Assess your suitability

What is a Trustee?

This role is an important part of any charity’s governance. A Trustee is a member of the Board of Trustees, which holds overall responsibility for governing the charity and directing how it is managed and run. Trustees ensure that the charity is compliant and act as ‘critical friends’, working with staff to set its strategic direction. Some Trustees hold specific roles, such as Chair, but all remain jointly responsible for the charity.

Trustees bring independent judgement to major decisions affecting our schools, their pupils, and the charity’s other beneficiaries, helping to ensure that Harpur Trust is well run and properly resourced.

This is a voluntary role. The Board meets four times each year, and most Trustees also sit on two committees (see below), bringing the overall commitment to 12–15 meetings annually. Meetings are generally held at the Trust’s premises at The Pilgrim Centre, Brickhill Drive, Bedford, MK41 7PZ, or online using its excellent hybrid meeting facilities.

Terms of office are three years. Most Trustees are expected to serve between two and three terms, with a fourth term possible in exceptional circumstances.

What is a Committee Member?

As a Committee Member, you will provide strategic oversight of a specific area of the Trust’s work on behalf of the Board. This includes reviewing performance, monitoring risks, considering financial and people-related matters, ensuring compliance with relevant requirements, and supporting the delivery of long-term strategic objectives.

Committee Members bring independent insight, constructive challenge, and professional expertise to help drive effective governance, accountability, and continuous improvement.

This is a voluntary role and the time commitment is 3-6 meetings each year. Meetings are generally held at the Trust’s premises at The Pilgrim Centre, Brickhill Drive, Bedford, MK41 7PZ, or online using its excellent hybrid meeting facilities.

Terms of office are three years. Most Committee Members are expected to serve between two and three terms, with a fourth term possible in exceptional circumstances.

What is a Governor?

A Harpur Trust school governor is a member of a School Governing Body. Working collectively and within the authority delegated by the Board of Trustees, governors provide strategic oversight, support, and constructive challenge. They hold the school’s leadership to account for educational and operational performance, safeguarding, the use of resources and compliance, while ensuring that the school’s strategy remains aligned with the Trust’s objectives.

Governors bring independent judgement and professional expertise. They help maintain high standards, support the school’s long-term success, and provide assurance that it is operating in the best interests of its pupils, community and the Trust.

This is a voluntary role requiring attendance at 6–9 meetings each year, generally held at the relevant school. Governors are appointed for terms of between one and three years. They may serve for up to nine years, or 12 years in exceptional circumstances.

Governors need a clear understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the School Governing Body, particularly in relation to accountability and the difference between strategic and operational decision-making.

For all roles

There is a comprehensive mandatory induction programme for new Trustees, Committee Members and Governors, which senior staff also attend. Staff and Trustees also attend seminars and workshops covering a range of topics, including strategic policy, financial management, investment, governance, performance management, safeguarding, grant-making and communications.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for people with a genuine interest in advancing the town of Bedford, helping us achieve our vision of a community where everyone can thrive. You do not need to have prior board experience but we are looking for the following qualities and behaviours:

• Curiosity and open-mindedness, balanced with a willingness to take a position and bring independent judgement;
• The ability to work as part of a team, listening to build understanding and making decisions fairly;
• Constructiveness and mutual respect in debate and challenge;
• Self-reflection and self-development;
• Openness with colleagues, confidentiality and collective responsibility;
• Preparedness, reading papers and raising major questions or points in advance.

In addition, some of our Trustee roles are specialist roles – for example in the fields of finance, digital or property.