Trustee vacancy – The Phoenix Education Trust
The Phoenix Education Trust ( is a small charity that promotes democracy in education across the UK. For us the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child isn't a bit of paper - it is the compass that guides our work in supporting the development of an education system in which all children are trusted, supported and given the respect that each and every one of them deserves.
The Phoenix Education Trust pursues its aims by, amongst other things, bringing together teachers, students and individuals who are committed to democratic education, running student voice initiatives in mainstream state schools, supporting a small number of independent democratic schools and carrying out research to provide an evidence base for the benefits of democracy in schools. Phoenix also acted as an incubator for StudentVoice ( an organisation set up by and for young people to represent secondary students’ views. Phoenix is currently supporting Student Voice to become an independent organisation, and will continue to work closely with them in the future.
We are currently recruiting for two new trustees.
Role description
Trustees’ responsibilities include but are not limited to:
•Working with other trustees to develop short and long-term strategies to help the charity pursue its charitable aims
•Supporting the chair to line manage the Director in carrying out these charitable aims
•Reviewing cash flow forecasts and ensuring that the charity is solvent and that robust financial controls and systems of risk management are in place
•Ensuring that appropriate financial accounts are kept and approving the charity’s annual report and accounts
•Overseeing legal aspects of the charity in relation to company or employment law
New trustees will be expected to spend time familiarising themselves with the charity when they join. Trustees’ meetings take place four times a year. In addition, there is semi-regular email correspondence that takes place between meetings. Depending on their availability and skills, some trustees are also members of sub-committees, for example on strategy or finance, which meet as and when necessary to support the Director in specific areas.
Person specification
It is essential that all applicants have:
•An interest in democratic education and student voice, and a willingness to learn more about the area.
•Respect for young people and a willingness to work with them as equals.
In addition, we have identified two areas where the board would benefit from further expertise. Applicants are not expected to be experts in all areas, as we are recruiting more than one trustee. These areas are:
•Experience in grant fundraising, particularly in the area of education and youth, but also for the third sector more generally.
•Experience in sales and marketing of services.
•Experience in financial management.
In order to apply, please prepare a short covering letter explaining:
•Why you want to be a trustee
•What you feel you could bring to the post, with reference to the person specification.
Please send to Carina Badger at by 10th August 2014. We expect to interview applicants on Friday 5th September 2014. You are also very welcome to contact the current chair if you have any questions before applying:
Annie Quick
07816119393