We seek an experienced Estates/Property Trustee to join our Trust Board. We would welcome applications from individuals who will commit to our ambitious and active Board whose aim is to support the communities we represent and who is passionate about education. We seek to appoint an individual with Building Surveying and/or Property management expertise who is experienced operating at a strategic level and who can contribute to the oversight of our Trusts ambition for our Estate.

The REAch2 Estate
The Trust’s built estate currently comprises 60 primary schools across 61 individual sites primarily located across the lower half of England from the West Midlands, East Anglia, London (and surrounding areas) down to the south coast. Those schools represent a varied portfolio of buildings constructed between 2020 and the Victorian era (the majority constructed before 1980) with numerous construction types that present a myriad of maintenance and compliance challenges to be addressed through our Planned Maintenance Programme. Estates at REAch2 also includes the building of new schools, e.g. under the Free School Programme, and the redevelopment of existing schools, typically on the same site. This necessitates a clear and strategic focus on estates matters by the Trust Board.
The strategic vision and objectives of our Estates Team are predicated on supporting the implementation of the four key strategic aims of the Trust (Great Schools, Social Justice, Sustainability & Digital Transformation). The facilitation of “Great Schools” necessitates our commitment to provide and improve year-on-year a built estate and learning environments that are safe, secure, dry, warm, inspirational, sustainable and, in every way, fit for purpose but with every flexibility to respond to changing curriculum, pupil, staff and the needs of the Trust.

Who we are
Founded in 2012, REAch2 Academy Trust is the largest primary-only academy trust in the country. We currently support 60 primary academies across England, all of whom share our mission to provide the best possible education for our young people. At the heart of this mission is the unshakeable belief that every child deserves a rich, rewarding, education, regardless of their background or geographical location. Our schools offer exceptional teaching from staff who make sure children get the best possible experience. Whether inside the classroom or extra-curricular activities, we offer pupils a comprehensive schooling which helps to shape the people they will become.

The role
Our new Trustee will assist us with their skills and expertise by ensuring:
• the Board has a broad and diverse make up, with a balance of skills and knowledge, as well as lived experience.
• we have a range of perspectives bringing the appropriate level of support and challenge to our leadership.
• the Board’s ultimate responsibility for the educational and financial performance of the Charity is robustly supported and delivered.
• they champion our ethos which is based on our Touchstones of leadership, learning, enjoyment, integrity, inclusion, responsibility, and inspiration.

We seek individuals who can commit to six Trust Board meetings per annum (in London, during the day) and who will join at least one of the committees of the Trust Board. (Education, Risk & Audit, Finance & Resources and Remuneration).

We seek a skilled leader with experience and strategic leadership in Estates/Property matters, especially Building Surveying and/or Property management expertise, ideally gained within a public sector/educational setting although that is not essential. We welcome all applicants with the relevant experience and expertise who feel they could positively and strategically contribute to our Trust, support its’ ambitions, and ensures our estate provision is the best it can be to benefit our pupils and staff. The newly appointed Trustee will bring their understanding of how and where their respective skills sets can help the Trust deliver positive benefits across our 60 schools (approx. 3,000 staff and 18,000 children).

Knowledge of regulatory and legal compliance, risk management and how governance supports organisations improve, develop, and ultimately deliver sustainability is highly desirable. Experience of identifying, managing and mitigating health & safety risks associated with Estates is also a plus.

The Board operates the Trust in compliance with its charitable objects, company, and charity law and in accordance with the Principles of Public Life. These Trustee appointments will be subject to an enhanced disclosure and barring service check in accordance with DfE requirements.

We are keen to hear from all candidates with the appropriate experience who feel they can make a real contribution to the Trust. If you can bring a fresh perspective to the challenges which we face whether through your background as someone from an ethnic minority or live with a disability (visible or not), are open about your faith, religion or belief or about being LGBTQ+, your application will receive a warm welcome. As will applications from all suitable candidates.

If you would like an informal discussion about the role, please get in touch with Ann Marie Dalton-Pillay, Company Secretary on 07721 241641 or email [email protected].