Job Description

About The Good Shepherd Trust

The Good Shepherd Trust (GST), founded in 2012 by the Diocese of Guildford, is a Church of England multi-academy trust committed to delivering high-quality education within a supportive Christian ethos. Since its inception, the Trust has expanded to include 24 schools across Surrey and Hampshire, comprising both primary and secondary institutions. Serving a diverse range of communities in both urban and rural settings, GST is known for its strong track record in turning around underperforming church schools while also attracting good and outstanding schools. This mix enables a collaborative model of school improvement based on peer support and executive leadership development. The Trust's central support team is based in Guildford.

GST is led by Chief Executive Officer Paul Kennedy, who joined the Trust in February 2020. With over 30 years of experience in the education sector, Paul brings a wealth of knowledge to the organisation. Recognising the varied and evolving needs of its school communities, the Trust places strong emphasis on collaboration, collective responsibility, and the strategic use of talent across schools to drive ongoing improvement.

Guided by its 2022-2025 strategic plan, the Trust is focused on five key priorities: ensuring all schools are strong and improving, growing sustainably, maintaining financial stability, providing high-quality central services, and attracting and developing exceptional staff. The central team provides expert support across education, finance, HR, and estates, helping to streamline operations so that school leaders can focus on teaching and learning. In addition, strong professional development networks are in place to support succession planning and leadership growth at all levels of the organisation.

In recent years, the Trust has recruited strongly to its executive team and it now looks to develop its Board with the recruitment of a number of talented Trustees who will bring challenge and support to the executive.

Role specification

The Board at The Good Shepherd Trust brings together a strong mix of educational and professional expertise, with members offering a range of perspectives to support effective decision-making.

The key duties of Trustees at the Good Shepherd Trust are to:

Provide strategic direction and oversight, ensuring decisions align with the Trust's Christian ethos, vision, and long-term goals Bring professional expertise to contribute to high-level decision-making across areas such as education, estates, digital, HR, and operations Scrutinise proposals with attention to detail, offering constructive challenge and support to the executive leadership team Help the Trust navigate opportunities and mitigate risks, ensuring it remains on track to deliver its strategic priorities Champion the Trust's mission to provide high-quality education, rooted in its Church of England values, across all schools Participate actively in Board meetings and relevant committees, contributing thoughtfully to strategic discussions Monitor and evaluate the Trust's performance, ensuring accountability, financial sustainability, and strong educational outcomes Provide support and guidance to the executive team, drawing on relevant experience to inform key decisions Promote a collaborative and inclusive culture, building strong relationships across the Trust's schools and stakeholders Ensure compliance with relevant legislation and governance standards, upholding the highest levels of integrity and ethical conduct
Trustees of The Good Shepherd Trust are expected to uphold the highest standards of ethical behaviour and governance, in full accordance with the Nolan Principles.

Information on governance at The Good Shepherd Trust can be found here: https://www.goodshepherdtrust.org.uk/about-us/trustee-directors

Person specification

GST is seeking to attract Trustees and is open to candidates from a range of senior-level backgrounds who are passionate about shaping the future of education. While the Board is open to a broad range of experience, it is particularly interested in candidates with expertise in the following areas:

Estates and facilities management:

Experience in estates strategy or infrastructure planning to support the Trust's ongoing growth and ensure resources align with educational needs.

Digital transformation and AI:

Knowledge of digital innovation or emerging technologies--particularly the governance of AI--to help develop robust and future-focused oversight.

Education:

Leadership or governance experience in education, particularly within SEND and primary settings. Church of England school experience is desirable but not essential.

Communications and marketing:

Skills in communications, branding, or stakeholder engagement to support the Trust's visibility, messaging, and community relationships.

HR and organisational development:

Expertise in people strategy, culture, or organisational design to guide the Trust through growth and change.

Operations:

Background in operational delivery or transformation to help improve systems and drive greater value from existing resources.

Mergers and acquisitions:

Experience with organisational mergers or strategic partnerships, particularly helpful as the Trust anticipates consolidation in the sector.

Candidates will be strategic thinkers with a collaborative mindset, capable of chairing committees and bringing others along through facilitation and influence. They will have a strong personal presence, offering thoughtful insight and acting as a critical friend to the executive team, while supporting the Trust's mission and values.

While prior board experience is preferred, first-time non-executive directors with the right skills and mindset are welcome.

The Trust is committed to protecting the community character and Christian distinctiveness of its church schools. While board members do not need to be practising Christians, it is important that they are aligned with and supportive of the Trust's vision, values, and ethos, and are willing to uphold and respect its faith-informed approach to education.

Diversity

The Good Shepherd Trust welcomes applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, belief or disability. All appointments will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process. In line with the Equality Act 2010, however, the organisation may employ positive action where candidates from underrepresented groups can demonstrate their ability to perform the role equally well.

Terms of appointment

This role is unremunerated, and reasonable, pre-agreed domestic travel expenses will be reimbursed. There are, at present, six Board meetings and four to five Committee meetings per year. Trustees are invited to sit on at least one committee. Meetings are usually in person but some can take place virtually. Additionally, Trustees are expected to visit one or two schools each year and attend an annual away day. Trustees should expect to commit on average two days per month. Training will be provided. The appointment is for a four-year term, which can be renewed at the discretion of the Members. Candidates will be appointed to the Board subject to references and a DBS check.

Location: Academies Office, Larch Avenue, Guildford, , GU1 1JY

Contract Type: Fixed Term

Contract Term: Part-Time

Salary: Volunteer role

Closing Date: 11:59pm, 30th Jun 2025

Start Date: TBD with Candidate

Positions Available: 6

Job Types: Part-time, Fixed term contract, Volunteer

Work Location: In person