Chair of Trustees

CHAIR OF TRUSTEES

REQUIRED FROM SEPTEMBER 2025

Penair is a large progressive and innovative single academy trust secondary school wishing to develop an outstanding culture and provision. We are seeking a Chair of Trustees to join Penair School from September 2025, working in partnership with the Headteacher in driving sustained improvement.

Penair is looking to recruit a board Chair to succeed the current post holder who is retiring from the role after 10 years. We are interested in applicants with a range of skills and leadership experience. A background in the education sector is not essential. The role’s focus is oversight of the following key functions of the board:

• strategic leadership of the academy trust - the board defines the trust vision for high quality and inclusive education in line with its charitable objects. It establishes and fosters the trust’s culture and sets and champions the trust strategy
• accountability and assurance - the board must demonstrate robust effective oversight of the operations and performance of the school, including the provision of education, pupil welfare, overseeing and ensuring appropriate use of funding and effective financial performance and keeping its estate safe and well-maintained
• engagement - the board has strategic oversight of relationships with stakeholders. As such, trustee governors must involve parents, schools and communities in a way that demonstrates decision-making is supported by meaningful engagement
• governance – trustees must apply the highest standards of conduct and ensure robust and effective governance arrangements are in place, critical for effective financial management

The successful candidate will need to be able to demonstrate a minimum of three years’ professional experience and successful achievement in one or more of these areas.

Penair is a ‘Good’ school, confirmed by Ofsted inspections in 2017 and again in March 2023 — with a steadily growing number of pupils on roll. Over the last five years it has grown from 915 to 1240 pupils. To accommodate demand for 

places, Cornwall Council has recently funded the building of a new £4 million teaching block and expansion of the dining hall. Penair is never complacent however, and the success of the school continues to grow and develop under the Headteacher’s accomplished leadership. The ongoing support and challenge provided by the board of trustees helps drive this continuous pursuit of quality, within a dynamic and sometimes difficult environment.

This is an exciting time to join the school and work with a strong group of trustee governor colleagues. The successful applicant will be expected to demonstrate the drive, integrity, resilience and capacity to lead the board in its endeavours to deliver for the children and families of Truro and beyond.

Interested applicants are invited to an informal meeting with the current Chair of Trustees and Headteacher in the first instance.