We are recruiting for two types of role on the Board, a new Chair, and one or more new Directors.
Comprehensive induction and ongoing governance training will be provided.
STCAT is committed to building a diverse Board that reflects the communities we serve, and particularly welcomes applications from individuals who are currently under-represented in governance roles.
Position | Director |
Organisation | St Thomas Catholic Academies Trust |
Accountable to | The Chair and Board of Directors |
Term of office | Four years, renewable for up to two further terms (a maximum of three terms in total) |
Time commitment | Approximately 2 days per month, covering Board meetings, committee work, and Link Director visits to schools |
Meetings | Five full Board meetings a year (usually one held in person alongside a full-day Board strategy day, the remainder online), plus committee meetings and at least one LAC visit per year |
Location | Schools across Luton, Buckinghamshire and Slough (south Diocese of Northampton); travel to meetings and school visits required |
Remuneration | Voluntary role; reasonable expenses reimbursed |
Safeguarding | Enhanced DBS check required, alongside a Certificate of Catholic Practice |
Diocesan approval | Directors are appointed by the Bishop of Northampton following a formal application and approval process, in accordance with the Trust's Articles of Association |
Terms of appointment
Catholic ethos and mission
Uphold and promote the Catholic character of the Trust and its schools
Ensure decisions and activities align with Catholic teaching and the guidance of the Bishop of Northampton
Support the spiritual development of pupils and staff across the Trust
Engage with the Diocese, parishes and local Catholic communities
Strategic oversight
Contribute to the development and approval of the Trust's strategic vision and objectives
Support strategic planning that balances educational excellence with financial sustainability
Monitor compliance with legal, regulatory and statutory requirements
Governance and accountability
Attend and actively participate in Board meetings (five per year)
Contribute constructively to Board discussions and decision-making
Maintain high standards of governance and adhere to the Nolan Principles of Public Life
Serve on a Board committee, contributing specialist knowledge where relevant
Act as a Link Director to a small number of schools, attending at least one Local Academy Committee (LAC) meeting per academic year (usually held in the evening)
Participate in Director development activities and training
Act with integrity, objectivity and in the best interests of the Trust
Relationship with the Chief Executive Officer
Develop a strong, professional and supportive working relationship with the CEO
Provide appropriate challenge and support, and act as a trusted sounding board on strategic and sensitive matters
Maintain clear boundaries between governance and executive management, enabling the executive team to increasingly stand on its own as its capacity grows
Challenge and support to Executive Leadership
Hold the CEO and executive team to account for the Trust's performance
Provide constructive challenge and support to executive leadership
Maintain appropriate boundaries between governance and operational management
Review and scrutinise performance data and reports
Financial oversight and risk management
Support effective financial management and oversight of the Trust's resources
Monitor financial performance and approve annual budgets
Support robust systems of risk management and internal control
Review and monitor the Trust's risk register
Safeguarding and standards
Ensure safeguarding is paramount in all Trust activities
Monitor educational standards and outcomes across Trust schools
Support the promotion of equality, diversity and inclusion
Stakeholder engagement
Act as an ambassador for the Trust and Catholic education
Attend key Trust events, celebrations and school visits where possible
Engage with school communities to understand their perspectives and experiences
Person specification, essential
A practising Catholic, able to provide a Certificate of Catholic Practice from their parish priest
A genuine commitment to Catholic education and to the principles of Catholic Social Teaching
Ability to think strategically and contribute to complex decision-making
Strong communication and interpersonal skills, and a collaborative, low-ego style that fits STCAT's collegiate, family-like culture
Ability to analyse information, ask challenging questions, and make informed judgements. You do not need to be a specialist in every area the Board covers; STCAT has professional advisers for that. What matters is the ability to interrogate the information you are given
Commitment to the Nolan Principles of Public Life
Understanding of governance principles, or a willingness to undertake training
Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
A strong commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children
Integrity, sound judgement, and the ability to maintain confidentiality
Ability to travel to meetings and school visits across the Trust's footprint from Luton to Buckinghamshire and Slough
Person specification, desirable
We welcome applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds and experience. An educational background is not required; the Board has found that Directors from different backgrounds can bring particularly valuable perspective, since the role is about governance rather than day-to-day school management. Depending on the current composition of the Board, we are particularly interested in candidates with expertise in one or more of the following areas:
Finance, accounting or audit
Human resources and people management
Legal or regulatory compliance
Property, estates or facilities management
Risk management
Safeguarding
Mental health
Technology and digital innovation
Marketing, communications or public relations
Governance experience in education or another sector
Key Responsibilities
Directors form the governing body of the Trust and share collective responsibility for its strategic oversight and governance. Working alongside the Chair and fellow Directors, each Director contributes their skills, experience and expertise to ensure the Trust delivers its Catholic mission while maintaining the highest standards of education and financial stewardship.
