The Circle Trust will always hold governance in the highest esteem. As a Trust, we will always act in the best interests of our children and young people.
Quick Links: The Circle Trust l What does the Trust Board do? l What does being a Trustee involve? l What will I gain by becoming a Trustee? l Do I need any specific skills or experience? l Next steps l Election process and key dates l Application form
Parent Trustee Elections
Invitation from our Chair of Trustees to Parents and Carers to apply to stand for election as a parent Trustee
Since its formation in 2018, The Circle Trust has grown from two schools to a thriving family of eleven, serving over 5,000 children and their families and 750 staff across Wokingham, Henley-upon-Thames and Sandhurst. This growth reflects our vision: all children and young people deserve to have an excellent well-rounded education and to flourish in first rate schools.
We are now seeking two parents or carers to join our Trust Board. This is an exciting opportunity to help shape the future of our schools and contribute to the strategic leadership of the Trust.
This letter provides information on the Trust, the role of Trustee and the election process so you can make an informed decision whether to apply.
The Circle Trust
We are an educational charity with one purpose: to promote education for the common good.
Our values drive our behaviour and decision making:
- The highest educational outcomes for every learner is paramount.
- Preserving the unique identity and ethos of all partner schools is essential.
- To be anything but utterly inclusive is non-negotiable.
- Being self-reflective is essential in encouraging innovation, our Trust is always driven to improve further.
- We value strong clear moral purposed leadership.
- What we say is what we do, we recognise talent, foster expertise, believe well-being for all is fundamental.
- Our Trust promotes collaborating with others and being outward looking.
These values underpin the five year strategic plan the Board has set. Further information can be found on the Trust website.
What does the Trust Board do?
The Board provides strategic leadership, accountability and assurance, ensuring high standards of education, strong financial stewardship, and robust compliance with our legal and charitable responsibilities. The Board also plays a vital role in overseeing safeguarding, SEND provision, pupil welfare and the safety of the
Trust estate.
What does being a Trustee involve?
The Trust is a charitable company limited by guarantee. Trustees serve as both company directors and charity trustees with significant legal duties and responsibilities. In fulfilling their role, Trustees are expected to embody the Nolan seven principles of public life and uphold the highest standards of integrity and accountability. For detailed guidance, please see the Charity Commission’s The essential trustee: what you need to know, what you need to do and the Code of Conduct which all Trustees sign on joining the Board.
Being a parent Trustee is no different from being a non-parent Trustee. It simply defines the process by which you join the Board – it does not mean you represent the voice of parents.
Trustees work collectively to provide strategic direction and oversight – not day to day management.
The role includes attending Trustee meetings, preparing for discussion and decisions, engaging in training and continuous professional development, visiting schools and occasionally serving on panels for HR processes.
Typically, the Board meets five times a year and each Trustee Committee of the Board (Trustees are invited to serve on two) once a term with meetings held in the early evening. The five Trustee Committees are: Audit and Risk, Educational Outcomes, Human Resources, Finance and Nomination. We schedule most meetings in summer term before the start of the next academic year to help Trustees balance their governance and other commitments throughout the academic year.
The role can involve up to 10 days a year and is for a four-year term.
What will I gain by becoming a Trustee?
As a parent Trustee, you will be able to:
- help shape future education and improve children’s life chances
- develop leadership and governance expertise
- gain experience in strategic decision-making and oversight
- work alongside a committed and skilled Board
- contribute to your community while developing personally.
The role is entirely voluntary.
Do I need any specific skills or experience?
There are no specific, pre-requisite skills or experience. The qualities we seek align with the Confederation of School Trust’s description for the role of a Trustee which emphasises:
- strategic leadership – thinking strategically and contributing to long-term vision and priorities
- commitment to governance principles – upholding integrity, accountability and transparency
- ability to challenge and support – asking the right questions and offering constructive input respectfully
- collaboration – working effectively as part of a team
- commitment – to the role, active participation beyond meetings, ongoing governance development and training and to the Trust, acting as its ambassador
These qualities are essential, so Trustees uphold strong governance, drive improvement and ensure decisions are in the best interests of the Trust to realise our vision for every pupil to flourish.
Also essential is a commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and young people within our Trust – this sits at the heart of all we do.
Candidates will meet with members of the Nomination Committee as part of the application process in line with the Election Terms of Reference. This meeting provides an opportunity for candidates to discuss the role, expectations and to demonstrate the qualities we seek.
If elected, you will receive a comprehensive induction to support you in developing into the role.
Next steps
If you are eligible and wish to apply to stand for election as a Trustee, please:
- read carefully both the Election Terms of Reference and the candidate application form. The application form references the criteria by which you will be disqualified from serving as a Trustee (see Appendix 3 of the Trustee Code of Conduct ). If you apply, you will be certifying you are not disqualified by these criteria from becoming a Trustee.
- complete and submit the application form to governance@thecircletrust.co.uk not later than 12 noon on Friday, 27 February 2026. Any application received after this time will be invalid.
- note Monday, 16 March as the date reserved for candidates to meet Nomination Committee members. You should ensure you are available to attend this meeting which will be held at the Trust registered office that day and should last no more than an hour. You will be advised of the time of your meeting once the application window has closed.
- note you may choose to withdraw your application at any time before noon on Monday, 23 March by contacting the Director of Governance at governance@thecircletrust.co.uk
If (and only if) there are four eligible applicants who have confirmed they wish to stand, an election will be launched and I will write again to inform you of the voting process.
If this threshold is not met, we will continue to invite applications and may extend deadlines as necessary until the required number of eligible applicants is secured.
If six months from this letter, this threshold has not been met, the Board may, upon the recommendation of the Nomination Committee, appoint two registered parents to fill the vacancies.
Election process and key dates
The Election Terms of Reference document in detail the election process.
These are the key dates:
| Date | Action |
| Noon, Friday, 27 February | Deadline for receipt of candidate applications |
| Monday, 16 March | Candidates meet Nomination Committee (time to be advised after window for applications closed) |
| Noon, Monday, 23 March | Deadline for withdrawal of applications/confirmation by applicants they wish to proceed to ballot |
| If (and only if) there are four eligible candidates who have confirmed they wish to stand: | |
| Noon, Monday, 13 April | Record date for determining eligibility to vote/stand |
| Friday, 17 April | Launch of election online via Choice Voting |
| Noon, Tuesday, 5 May | Election closes |
| By Friday, 8 May | Election results announced via school email/Trust website |