The De Curci Trust seeks committed new Trustees to help drive excellence, inclusion and strong governance across our Portsmouth schools.
Who we are
The De Curci Trust exists to provide excellent, inclusive education that transforms lives and strengthens our community. Based in Portsmouth, we educate over 1,700 pupils across three schools, each with its own identity but united by shared values and a commitment to high standards. Our schools serve diverse communities and we are dedicated to ensuring that every child, regardless of background, need or circumstance, can succeed.
We place particular emphasis on supporting vulnerable learners, including pupils with SEND, those eligible for pupil premium and service children. Our approach combines high expectations with strong pastoral care, ensuring that every child feels known, valued and supported.
Collaboration is central to our ethos. As hub leaders for Challenge Partners, we work closely with schools across the South Coast to share best practice and drive improvement. Our joint initiatives, such as pedagogy conferences, maths continuity projects and inclusive education programmes, strengthen professional practice and create seamless learning experiences across our schools.
Looking ahead, we are preparing for strategic growth, exploring partnerships that will allow us to extend our impact while maintaining our strong local identity. With Springfield School entering the DfE’s capital rebuild programme, we are also investing in modern, high‑quality facilities that will support our long‑term vision for excellence.
Learn more about our schoolsAbout the roles
Trustees of The De Curci Trust play a central role in shaping the strategic direction, governance and long‑term success of our schools. They hold collective responsibility for ensuring that the Trust fulfils its charitable objectives, complies with statutory and regulatory requirements and uses its resources effectively to deliver the best possible outcomes for pupils.
You will provide strategic oversight, constructive challenge and support to the executive team, ensuring that financial sustainability, risk management, safeguarding and educational performance remain strong and aligned to our values.
As a Trustee, you will also engage with data, policy and evidence to guide decision‑making and help the Trust respond to the opportunities and pressures facing the sector.
You will be encouraged to visit our schools, meet staff and pupils and engage with the lived experience of our community, ensuring that governance remains grounded in the realities of school life. This connection strengthens the quality of oversight and ensures that decisions reflect the needs of pupils, families and staff.
By joining our Board, you will help shape the future of education in Portsmouth, contributing your expertise to a Trust committed to high aspirations, strong relationships and continuous improvement at a time when the sector is undergoing significant change.
Who we are looking for
We welcome applications from individuals with a wide range of professional backgrounds who share our commitment to inclusive, high‑quality education and who can bring thoughtful, informed perspectives as the sector undergoes significant structural and regulatory change.
We are particularly keen to appoint Trustees who uphold the Nolan Principles, work collaboratively and contribute constructively to strategic discussions. We are seeking individuals who can act as a critical friend, offering both support and challenge to the executive team, and who demonstrate sound judgement, integrity and the ability to make impartial decisions in the best interests of pupils and the wider community.
We are especially interested in candidates with expertise in education, finance, audit, risk, legal, HR, safeguarding, SEND, marketing, communications, business leadership or organisational operations. However, we remain open to a broad range of professional experiences.
We want Trustees who can help us think differently, question assumptions and bring new insight to the way we work, particularly as we prepare for growth and respond to national developments affecting multi‑academy trusts. A commitment to attending meetings, visiting schools and engaging meaningfully with our work is essential, and we particularly encourage applications from individuals who reflect the diversity of our community.
Time commitment
We have eight meetings per academic year, along with ad hoc visits and conversations. We anticipate the time commitment to be a minimum of 2.5 hours per month.
Learn more about us
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 consultant at Peridot Partners:
Eddie Caviezel Cox | eddiec@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07951 920768
Thank you for your interest in this role. Please download the Application Form and Candidate Pack.
To formally apply, please submit the above application form and a 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: The De Curci Trust — Trustees” 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 or to arrange a confidential discussion, please contact our advising consultant at Peridot Partners:
Eddie Caviezel Cox | eddiec@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07951 920768
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.
Applicants with disabilities are welcome to contact us in confidence at any stage of the recruitment process to discuss any reasonable adjustments or support that may be required to ensure fair and equal participation.
Recruitment selection processes are based on evidence of competence stated in the person specification and in relation to our values.
Timetable
Closing date: 9 a.m. Thursday 10th September 2026
Candidates informed of outcome: Wednesday 16th September 2026
First stage interviews: w/c Monday 21st September 2026
We are in the process of confirming interview dates. Once confirmed, we will update the site and contact those who have applied.
Equal Opportunities Monitoring
Peridot and The De Curci 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.
The information provided does not form part of the decision-making process and will not affect your application. Learn more about why we collect this data here.
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