Directors play a vital role in holding the executive leadership to account, safeguarding the Trust's values, and ensuring compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements. As the Trust matures, Directors are also increasingly expected to help represent STCAT externally and to support the growth of the Board itself.
Director
Comprehensive induction and ongoing governance training will be provided.
Position | Chair of the Board of Directors |
Organisation | St Thomas Catholic Academies Trust |
Accountable to | The Members of the Trust |
Term of office | Four years, renewable for up to two further terms (a maximum of three terms in total) |
Time commitment | Indicatively 5 to 6 days per month for Board and committee business. The Board is actively working, through committee development and growing executive capacity, to bring this to a more sustainable level over time. |
Meetings | Five full Board meetings a year (usually one held in person alongside a full-day Board strategy day, the remainder online), plus Board committees, which the Chair is encouraged to attend, particularly in the first year |
Location | Schools across Luton, Buckinghamshire and Slough (south Diocese of Northampton); regular travel across this footprint is required |
Remuneration | Voluntary role; reasonable expenses reimbursed |
Safeguarding | Enhanced DBS check required, alongside a Certificate of Catholic Practice |
Diocesan approval | Directors, including the Chair, are appointed by the Bishop of Northampton following a formal application and approval process, in accordance with the Trust's Articles of Association |
Terms of appointment
Catholic ethos and mission
Champion and safeguard the Catholic character of the Trust and all its schools
Ensure the Trust's activities and decisions are consistent with Catholic teaching and the guidance of the Diocesan Bishop
Foster strong relationships with the Diocese, parishes, and local Catholic communities
Promote the spiritual development of pupils and staff across all Trust schools
Strategic leadership
Lead the development and implementation of the Trust's strategic vision and objectives
Support the Trust's shift from an internally focused, operational Board towards a more strategic, externally facing one
Ensure effective strategic planning that balances educational excellence with financial sustainability
Ensure compliance with all legal, regulatory, and statutory requirements
Board leadership and governance
Chair Board meetings effectively, ensuring all Directors contribute to discussions and decisions
Ensure the Board maintains high standards of governance, including adherence to the Nolan Principles
Lead on Director recruitment, induction and development, actively growing and diversifying the Board, including through associate and committee roles for strong local governors
Ensure appropriate delegation to committees and Local Academy Committees
Line Manage the CEO and the Trusts’s Governance Professional and conduct their annual performance reviews and oversee succession planning
Relationship with the Chief Executive Officer
Develop a strong, professional and supportive working relationship with the CEO
Provide appropriate challenge and support, and act as a trusted sounding board on strategic and sensitive matters
Maintain clear boundaries between governance and executive management, enabling the executive team to increasingly stand on its own as its capacity grows
External representation and stakeholder engagement
Represent the Trust to external stakeholders including the Diocese, DfE, Ofsted and local authorities
Act as the Trust's ambassador, building STCAT's profile and reputation as it moves into a more externally facing phase, for example through sector conferences, committees and diocesan forums
Build and maintain relationships with key partners and funders
Engage visibly with school communities, headteachers, parents and staff
Risk management and accountability
Ensure robust systems of risk management and internal control are in place
Monitor financial performance and ensure the Trust operates within its means
Ensure safeguarding is paramount across all Trust activities
Hold the executive team to account for the performance of the Trust and its schools
Person specification, essential
A practising Catholic (we will take up references with your Parish Priest at offer stage)
A genuine commitment to Catholic education and to the principles of Catholic Social Teaching
Significant senior leadership or board-level experience, gained in the public, private or voluntary sector; candidates from outside education are particularly welcome, as the Board has found this brings a valuable outside perspective
A sound, overall understanding of how organisational finances work, and the confidence to read and interrogate a complex budget. The Board does not expect the Chair to be a qualified accountant, but this cannot be a gap.
Experience of chairing meetings and managing group dynamics with warmth, authority and psychological safety
Direct experience of managing people, ideally including line management of a chief executive or other senior leader
Comfort operating in a visible, ambassadorial capacity, building relationships with headteachers, the Diocese and external stakeholders
A sound understanding of governance principles and best practice, including the Nolan Principles of Public Life
A collaborative, low-ego style that fits STCAT's collegiate, family-like culture, alongside the confidence to hold the executive team to account
Ability to travel regularly, and at times at short notice, across the Trust's footprint from Luton to Buckinghamshire and Slough
Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, and to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children
Integrity, sound judgement, and the ability to maintain confidentiality
Person specification, desirable
Previous experience chairing a board in a complex organisation
Understanding of the academy trust framework, education legislation, or Diocesan structures
Financial management experience and the ability to interrogate complex budgets
Existing networks within the Catholic community, the Diocese of Northampton, or the wider education sector
Key Responsibilities
The Chair of the Board of Directors co-ordinates the activities of the Board in having responsibility for the governance and strategic direction of St Thomas Catholic Academies Trust. Working closely with the Chief Executive Officer, Mark McLaughlin, whom the Chair line manages on behalf of the Board, and with fellow Directors, the Chair ensures the Trust remains faithful to its Catholic mission while delivering the highest standards of education and operational excellence.
