Bring your legal expertise to help shape the future of education across Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire. Join the Board of Potteries Educational Trust as a Trustee and help ensure strong governance, effective oversight and exceptional outcomes for young people.
Potteries Educational Trust (PET) is a growing multi-academy trust serving approximately 4,000 students across four academies in Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire. Our vision is simple but ambitious: to shape young people to transform the future.
We are seeking an exceptional individual with significant legal expertise to join our Board of Trustees, which is led by our Chair, Martin Jones. This voluntary appointment offers the opportunity to use your professional skills to support educational excellence, strengthen governance and contribute to our success and the futures of thousands of young people.
As a Trustee, you will work collectively with fellow Board members, providing strategic oversight, constructive challenge and informed support to our CEO, Heather McLachlan, and her executive leadership team. Your legal knowledge will help ensure that the Trust continues to operate with robust governance, strong compliance and effective risk management.
Who we are
At Potteries Educational Trust (PET), our vision is to shape young people to transform the future. We are a cross-phase developmental multi-academy trust (MAT) of four academies where learners aged 3 to 19 thrive:
- Werrington Primary School (3–11 years)
- Moorside High School (11–16 years)
- Biddulph High School (14–19 years)
- City of Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College (16–19 years)
Children and young people are at the heart of everything we do. Each one of our academies, like our learners, is different, equal and inclusive. We celebrate the uniqueness of each academy, honouring differences in context, phase and community as powerful strengths. We believe that diversity is not only valuable but essential, and our inclusive culture unites us through shared values of innovation, respect, community, aspiration, integrity and excellence.
Each academy brings its own distinct character, strengths and community connections, and we are proud to support and nurture these differences. It is this individuality that strengthens our collective identity and drives our success.
We have 450 talented staff and serve 4,000 students across Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire — almost 2,000 of these are at the City of Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College. Through collaboration, we share resources, expertise and innovation across PET to deliver exceptional learning journeys. Our commitment to digital and creative technologies empowers learners for a successful future, supported by well-resourced, highly trained staff.
All our academies are rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted, reflecting our dedication to educational excellence, continuous improvement and learner success through research-led practices. We share good practices through system leadership support.
As a beacon of excellence in the Midlands and beyond, PET is transforming lives through creative, digital and educational innovation. Our students progress to high-quality, highly skilled jobs and help to shape our region and our country’s future.
We believe that:
- Education doesn’t just change lives, it transforms communities
- Every learner, no matter their starting point, can achieve extraordinary things
- Belonging, ambition and brilliant teaching are the foundation of equity and excellence
- Our academies should innovate, reflect and celebrate the strength, pride and potential of Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire
About the role
Time commitment: 8-10 hours per month
Our trustees provide both support and constructive challenge, helping to guide decision-making and ensuring that PET operates with strong governance, robust accountability and a clear sense of purpose.
Following a recent review of the skills and expertise currently present on our board, and considering this against our ambitious strategy, we now seek to appoint an individual with legal expertise to our Board. We welcome candidates who can bring insight and guidance on matters including governance, regulatory compliance, contractual matters, and risk management while helping PET navigate opportunities and challenges with confidence.
The Board is responsible for ensuring that PETs vision, values and strategic objectives remain at the heart of everything it does. As a Trustee, you will work collaboratively with colleagues to monitor organisational performance, scrutinise key decisions and ensure that resources are being used effectively to deliver the greatest possible impact for children and young people.
While Trustees are not involved in the day-to-day operational management of the organisation, they play a critical role in holding executive leaders to account and providing informed, independent judgement on matters of strategy, risk and organisational development. Your contribution will help ensure that PET continues to provide outstanding educational opportunities for the communities it serves.
This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful difference at scale, influencing the educational experiences of thousands of young people PET’s family of academies. In return, you will join a committed and collaborative Board, contribute to an organisation with a strong sense of purpose, and apply your professional expertise to an environment where it can have lasting impact.
Who we are looking for
We are seeking an experienced legal professional motivated by the opportunity to use their expertise to make a difference in the lives of children and young people.
We welcome applications from legal professionals who have experience in the following areas:
- Education, public sector and/or charity law
- Corporate governance
- Employment law
- Commercial contracts
- Regulatory compliance
- Data protection and information governance
- Risk, assurance and legal governance
Previous Trustee or non-executive experience is welcome but not essential. We are equally interested in hearing from those exploring their first Board appointment who can bring strategic insight, sound judgement and a genuine commitment to our mission. As a Trustee, you will analyse complex issues, consider opportunities and risks, and contribute to the organisation’s long-term success and sustainability.
The successful candidate will demonstrate excellent judgement and personal integrity, combined with the confidence to offer constructive challenge and independent perspectives when required. Equally important is the ability to build positive relationships, work collaboratively with fellow Trustees and senior leaders, and contribute effectively to collective decision-making.
You will share our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, recognising the importance of creating an environment where every learner can thrive. Above all, you will be motivated by a belief in the transformative power of education and a desire to improve outcomes and opportunities for young people.
