Joining the °ÅÀÖÊÓƵÏÂÔØapp board of trustees is an exciting opportunity to shape the aims and objectives of the only national membership organisation for school governors, trustees and clerks/governance professionals in England.
Vote for our next trustees
This year we need to elect a trustee for three regions: West Midlands, South East and East Midlands. Nominations closed on the 20 October 2025 and candidates have submitted their supporting statements. We encourage our members to vote so their voices are heard. Learn more about the candidates, and how to vote:
About the board of trustees
The board comprises a talented mix of experienced school governors/trustees who bring to the table a wide range of valued business, education and charitable sector skills and knowledge. Trustees are ultimately responsible for directing the affairs of °ÅÀÖÊÓƵÏÂÔØapp and ensuring that it is is solvent, well-run and delivering the charitable objective to improve the educational welfare of pupils by promoting high standards and improving governance in state schools.
The °ÅÀÖÊÓƵÏÂÔØapp board of trustees is made up of nine elected members and up to four co-opted members. Trustees serve a term of four years and can serve for a maximum of two terms. One trustee is elected from each of the following regions:
- North East
- Yorkshire and Humber
- North West
- West Midlands
- East Midlands
- East of England
- London
- South East
- South West
°ÅÀÖÊÓƵÏÂÔØapp uses the regions that are formerly referred to as the government office regions of England.
How often do trustees meet?
Trustees meet eight times a year – four formal trustee meetings, two strategy and risk meetings, a board development day, one strategy day and a people and policy committee that meets as required. Meetings are held at °ÅÀÖÊÓƵÏÂÔØapp’s Offices in central Birmingham or remotely as required. Reasonable expenses are paid for travel and accommodation.
What are the eligibility criteria?
Your eligibility to stand depends on your membership category as follows:
- Individual Members: Home address must be in the region in which you are standing.
- Governing Board: The school must be situated in the region in which the candidate is standing. The nomination (for either a governor or the governance professional) must be approved by the chair, or, if the chair wishes to stand, the vice-chair of the governing board.
- Multi Academy Trust: The trust must be situated in the region in which the candidate is standing. The nomination (for either a trustee/governor or the governance professional) must be approved by the chair, or, if the chair wishes to stand, the vice-chair of the trust/governing board.
- Local Association: Must be situated in the region in which the candidate is standing. The nomination must be signed by the chair or where the chair wishes to stand the vice chair of the association.
- Corporate: Must be situated in the region in which the candidate is standing. Nomination must be signed by the most senior person in the organisation who is also listed on the °ÅÀÖÊÓƵÏÂÔØapp membership.
All candidates must, at the time of nomination and election, be:
- a serving governor/trustee or a serving clerk/governance professional to a governing body, academy trust board or academy committee (local governing body)
- eligible to stand in one of the vacant regions
- committed to °ÅÀÖÊÓƵÏÂÔØapp’s aims and charitable purpose and have the skills essential to be a trustee
Where can I get further information on the role?
- Trustee role description
- Trustee skills audit questionnaire (for information only at this stage)
- Code of Conduct for °ÅÀÖÊÓƵÏÂÔØapp board members
- Trustee register of interests form (for information only at this stage)
- Declaration of eligibility for trustees (automatic disqualification rules can be read )
When will the election result be announced?
The election result will be announced at °ÅÀÖÊÓƵÏÂÔØapp's Annual General Meeting to be held on Thursday 20 November 2025.