The Chair provides visible, values-led leadership: building trust and psychological safety across the Board, enabling every Director's voice to be heard, and holding a steady course through a period of real organisational change. As STCAT matures and looks outward, the Chair will also take an increasingly prominent role representing the Trust to the Diocese, the Department for Education, and the wider Catholic education sector.
Chair of the Board of Directors
The opportunities
Finding our next Chair is the priority, but we know that a Chair-level advert can feel like a big step, and some excellent Directors go on to become excellent Chairs once they have got to know a Board. Our current Chair will be available even after a new Chair is appointed so a handover period or period shadowing the current Chair is possible. So, if you are drawn to STCAT but unsure which role fits your experience today, please raise this in your first conversation with Adam. We are very happy to talk about both.
The role profiles for the Chair and for a Director are set out separately below.
Catholic ethos and mission
Uphold and promote the Catholic character of the Trust and its schools
Ensure decisions and activities align with Catholic teaching and the guidance of the Bishop of Northampton
Support the spiritual development of pupils and staff across the Trust
Engage with the Diocese, parishes and local Catholic communities
Strategic oversight
Contribute to the development and approval of the Trust's strategic vision and objectives
Support strategic planning that balances educational excellence with financial sustainability
Monitor compliance with legal, regulatory and statutory requirements
Governance and accountability
Attend and actively participate in Board meetings (five per year)
Contribute constructively to Board discussions and decision-making
Maintain high standards of governance and adhere to the Nolan Principles of Public Life
Serve on a Board committee, contributing specialist knowledge where relevant
Act as a Link Director to a small number of schools, attending at least one Local Academy Committee (LAC) meeting per academic year (usually held in the evening)
Participate in Director development activities and training
Act with integrity, objectivity and in the best interests of the Trust
Relationship with the Chief Executive Officer
Develop a strong, professional and supportive working relationship with the CEO
Provide appropriate challenge and support, and act as a trusted sounding board on strategic and sensitive matters
Maintain clear boundaries between governance and executive management, enabling the executive team to increasingly stand on its own as its capacity grows
Challenge and support to Executive Leadership
Hold the CEO and executive team to account for the Trust's performance
Provide constructive challenge and support to executive leadership
Maintain appropriate boundaries between governance and operational management
Review and scrutinise performance data and reports
Financial oversight and risk management
Support effective financial management and oversight of the Trust's resources
Monitor financial performance and approve annual budgets
Support robust systems of risk management and internal control
Review and monitor the Trust's risk register
Safeguarding and standards
Ensure safeguarding is paramount in all Trust activities
Monitor educational standards and outcomes across Trust schools
Support the promotion of equality, diversity and inclusion
Stakeholder engagement
Act as an ambassador for the Trust and Catholic education
Attend key Trust events, celebrations and school visits where possible
Engage with school communities to understand their perspectives and experiences
Person specification, essential
A practising Catholic, able to provide a Certificate of Catholic Practice from their parish priest
A genuine commitment to Catholic education and to the principles of Catholic Social Teaching
Ability to think strategically and contribute to complex decision-making
Strong communication and interpersonal skills, and a collaborative, low-ego style that fits STCAT's collegiate, family-like culture
Ability to analyse information, ask challenging questions, and make informed judgements. You do not need to be a specialist in every area the Board covers; STCAT has professional advisers for that. What matters is the ability to interrogate the information you are given
Commitment to the Nolan Principles of Public Life
Understanding of governance principles, or a willingness to undertake training
Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
A strong commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children
Integrity, sound judgement, and the ability to maintain confidentiality
Ability to travel to meetings and school visits across the Trust's footprint from Luton to Buckinghamshire and Slough
Person specification, desirable
We welcome applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds and experience. An educational background is not required; the Board has found that Directors from different backgrounds can bring particularly valuable perspective, since the role is about governance rather than day-to-day school management. Depending on the current composition of the Board, we are particularly interested in candidates with expertise in one or more of the following areas:
Finance, accounting or audit
Human resources and people management
Legal or regulatory compliance
Property, estates or facilities management
Risk management
Safeguarding
Mental health
Technology and digital innovation
Marketing, communications or public relations
Governance experience in education or another sector
Key Responsibilities
Directors form the governing body of the Trust and share collective responsibility for its strategic oversight and governance. Working alongside the Chair and fellow Directors, each Director contributes their skills, experience and expertise to ensure the Trust delivers its Catholic mission while maintaining the highest standards of education and financial stewardship.