What matters most is a willingness to contribute your skills, experience and insight to help shape the organisation’s future and support our ambition to make a lasting difference in the lives of the communities we serve.
Peridot Partners and Potteries Educational Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and our client expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references before any final offer can be made.
To view the role description and person specification, please go to the ‘How to Apply’ tab above, fill in your details and download the candidate pack.
For further information or to arrange a confidential discussion, please contact our advising consultants at Peridot Partners:
Dan Baxter | dan@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07939 994524
Shaun Eden | shaun@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07951 509128
About Potteries Educational Trust
City of Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College
As the first purpose-built sixth form college in the country for over 50 years, we have been delivering post-16 education to students. We have helped over 30,000 young people reach their potential by progressing to universities, great jobs, and varied apprenticeships.
With a newly appointed Principal, Dr Simon Fox, starting in September 2026, and with a wealth of experience across our staff team, we are experts in the field of providing high-quality education for all. The college’s mission is ‘A caring community, delivering excellence and inspiring futures.’
With over 60 courses available, our education goes well beyond success in qualifications, encompassing a wide range of clubs, societies, trips, work experience and extra-curricular experiences to inspire and develop the wider skills of every student.
As a team of over 185 staff, we are devoted to preparing over 1,800 students to achieve more, making a meaningful impact on the world.
We are committed to constantly improving the quality of teaching, learning and assessment and inspiring our students to achieve more. In June 2023, Ofsted inspectors graded the College ‘Good’ with several excellent features and praised staff and students for creating a supportive learning community.
Stoke-on-Trent is a unique city, affectionately known as the potteries, with lots to see, visit and explore. The college is located at the heart of Stoke-on-Trent, adjacent to Stoke railway station, providing excellent travel links. We are in easy commuter distance, within up to an hour’s travel time from Birmingham, Nottingham and Manchester, to name a few.
In September 2017, the college became the founding member of the Potteries Educational Trust. Since then, we have continued to grow, working with many educational institutions from Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire and beyond, improving outcomes for all children and young people in the region.
As a member of staff, you will be encouraged to develop your skills and experience by working in collaboration with members of our growing Trust and our extensive professional development programme.
Whatever the ambition and passion of our students, the City of Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College provides a welcoming learning environment for young people from Stoke-on-Trent and the surrounding area and has outstanding facilities to support their learning and progression.
Biddulph High School
Biddulph High School is an Ofsted-graded ‘Good’ school. Our most recent Ofsted report recognised the “strong safeguarding culture at the school”.
In addition, the report reflected, “one pupil captured the views of many, describing the school as ‘one big family” and “…pupils feel happy and safe at school. They are considerate and thoughtful.”
Ofsted also praised the leadership of the school: “Leaders have made sure that each pupil feels part of the school community. They have put pupils’ interests at the heart of what they do and are ambitious for what they can achieve.”
Biddulph High School is a founding member of the Potteries Educational Trust. The school is in a middle school system and is truly inclusive, with 800 students, many of whom remain with us for post-16 studies in our sixth form.
Through consultation with students, parents, staff, governors and local employers, we have worked carefully to design a future-focused curriculum that is innovative, relevant and rooted in the real world. At Biddulph High School, we believe education should do more than prepare students for exams — it should prepare them for life.
The school serves a local town community and is proud to work with other schools in our local area, including our two local middle schools and our partner primary and first schools.
Schools and MATs in Biddulph collaborate closely to ensure clear curriculum progression, shared values and the best possible outcomes for all our learners.
At Biddulph High School, we enable young people to develop holistically, preparing them to be successful adults with a range of learning opportunities, experiences and staff who truly care about well-being. We care about every individual, staff and student and pride ourselves on our support and high expectations for one another.
All of our students are entitled to the highest quality of education and provision. Our core values of Community, Ambition, Respect and Excellence sit at the heart of everything we do. We prioritise high-quality teaching and learning and ensure every young person has access to a range of experiences and opportunities to grow and develop.
We also prioritise high-quality professional development and training for staff, to enable them to grow and develop as well.
Moorside High School
Moorside High School is an Ofsted-graded ‘Good’ school. Our latest inspection in February 2024 recognised that we are an inclusive and welcoming school. In addition, staff know their pupils well and have high ambitions for them. Pupils are courteous and respectful to others.
Moorside High School is an extremely popular and over-subscribed comprehensive school in the Staffordshire Moorlands and part of the Potteries Educational Trust. The Trust is a vibrant learning community, working hard in the areas that we serve to maintain and develop excellent and innovative teaching and learning.
Our school is a warm and friendly place to learn, where, with the help and encouragement of our staff and with the support of their parents, pupils can develop the knowledge, skills and personal qualities that are needed to achieve success both now and in the future.
