MESSAGE FROM THE CEO…

Dear Prospective Trustee,

Thank you so much for your interest in joining the Board of Trustees at Bedfordshire Schools Trust. It really does mean a great deal to us.

BEST is a trust built on a genuine belief in what education can do for children and communities. Since 2016, we have grown into one of the largest trusts in Bedfordshire — 11 academies, five nurseries, over 8,000 children and more than 1,000 members of staff — but our size has never been what defines us. What defines us is a simple, shared conviction: that every decision we make, and every pound we spend, must put children first.

That belief runs through everything — the way our academies work together, the way we support our staff, and the way we govern. Our mission, to grow the BEST in everyone, applies just as much to the adults in our community as to the children we serve. We set high expectations across the board: our ambition is for outcomes in every academy to be above the national average, and we are proud that every one of our schools currently holds at least a Good or Expected Ofsted judgement – with many performing well above this standard.

Trustees are central to that. They bring independence, expertise, and perspective that strengthens everything the executive team does. It is a role that asks a lot — you will be expected to engage seriously, ask searching questions, and give your time generously — but the rewards, personal and professional, are real.

We are looking for people who care deeply about the communities our schools serve and who have a genuine passion for ensuring that every young person gets the best possible start in life. Relevant expertise in finance, education or community engagement is always welcome, but what matters most is that you share our values and are ready to give your time and commitment to this work.

I hope this pack gives you a real sense of who we are. Please do get in touch if you would like to talk it through before applying — we would love to hear from you.

Dr Alan Lee

Chief Executive Officer & National Leader of Education

It is recommended that, to support your application, you familiarise yourself with the BEST Governance Handbook (BGHB); Academy Trust Handbook; Academy Trust Governance Guide; Trust Quality Descriptions; School Inspection Handbook and the Memorandum & Articles of Association; links to all these documents can be found on the ‘From the CEO…’ page of the BGHB, click here to view.