Directors play a vital role in holding the executive leadership to account, safeguarding the Trust's values, and ensuring compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements. As the Trust matures, Directors are also increasingly expected to help represent STCAT externally and to support the growth of the Board itself.
Director
Catholic ethos and mission
Champion and safeguard the Catholic character of the Trust and all its schools
Ensure the Trust's activities and decisions are consistent with Catholic teaching and the guidance of the Diocesan Bishop
Foster strong relationships with the Diocese, parishes, and local Catholic communities
Promote the spiritual development of pupils and staff across all Trust schools
Strategic leadership
Lead the development and implementation of the Trust's strategic vision and objectives
Support the Trust's shift from an internally focused, operational Board towards a more strategic, externally facing one
Ensure effective strategic planning that balances educational excellence with financial sustainability
Ensure compliance with all legal, regulatory, and statutory requirements
Board leadership and governance
Chair Board meetings effectively, ensuring all Directors contribute to discussions and decisions
Ensure the Board maintains high standards of governance, including adherence to the Nolan Principles
Lead on Director recruitment, induction and development, actively growing and diversifying the Board, including through associate and committee roles for strong local governors
Ensure appropriate delegation to committees and Local Academy Committees
Line Manage the CEO and the Trusts’s Governance Professional and conduct their annual performance reviews and oversee succession planning
Relationship with the Chief Executive Officer
Develop a strong, professional and supportive working relationship with the CEO
Provide appropriate challenge and support, and act as a trusted sounding board on strategic and sensitive matters
Maintain clear boundaries between governance and executive management, enabling the executive team to increasingly stand on its own as its capacity grows
External representation and stakeholder engagement
Represent the Trust to external stakeholders including the Diocese, DfE, Ofsted and local authorities
Act as the Trust's ambassador, building STCAT's profile and reputation as it moves into a more externally facing phase, for example through sector conferences, committees and diocesan forums
Build and maintain relationships with key partners and funders
Engage visibly with school communities, headteachers, parents and staff
Risk management and accountability
Ensure robust systems of risk management and internal control are in place
Monitor financial performance and ensure the Trust operates within its means
Ensure safeguarding is paramount across all Trust activities
Hold the executive team to account for the performance of the Trust and its schools
Person specification, essential
A practising Catholic (we will take up references with your Parish Priest at offer stage)
A genuine commitment to Catholic education and to the principles of Catholic Social Teaching
Significant senior leadership or board-level experience, gained in the public, private or voluntary sector; candidates from outside education are particularly welcome, as the Board has found this brings a valuable outside perspective
A sound, overall understanding of how organisational finances work, and the confidence to read and interrogate a complex budget. The Board does not expect the Chair to be a qualified accountant, but this cannot be a gap.
Experience of chairing meetings and managing group dynamics with warmth, authority and psychological safety
Direct experience of managing people, ideally including line management of a chief executive or other senior leader
Comfort operating in a visible, ambassadorial capacity, building relationships with headteachers, the Diocese and external stakeholders
A sound understanding of governance principles and best practice, including the Nolan Principles of Public Life
A collaborative, low-ego style that fits STCAT's collegiate, family-like culture, alongside the confidence to hold the executive team to account
Ability to travel regularly, and at times at short notice, across the Trust's footprint from Luton to Buckinghamshire and Slough
Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, and to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children
Integrity, sound judgement, and the ability to maintain confidentiality
Person specification, desirable
Previous experience chairing a board in a complex organisation
Understanding of the academy trust framework, education legislation, or Diocesan structures
Financial management experience and the ability to interrogate complex budgets
Existing networks within the Catholic community, the Diocese of Northampton, or the wider education sector
Chair of the Board of Directors
Key Responsibilities
The Chair of the Board of Directors co-ordinates the activities of the Board in having responsibility for the governance and strategic direction of St Thomas Catholic Academies Trust. Working closely with the Chief Executive Officer, Mark McLaughlin, whom the Chair line manages on behalf of the Board, and with fellow Directors, the Chair ensures the Trust remains faithful to its Catholic mission while delivering the highest standards of education and operational excellence.
The Chair provides visible, values-led leadership: building trust and psychological safety across the Board, enabling every Director's voice to be heard, and holding a steady course through a period of real organisational change. As STCAT matures and looks outward, the Chair will also take an increasingly prominent role representing the Trust to the Diocese, the Department for Education, and the wider Catholic education sector.
The opportunities
Finding our next Chair is the priority, but we know that a Chair-level advert can feel like a big step, and some excellent Directors go on to become excellent Chairs once they have got to know a Board. Our current Chair will be available even after a new Chair is appointed so a handover period or period shadowing the current Chair is possible. So, if you are drawn to STCAT but unsure which role fits your experience today, please raise this in your first conversation with Adam. We are very happy to talk about both.
The role profiles for the Chair and for a Director are set out separately below.