As a school, we pride ourselves on our high standards, which enable us to provide a first-class learning experience for all students. We have a calm and supportive environment, which is characterised by respectful relationships between the teachers and students. There is a clear focus on delivering high academic standards for all students and we encourage all students to strive to reach their full potential. Moorside is a fantastic school — our students are our greatest asset and our staff are our greatest resource.
At Moorside, we are all about excellence! We inspire our students to achieve beyond the limits they thought possible. With a strong focus on academic achievement, we offer opportunities that empower our students to succeed. We set ambitious goals to surpass expectations and excel beyond imagination. Our curriculum goes beyond the classroom. We develop skills such as critical thinking, creativity, resilience and adaptability to enable students to succeed. Students engage in a range of enrichment opportunities that challenge and inspire.
Werrington Primary School
Werrington Primary School is a thriving, two-form entry primary school for children aged 3-11, including a purpose-built 52-place full-time nursery. The school is part of the Potteries Educational Trust and was most recently judged to continue to be a ‘Good’ school by Ofsted. Pupils, parents and staff are rightly proud of the school and its strong sense of community, captured in our motto: ‘Together we succeed.’
At the heart of Werrington is a clear and ambitious vision: Together, we inspire confident learners who will thrive in a changing world. We are committed to developing happy, resilient and motivated learners who are well prepared for their next stage of education and for life beyond school. Our pupils are encouraged to believe in themselves, take pride in their achievements and approach challenges with confidence and determination.
The school offers a rich, ambitious and carefully sequenced curriculum, designed to ensure pupils build secure knowledge and skills over time. Six ‘golden threads’ – equality, innovation, conflict, sustainability, community and migration – run through our curriculum, helping pupils to understand the world around them and their place within it. Reading sits at the heart of learning at Werrington and pupils quickly develop into confident, enthusiastic readers who read widely and with enjoyment.
Behaviour at Werrington is a significant strength. Our positive behaviour culture, known as ‘The Werrington Way’, is built on respect, effort and safety. Behaviour is explicitly taught, consistently reinforced and modelled by adults, resulting in calm, purposeful classrooms and pupils who are eager to learn. Pupils take pride in their school, support one another and are trusted with meaningful leadership roles as they move through the school.
Werrington Primary School is proud of its inclusive ethos. Pupils with SEND are well supported to access the same ambitious curriculum as their peers, with early identification, thoughtful adaptations and a strong focus on helping every child succeed. Pupils’ wider development is a key priority, supported through high-quality pastoral care, a dedicated well-being and inclusion team and a wide range of enrichment opportunities including clubs, educational visits and residential experiences.
Staff well-being and professional development are highly valued. Staff describe a supportive, collaborative culture where leaders are mindful of workload and staff feel listened to and valued. Leaders provide clear systems, high-quality training and strong support, enabling staff to focus on delivering excellent teaching and learning. Governance and trust leadership provide effective challenge and strategic direction, ensuring the school continues to grow and improve.
Werrington Primary School is more than a place of learning — it is the heartbeat of the local community. We foster positive partnerships with families, the wider Trust and external partners to ensure the very best outcomes for our pupils.
We are proud of what we have achieved together and excited about the future ahead.
Learn more about Potteries Educational Trust
Thank you for your interest in this role. Please download the Role Description and Person Specification.
To formally apply, please submit a CV and supporting statement (ideally maximum 2 sides of A4 each) that clearly outlines your suitability for the role against the criteria provided in the person specification, including your interest and motivation in applying for this position.
Please include your home address, contact email and mobile.
Please ensure that your application is emailed to response@peridotpartners.co.uk, inserting “Application: Potteries Educational Trust—Legal Trustee” into the subject field. You will receive an acknowledgement of receipt within 2-3 days. If you do not receive an acknowledgement, please contact our admin team.
For further information about the role or to arrange a confidential discussion, please contact our advising consultants at Peridot Partners:
Dan Baxter | dan@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07939 994524
Shaun Eden | shaun@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07951 509128
As a sector-leading executive search consultancy, we know the importance of creating recruitment processes that are fair, inclusive and free from bias. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a process that values differences.
If you require any job information in an alternative format (e.g. large print), please contact the lead consultant. Please also let us know if you would like to submit your application in an alternative format.
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Timetable
Closing date: 9 a.m. Monday 28th September 2026
Candidates informed of outcome: Tuesday 6th October 2026
We are confirming interview dates. Once confirmed, we will update the site and contact applicants.
Equal Opportunities Monitoring
Peridot and Potteries Educational Trust are committed to promoting equality and diversity. To help us raise awareness and support a culture that is diverse and recognises and develops the potential of all, we need to appreciate the profile of candidates who apply for positions. We will send you an equality monitoring survey at the point of receiving your application and at the time of placement. This ensures that our processes remain inclusive and equitable throughout, and provides us with important data to help us showcase our impact.
The information will be treated confidentially and anonymously and will help us to support our commitment to fair recruitment practice. All information provided will be held in the strictest confidence and will not be shared with anyone, in line with the Data Protection Act 2018 launched on 25 May 2018.
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