York Steiner School is heading into a new and exciting chapter, inspired and ambitious to bring a rich, connected and nourishing Steiner Waldorf education to as many children and families as we can.
The Board of Trustees is looking to expand and bring in new members to ensure that the strategic leadership of the school matches the school’s ambitions for the future.If you're passionate about Steiner Waldorf education and looking for an opportunity to make a big impact and a meaningful contribution to our amazing school and community, we want to hear from you.
A number of key roles and responsibilities within the Board of trustees are seeking new or additional members.
- Safeguarding trustee - this is a critical role and would suit someone with a background and experience in professional environments where safeguarding of children and or other vulnerable groups is a central part of their role.
- Education, Careers, and Guidance - Our educational mission and the core tenant of Steiner Waldorf education is to educate the whole child through head, heart and hands. We are seeking two trustees to hold an educational focus Specifically, we are looking for individuals who would have expertise, experience and interest in Early Years education and/ or Secondary/ Further Education and Careers. We are also keen to welcome trustees with insight into teacher training from a QTS and Steiner Waldorf perspective.
- Business Development, Fundraising and Marketing - in order to ensure a healthy and sustainable financial future for our school, and to deliver on our mission to bring Steiner Waldorf education to as many people and communities as possible, we are seeking to build our expertise in Business Development, Marketing and Fundraising. We are specifically interested to hear from applicants with experience and expertise in fundraising.
- Finance - as an independent school, the financial picture has become more complex over recent years. We are seeking another trustee to bring experience, expertise and a fresh perspective to the financial management of our school.
- Premises and Facilities - as much as we love our school, the building itself requires a huge amount of care and attention! We also have strict regulations to adhere to in terms of our school’s health and safety. We are keen to recruit a trustee who can not only support the strategic oversight of maintaining our building, but also help to develop a strategy for the future of our school building.
Why become a trustee at York Steiner School?
Trustees at York Steiner School volunteer their time and energy to serve as critical friends to the school leadership, ensuring the school remains financially sustainable and true to its founding ethos.At York Steiner School, we operate a model of sustainable governance through servant and contextual leadership. Becoming a trustee at York Steiner School will bring you the opportunity to provide strategic leadership and make a tangible impact on the future of our school, whilst operating through these leadership qualities.Our 5 year strategy is depicted by a tree. This metaphor also helps to articulate our school as a whole system.
The leaves and the bows, representing the teaching and educational outcomes are supported by healthy roots. The strong trunk is our culture and how we communicate. Our ethos and values are the sap and bark. No one part of the tree is healthy, without the whole tree being healthy. Whilst core accountabilities are held by a few, responsibility for the health and sustainability of our school is distributed, every part of the system adds value to the whole.
Leadership at York Steiner School is understood as both a practice and a promise. It is not owned by the few, rather it is a commitment of the whole system. Leadership is defined as an influence rather than an authority. It is inherently holistic, considering the social, emotional, and spiritual needs of students, staff and community. It is also realistic, pragmatic and focused. Leadership is intentional and inspired to ensure a healthy and sustainable future for our school.
As a trustee you will have the opportunity for:
Strategic Leadership: You can help to shape the long-term vision for our school, ensuring the Steiner Waldorf ethos and education remains core to decision making.Professional Growth: The trustee role offers insight and experience in strategic leadership and areas like charity law, financial auditing, and risk management, which are highly transferable to any executive career.Community Contribution: You play a vital role in safeguarding the health and sustainability of our school.
What is the commitment?
York Steiner School is a registered charity, and Trustees are Company Directors. This means that they provide strategic oversight, ensure legal compliance, and manage financial risks for the school. They act as a legal guardian to ensure the organisation achieves its charitable purpose.The Board of Trustees currently meet on a 6 week rotation across the school year. Each trustee also takes on a ‘link’ role, and may be asked to join Mandate Groups (which typically meet once per term) or meet colleagues in school on a more regular basis (perhaps monthly) about key issues, such as safeguarding.Trustees are also provided with opportunities for their personal and professional development as a trustee, and it is expected that these opportunities will be met with a willingness to engage, as far as is practicably possible.
Who should apply?
York Steiner School Board of Trustees are looking for expertise and experience in the following key areas:
- Safeguarding
- Education and Careers (Early Years and Secondary/ Further education experience would be of benefit)
- Fundraising, Business Development and Marketing (Grants and Bids experience would be of benefit)
- Finance
- Premises and facilities
Professional experience in any of these areas has significant value to us as a Board of Trustees.It is also important that applicants bring with them passion and purpose, and ambition for our school to achieve its educational mission (to educate the whole child through head, heart and hands) and charitable mission (to bring Steiner Waldorf education to as many people and communities as we can). The school operates through three core values; curiosity, connection and community. Leadership is defined as servant and contextual leadership, and is shared.
How do I apply?
Send your CV and a cover letter (max 800 words) to HR@yorksteinerschool.org Outline your specific area of interest for one of the above roles, and how your experience and expertise can bring value to York Steiner School.
Important dates
The closing date for applications is Friday 17th April. Stage 1: shortlisted candidates will have an initial discussion with the Chair or Vice Chair of Trustees between 20th - 27th April (can be on the phone or in person)Stage 2: candidates need to be available to observe at Board of Trustee meetings on 30th April -6:15pm - 8:30pm and 10th June- 6:15pm and 8:30pmSuccessful candidates will need to be in attendance at the School AGM is on 18th June (Times TBC)