal fulfilment from making a positive impact on the lives of children
• Supportive collaboration with a professional, experienced Board of Trustees

As a Trustee, you help ensure the Lighthouse Multi Academy Trust does the right things, for the right people, in the right way.

We welcome applications from individuals who bring:

• Enthusiasm, commitment, and a willingness to learn
• Experience or interest in Education, Estates and Health & Safety would be desirable.

You do not need prior experience in the education sector, just the energy and capacity to contribute meaningfully.

We are keen for our Board to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve the West Midlands. We warmly encourage applications from individuals from underrepresented backgrounds and with a wide range of lived experiences.

This is a voluntary, unpaid position. The Trust Board meets up to 6 meetings throughout the school year (plus additional committee meetings such as Finance & Audit and Raise), the majority of these meetings start at 5.30pm, with the option to join hybrid, however we encourage face to face attendance if possible to some of the meetings.

Trustees are expected to:

• Attend meetings
• Read and comment on reports, papers and policies in advance of meetings
• Support and challenge the executive team in line with the Lighthouse Multi Academy Trusts visions and values.

We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion, and welcome applications from people of all background and experiences.

At The Lighthouse Multi Academy Trust, we put children first, pioneering excellence and championing each and every child.  All our academies, ranging from a small infant school to large primary schools, work collaboratively, sharing resources and expertise.   Find out more about The Lighthouse Multi Academy Trust and the location of our academies at:  www.lhmat.com

If you are interested in this vacancy and would like to arrange a discussion please contact Cordell O’Neill, Governance Professional; coneill@lhmat.com.

References will be requested in line with Keeping children safe in education 2025 online searches will be completed as part of the due diligence on shortlisted candidates, searching online content that is publicly available for inappropriate online content that may suggest that a shortlisted candidate may not be suitable to work with children, or that may harm the reputation of the school.  If any issues of concern come up in online searches, shortlisted candidates will have an opportunity to address these at interview.

An Enhanced DBS certificate will be required on provisional offer, including a check of the Children’s Barred List.  Further vetting checks, in line with the requirements of Keeping children safe in education 2025 will be completed following a provisional offer of appointment.  Where applicable, if an applicant with a provisional offer of employment has lived and/or worked outside the UK, they will be required to obtain a Certificate of Good Conduct.